Birkirkara rescue a point in 2-2 draw with Balzan

Birkirkara came back from two goals down to earn a point in a 2-2 draw with Balzan at the Hibernians Stadium on Wednesday.

After failing to impress in recent outings, Balzan managed to build a two-goal lead by the end of the first half but the Stripes hit back with two goals early in the second half to level matters. Balzan have now gone seven matches, earning five points in five draws, losing the other two matches.

Balzan had a perfect start, taking the lead on the 5th minute thanks to a great goal by Uros Ljubomirac who received a pass on the left and pulled to a more central position before beating goalkeeper Alessandro Guarnone with a fine rising shot. 

One minute from the end of the first half, Stefan Dimic was brought down inside the area by Oscar Carniello and from the penalty spot, Augustin Loof made no mistake.

Ten minutes in the second half, Birkirkara reduced the arrears through Federico Falcone whose powerful shot from the right beat goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes after a Roderick Briffa freekick created havoc inside the area.

Birkirkara equalised six minutes later when off a short clearance by the Balzan defence, Claudio Bonanni served Cain Attard inside the area and the latter controlled the ball before beating Vranes with an angled shot from the right.

Two minutes from time, Birkirkara could have notched the winner but Luke Montebello was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a header following a corner by Caio Henrique Prado from the right.

B’KARA Alessandro Guarnone, Enrico Pepe, Yannick Yankam, Luke Montebello, Roderick Briffa (Reginald Mbu Alidor 85’), Kurt Zammit, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Claudio Bonanni, Caio Prado, Oscar Carniello.
Coach: Andre Paus

BALZAN Vukasin Vranes, Augustine Loof, Samir Arab, Paul Fenech, Steve Pisani, Steve Bezzina (Gary Camilleri 72’), Uros Ljubomirac, Stefan Dimic (Alfred Effiong 88’), Pedro Mota (Neil Frendo 92’), Sean Cipriott (Eric McWoods 72’), Moussa Kamara.
Coach: Mark Miller

Referee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Duncan Spencer
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: C. Attard, O. Carniello, F. Falcone, C. Prado (B); S. Dimic, P. Fenech, P. Mota (B)
BOV Player of the Match: Uros Ljubomirac