Birkirkara FC 4 - 3 Santa Coloma

by Matthaeus Grasso - 6th July 2010

Birkirkara are through to the next round thanks a 4-3 victory over Andorra's FC Santa Coloma in a highly-exciting match. With this second leg result, our team has managed to register a 7-3 aggregate victory.

Birkirkara welcomed back Branko Nisevic and Angus Buhagiar but Mr. Paul Zammit had to operate without the services of the Dutch forward, Sylvano Comvalius.

As from the first minute, Birkirkara's aims were clear to notice, as our team was constantly looking for ways to extend the lead. This was exactly what happened, as on the 10th minute, a perfect cross by Shaun Bajada was perfectly met by the club's best scorer, Michael Galea, who put the supporters of the 'Stripes' in delirium.

Nine minutes later, Birkirkara went close once again, when a cross by Trevor Cilia and a flick-on header from Michael Galea found Andrew Decesare, whose powerful shot was blocked by an opposing defender.

FC Santa Coloma equalized on the 21st minute thanks to Norberto Leonardo Urbani, as he received the ball inside the area before skipping past Lovizon before slotting the ball in the empty net.

On the 31st minute, the 'Stripes' restored a four goal aggregate lead when it was the same Michael Galea who put the ball into the net after a perfect through pass by Paul Fenech.

Four minutes later, two became three as Trevor Cilia found the net with a low shot after a pinpoint pass by Thomas Paris.

On the 45th minute, FC Santa Coloma reduced the gap when a freekick by Manel Jimenez, was deflected by a defender, with Lovizon jumping to one side, and the ball ending in the other.

This result did not last long as in first half stoppage time; Trevor Cilia found the net yet again. It was a shot by Paul Fenech which was partially saved by the Santa Coloma goalie, in came Trevor Cilia who had no problem to put the ball into the net.

The second half was played at a slower tempo, where FC Santa Coloma seemed to lack any motivation of going through to the next qualification round, and with the 'Stripes' seemingly over-confident that the result was in the bag.

Ten minutes after the restart, a cross by Paul Fenech was tipped on by Michael Galea before reaching Nikola Vukanac whose header ended wide.

In a dangerous counter attack, the FC Santa Coloma goalkeeper tripped in his own penalty area, which allowed Trevor Cilia acres of space on the far-right of the opposing penalty box, however, the prolific winger failed to put the ball in the empty net, as his shot cruised high and wide.

In the 85th minute, FC Santa Coloma reduced the gap to just a single goal, as thanks to a corner from the right, Alforiso Sanchez's effort was neutralized by the Birkirkara goalie, with the rebound reaching the path of Alforiso, who put the ball into the net for the final time.

The full time whistle found the numerous Birkirkara supporters applauding the players for the achieved qualification, and at the same time urging the players to contribute more in the next qualification round.

Birkirkara will be once again in action next Tuesday at the Centenary Stadium, for the 2nd round of the Uefa Champions League, where this time, the 'Stripes' will battle it out against the Champions of Slovakia, MSK Zilina.

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