Fearless Stripes in a goal-less draw against Hearts

by Ayrton Galea - 15th July 2016

Birkirkara FC played their hearts out to earn a goal-less draw against Heart of Midlothian, to ensure that they will be travelling to the second-leg with an open chance of writing history and advancing to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

The Stripes stole the limelight with their disciplined tactical performance in a match where few scoring opportunities were created. They showed great character to keep their shape even when Hearts stepped-up their level in the second half. The Stripes kept the second consecutive clean-sheet in this competition and remain unbeaten after three matches.

Coach Besek showed faith in last week's first-eleven selection, but he was forced to make one change. Predrag Jovic, who was still recovering from muscular injury, was unavailable. Emerson Marcelina was deployed as centre-back to fill the space of Jovic, while Guillaumier was handed his first European match start.

The Stripes lined-up a 4-1-4-1 formation. Kopric defended the posts, Bubalovic and Marcelina formed the centre-backs while Attard and Zerafa started on the sides. Guillaumier started as the defensive shield in front of the defence, supporting Sciberras and Dimitrov who got the nod to push forward when in possession. Bajada and Scicluna patrolled the wings while Plut started as the centre-forward.

The First Half

The Stripes survived an early scare after just two minutes when Hearts had the ball at the back of the net following a close-range effort by Conor Sammon but the visitors' joy was short-lived as the goal was cancelled due to an offside position.

Birkirkara showed confidence in the opening stages. Srdjan Dimitrov had a direct free-kick from the left that forced goalkeeper Jack Hamilton to save in two attempts. Hearts replied two minutes later, when Jamie Walker avoided Cain Attard but his low shot was too weak to worry Kopric as his effort ended wide.

With Hearts starting with an offensive three men in the forward line, there might have been some fear that the Birkirkara defence was going to struggle to keep them at bay. However, Bubalovic and Marcelina were doing an excellent job, especially in the air balls were not an inch was conceded to the Hearts' forwards.

Bubalovic who had been an asset at the back, had to be stretchered out mid-way through the first-half with a head injury. However, after minutes of medical attention, and a few stitches later, he was able to return to play, applauded by the Birkirkara supporters.

In the meantime, Hearts' Coach Robbie Neilson, was forced to make his first substitution. Perry Kitchen suffered an injury, and he was replaced by Don Cowie, who was returning for the Hearts after missing the first-round matches.

Birkirkara went to closest to break the deadlock four minutes from half-time. Bajada sent an excellent cross into the box to Scicluna, who controlled well before having his volley hitting the side-netting.

The first-half saw the Stripes heading to their dressing room in a goal-less draw, following a great forty-five minutes of tactical discipline.

The Second Half

Goalkeeper Kopric had to be alert to save a fine header of Alim Ozturk following a corner kick from the right at the start of the second half. Moments later, Prince Buaben fired over with a first-time shot from outside the box.

Birkirkara threatened before the hour-mark. Kopric distributed an excellent long-ball to the on-running Cain Attard on the right flank, who cut to the middle before trying his luck with a shot from outside the box, but his effort ended wide.

Hearts almost broke the deadlock on the sixty-second minute. Centre-back Alim Ozturk hit a fierce drive from distance which surprised Kopric but his effort smashed against the crossbar.

The Stripes replied just two minutes later. Shaun Bajada delivered an accurate second-post cross in the path of Vito Plut who rise high to meet the ball but his effort ended wide as the Stripes continued to show no signs of fear from their opponents.

With Hearts frustration on the rise, Neilson included another offensive player in the form of Juan Manuel Delgado Lloria off Conor Sammon, in the last sixteen minutes.

The Birkirkara Coach affected his first substitution when Frank Temile replaced Shaun Bajada nine minutes from time as Besek sought for a fresh pair of legs up-front. Bajada was given a well-deserved standing ovation by the Birkirkara supporters for his excellent performance.

Hearts put more men forward in the last five minutes but it was only a header from a corner kick that could have worried Kopric, but the effort ended over.

In the additional time of the second half, midfielder Bruno Marotti, who joined our Club last week, made his debut as he replaced the hard-working Ryan Scicluna who looked tireless in his excellent match. Moments later Edison Bilbao replaced Srdjan Dimitrov who also enjoyed a terrific performance and was always a threat when in possession.

The referee's full-time whistle found the Stripes earning another positive result to remain unbeaten in this UEFA Europa League's campaign and leave their chances wide open of earning a spot in the third qualifying round.

BIRKIRKARA: Miroslav Kopric, Cain Attard, Christian Bubalovic, Emerson Marcelina, Joseph Zerafa, Matthew Guillaumier, Shaun Bajada (81' Frank Temile), Gareth Sciberras, Ryan Scicluna (90+1' Bruno Marotti), Srdjan Dimitrov (90+2' Edison Bilbao), Vito Plut.

HEARTS: Jack Hamilton, Callum Paterson, Faycal Rherras, Igor Branco Rossi, Alim Ozturk, Perry Kitchen (30' Don Cowie), Jamie Walker (82' Sam Nicholson), Prince Buaben, Arnaud Djoum, Conor Sammon (74' Juan Manuel Delgado Lloria), Liam Smith.

Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (BUL).
Assistant Referees: Ivo Kolev (BUL), Georgi Doynov (BUL).
Fourth official:Stefan Apostolov (BUL).

Yellow Cards: 52' Emerson Marcelina (Birkirkara), 67' Callum Paterson 89' Arnaud Djoum (Hearts).

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