Balzan and Birkirkara earned a point each in a 3-3 draw in the opening match from the first phase of the Opening Round of the 360Sports Malta Premier at the National Stadium on Friday.
Balzan had an edge over their opponents in the first half and were quick to turn a one-goal deficit in a 2-1 lead. However Birkirkara levelled matters thanks to a penalty and after Balzan regained the lead thanks to another penalty, a third penalty – the second for Birkirkara – enabled them the Stripes to rescue a point. The hero for Birkirkara was Maxuell Samurai who notched a hat-trick.
Both sides had a number of new faces making their debut. New Balzan coach Dave Rodgers handed Nicholas Pulis, Isaac Westendorf, Henri Stanic, Kevin Williams, Udoyen Akpan and Mosawer Ahadi a start with Carson Buschman-Dormond being included as a substitute. On the other hand, new Birkirkara coach Stefano De Angelis named Giacomo Volpe, Manuel Morello, Agustin Sandman, Maicon and Shaun Dimech in the starting line-up while Pablo Gaitan, Leandro Lacunza and Laton were included as substitutes.
Birkirkara took the lead on the 13th minute when off a Paul Mbong corner, Shaun Dimech delivered a cross from the right and Maxwell Samurai headed home past goalkeeper Danilo Golovic.
Balzan, however equalised on the 17th minute when off a Jan Busuttil corner from the right, Henri Stanic headed home from close range.
Five minutes from the end of the first half, Balzan went 2-1 ahead when off an Akpan cross from the left, Jan Busuttil served Nicholas Pulis whose low shot from outside the area beat goalkeeper Giacomo Volpe.
Two minutes in added time, Maxuell Samurai was brought down inside the area by Kevin Williams and from the penalty spot, the Brazilian made no mistake.
Four minutes in the second half, Alex Satariano floored Udoyen Akpan inside the area and the latter converted from the penalty spot.
Ten minutes from time, Birkirkara were awarded another penalty after Maxuell Samurai was fouled inside the area by Nicholas Pulis and Samurai scored to restore equilibrium.