FK Žalgiris of Lithuania scored twice in the second half to beat Hamrun Spartans 2-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round at the FK Žalgiris stadium in Vilnius on Wednesday.

A harsh result on the team led by Giacomo Modica, who was making his debut as coach of Hamrun Spartans, considering that the Spartans created several goal scoring opportunities thanks to which they could have left Vilnius with definitely a more favourable result.

At this point, the Spartans need to beat Žalgiris by at least three goals on Monday at the Centenary Stadium or by two goals to force extra-time.

Giacomo Modica handed new recruits Rafael Compri, Domantas Simkus, Matias Garcia and N’Dri Koffi their debut along with Nikolai Micallef who was making his return after two years on loan with Naxxar Lions. Another four new players – Merlin Hadzi, Saliou Thioune, Mouad El Fanis and Junior Djile were included as substitutes.

The Spartans held the initiative in the opening minutes but on 18 minutes, the Lithuanians missed an excellent opportunity when Henrique Devens hit wide when all alone in front of Bonello. Hamrun replied with a rising shot by Ryan Camenzuli from the edge of the area ending high and on 26 minutes, Matias Garcia had a shot from the edge of the area ending high. Seven minutes from the end of the first half, Joseph Mbong pounced on a long through pass and rounded a defender but his attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Carlos Olses.

Eight minutes in the second half, Deves hit home off a cross by Antal but the goal was disallowed for an offside. However six minutes later, they were not to be denied when off a freekick by Tavares from the left, Yuri Kendysh headed the ball in the direction of Liviu Antal who anticipated Bonello to place the ball at the back of the net.

Hamrun replied with a cross by Jovan Cadjenovic from which N’Dri Koffi headed just over the bar on 64 minutes while eleven minutes later, substitute Eder seemed to have been brought down inside the area by Matulevicius but the referee waved play on.

However, five minutes from time, substitute Kassim Hadji, who had just replaced Devens, doubled the score when he latched on a pass by Ofori and slotted the ball past Bonello.

One minute from time, Joseph Mbong concluded a good move on the left with a fine shot which was neutralised in style by Olses and three minutes from time, Cadjenovic had a close range header saved by the Lithuanian goalkeeper.

The team which qualifies for the second qualifying round would be facing FC Dynamo Kyiv of Ukraine while the eliminated side would enter the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round Champions Path where they would face the loser of the clash between Shelbourne FC of Ireland and Linfield FC of Northern Ireland.

ZALGIRIS Carlos Olses, Luka Dumancic, Henrique Devens (84′ Kassim Hadji), Ebenezer Ofori, Giedrius Matulevicius, Ovidijus Verbickas (90+3′ Dino Salcinovic), Vasilije Radenovic, Jons Moutachy, Bruno Tavares, Yuri Kendysh, Liviu Antal.

HAMRUN Henry Bonello, Rafael Compri, Nikolai Micallef (63′ Merlin Hadzi), Matias Garcia (90+6′ Saliou Thioune), Joseph Mbong, N’Dri Koffi (90+6′ Junior Djile), Jovan Cadjenovic (90+6′ Mouad El Fanis), Ognjen Bjelicic, Domantas Simkus (75′ Eder), Marcelina Emerson.

Referee: Sandi Putros DEN
Assistant referees: Martin Markus DEN, Daniel Cortzen DEN
Fourth official: Morten Krogh DEN
Video Assistant Referee: Jakob Kehlet DEN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Danny Kolding DEN