Franklin Sasere converted two penalties as Birkirkara defeated nine-man Balzan 2-0 in a match from the VBET Malta Premier Opening Round league phase at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Sunday.
Birkirkara, therefore, revived hopes of securing a Top 6 as this win puts them temporarily in sixth place. Balzan, on the other, hand saw their chances diminish.
The Stripes took the lead one minute in added time just before the end of the first half when Lucas Macula floored Jan Busuttil on the edge of the area and Franklin Sasere converted from the penalty spot.
Birkirkara were awarded another penalty on 79 minutes when Zachary Grech pushed Zach Muscat inside the area with the Balzan defender sent off receiving a second yellow card and was therefore sent off; from the penalty spot, Franklin Sasere made no mistake to double the score.
With four minutes to go, Gabriel Santos also received a second yellow card and was therefore sent off.