Late goal sinks Birkirkara in Ljubljana

A goal by Mustafa Nukic eleven minutes from time handed Olimpija Ljubljana a narrow win over Birkirkara in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round at the Športni Park Ljubljana-Šiška in Ljubljana.

Birkirkara played a good game against a higher ranked side and were therefore unlucky to concede a goal late in the game.

Coach Andre Paus named an unchanged side from the team which drew 1-1 with La Fiorita last week, including new signings Leandro Aguirre and Jeferson Macedo as substitutes late in the game.

The hosts scored the all-important goal eleven minutes from time thanks to Mustafa Nukic who received an assist from the left and despite being surrounded by three Birkirkara defenders still managed to control and hit past goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes.  

The return leg will be played at the Centenary Stadium on Thursday 29. The team which qualifies will be facing the winner of FC Shkupi 1927 of North Macedonia vs Santa Clara of Portugal in the third qualifying round.

OLIMPIJA Nejc Vidmar, Mustafa Nukic, Timi Elsnik, Eric Boakye, Erik Gliha (62’ Michael Pavlovic), Svit Seslar (89’ Enrik Ostrc), Sava Petrov (62’ Gal Kurez), Antonio Delamea Mlinar, Uros Korun, Tomislav Tomic, Aldair.

B’KARA Daniel Fernandes, Enrico Pepe, Yannick Yankam, Luke Montebello, Roderick Briffa (85’ Jeferson Macedo), Kurt Zammit (79’ Leandro Aguirre), Diego Venancio, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Claudio Bonanni (74’ Ryan Sclcluna), Oscar Carniello.

Referee: David Fuxman (ISR)

Assistant referees: Sagy Metzamber, Omer Barbiro (ISR)

Fourth official: Nael Odeh (ISR)