For the second consecutive year, and the fourth in the club’s history, Bikirkara FC made it to the second qualifying round of the Europa League after beating NK Siroki Brijeg of Bosnia Herzegovina with a 3-1 aggregate score.

Yesterday, at the Hibernians Stadium, in the return leg, Birkirkara took a first half lead through Sirna Dimitrov and were rewarded with a second goal late in the second half through an own goal by Mirkovic,off a Plut cross shot.

Birkirkara deserved their win and despite the heat and humidity they played the more flowing football to keep their opponents at bay for most of the match.

Birkirkara made only one change from the side that drew 11 away against same opponents the previous week. Shaun Bajada started instead of Ryan Camnzuli. Emerson Marcelina played in front of the back four as Birkirkara crowded their midfield with Ryan Scicluna, Garteh Sciberras, Sgaun Bajada and Srdan Dimitrov in a 4-5-1 formation.

Boosted by that first leg scoreline, it had quickly become apparent that Birkirkara would play with no inferiority complex and fancied their chances of qualification.

Just under five minutes, a Sciberras shot, on a Zerafa cross, was blocked. Two minutes later keeper Soldo was called to save off Plut’s shot.

The Stripes looked clearly superior to their opponents, who only looked dangerous on 20 minutes when Santos failed to connect with his head on an inviting Coric’s cross from the right.

Birkirkara made the breakthrough towards the half hour. Marcelina played a through ball for the advancing Srdan Dimitrov to beat the Brijeg keeper at the near post.

The Stripes could have added further goals before the opening half was over. Scicluna played a through ball to Plut who contrived to miss when only in front of the goalkeeper. And with halftime looming, Dimitrov robbed Coric of the ball, advanced inside the Brijega area, but his effort was defelcted into a corner.

The pattern of the match did not change much in the second period. Birkirkara carved out a couple of half chances and went close to doubling their lead when Scicluna’s shot on the turn was well saved by Soldi.

But as the Stripes seemed to tire out past the hour, Brijeg increased their efforts. Birkirkara keeper Kopric had to stretch himself to hold out Santos’ goal bound effort after 54 minutes.

On 72 minutes Koric again reached for a high ball off Cmov’s cross from the left, to avert the danger.

But Birkirkara summoned enough effort to score a second goal 14 minutes from the end. A quick burst of acceleration from Vito Plut put him clear down the left flank and his cross shot was deflected by Mitrovic inside his own net.

That goal killed off the match. Brijeg looked demoralized and unable to inflict any danger as Birkirkara were through to the next round on their own merits.