BOV Premier League | Balzan 0 – Birkirkara 0

In a match between two sides desperate for points, Balzan and Birkirkara shared the spoils in a goalless draw.

Photo: Dominic Borg
Photo: Dominic Borg

Balzan created the first chance on goal after three minutes. Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes hit an angled shot that sailed wide.

Birkirkara replied on the 8th minute. Following a long ball forward, Luke Montebello’s shot ended up marginally off target.

Riise’s men threatened again on the 19th minute. Marcelo France de Siqueira tried his luck from distance, but his effort landed on the roof of the net.

On the 28th minute, De Fiore Mendes drilled a low shot that was saved by Kristijan Naumovski.

Balzan kept on insisting and went close again on the 37th minute. Ivan Bozovic’s delivery was met by Andrija Majdevac who finished off target.

Five minutes from time, Ljubomirac received the ball from Bozovic inside the penalty area, but saw his effort going wide.

Birkirkara started the second half on the offensive and created another chance early in the second half. Montebello’s shot was tipped for a corner by Sultana.

After this chance, both sides exchanged possession inside the centre of the pitch as supporters had to wait until the 70th minute in order to witness a chance on goal. Majdevac ran inside the penalty area, but could not hit the target.

On the 82nd minute, Matthew Guillaumier of Birkirkara saw his close range effort being saved by Sultana.

Birkirkara were reduced to ten men on the 84th minute. Substitute Terence Agius was sent off following a tackle on Paul Fenech.

This result satisfy neither side as both of them need points if they are to stand any chance of clinching a place in Europe.

Balzan starting line-up: Steve Sultana, Aleksandar Kosoric, Nenad Sljivic, Siraj Arab Eddin, Steve Bezzina, Paul Fenech, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes, Andrija Majdevac, Milos Lepovic

Birkirkara starting line-up: Kristijan Naumovski, Danilo Chapoval, Matthew Guillaumier, Mislav Andjelkovic, Maurizio Vella, Luke Montebello, Jake Grech, Kurt Zammit, Eduardo Ferreira dos Santos, Cain Attard, Marcelo Franca de Siqueira

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Theodore Zammit
Fourth Official: Stefan Pace

BOV Player of the Match: Steve Sultana (Balzan)