Birkirkara were eliminated from the UEFA Conference League after losing 3-0 to FC Petrocub of Moldova in the second leg of the first qualifying round at the Stadionul Zimbru in Chisinau on Thursday.
Petrocub, therefore, proceed to the second qualifying round with a 3-1 aggregate score.
Birkirkara coach Stefano De Angelis opted for one change from the first leg as Kemar Reid was preferred to Macula.
Petrocub made their intentions clear right from the start, going close to taking the lead after just five minutes with Victor Bogaciuc hitting the crossbar with a shot from outside the area.
Shots by Ion Bors and Jessie Djou from outside the area ended just wide for the Moldovans and on 37 minutes, goalkeeper Miguel Martinez came to the rescue blocking a Mihai Lupan effort from close range.
However six minutes from the end of the first half, Petrocub forged ahead when off a cross by Sergiu Platica from the left, Mihai Lupan controlled the ball and rounded a defender before beating Martinez with a rising shot from a close angle.
Ten minutes in the second half, Petrocub doubled the score. Maxim Cojocaru released Ion Jardan on the right and off the latter’s assist, Mihai Lupan placed the ball at the back of the net.
Lucas Macula went close for Birkirkara with a close-range header but goalkeeper Silvio Smalnea turned the ball into a corner on 68 minutes. Two minutes later, Franklin Sasere, served by Satariano, had a powerful shot from the left blocked by the Petrocub goalkeeper.
Petrocub sealed the issue with a third goal on 77 minutes when Jessie Djou intercepted a clearance by Marjanovic and served Nicolae Rotaru who beat Martinez with a shot from outside the area.
PETROCUB Silviu Smalenea, Vladimir Ambros (67’ Dan Puscas), Sergiu Plătică, Maxim Cojocaru (73’ Petru Popescu), Maxim Potîrniche, Mihai Lupan (73’ Nicolae Rotaru), Cedric Ngah, Jessie Djou, Ion Bors, Victor Bogaciuc (90+3′ Dan Spataru), Ion Jardan (90+3′ Dumitru Demian).
BIRKIRKARA Miguel Martinez, Luis Córdova, Stefan Marjanovic, Kemar Reid, Alex Satariano, Leandro Lacunza, Neil Micallef (57’ Macula), Franklin Sasere, Marcos Maydana, Geoffrey Acheampong (78’ Jan Busuttil), Donovan Makoma.
Referee: Oguzhan Çakir TUR
Assistant referees: Abdullah Özkara TUR, Bersan Duran TUR
Fourth official: Ozan Ergün TUR