Brave Birkirkara through to the second qualifying round

This is the fourth time that Birkirkara managed to go through the first round of the qualifying phase. Last year, they managed to do so as well when they eliminated Fc Ulisses of Armenia.

Birkirkara coach, Drazen Besek made one change to the team that obtained a 1-1 draw in Bosnia Herzegovina as Ryan Camenzuli was replaced by Shaun Bajada.

Birkirkara went on the attack from the beginning and had chances on goal through Gareth Sciberras and Vito Plut. However, both efforts were blocked.

The stripes went ahead on the 29th minute after Srdjan Dimitrov received from Plut and went on the left flank before slotting the ball past Antonio Soldo.

Plut had another good chance on the 42nd minute when after receiving a through pass, he sent his shot inches wide.

Siroki Brijeg tried to put pressure on the stripes throughout the second half, but despite their efforts, the stripes doubled the score on the 76th minute. Vito Plut sent a ball toward Matthew Guillamier which was deflected by Markovic, who sent the ball into his own net.

Birkirkara will now face either Fc Infonet (Estonia) or Heart of Midlothian (Scotland).

Birkirkara starting line-up: Koprić, Bubalovic, Sciberras(C), Emerson, Dimitrov, Plut, Bajada, J. Zerafa, Scicluna, Attard, Jovic.

Široki Brijeg starting line-up: Soldo, Pandža, Ćorić, Plazonić, Krstanović, Baraban, Wagner(C), Sesar, Brekalo, Crnov, Marković.

Yellow cards

Zerafa, Jovic, Kopric (Birkirkara)

 Coric, Baraban, Brekalo, Barisic (Široki Brijeg)

Referee

Rahim Hasanov (AZE)