Birkirkara Complete Comeback In Extra-Time To Set Up Tie Against Anderlecht

Birkirkara secured a 2-1 victory against ten-player Breznica Pljevlja, following extra-time. Breznica Pljevlja nudged forward through Marijana Jankov. However, Yuna Hazekawa equalised for Birkirkara, before the Montenegrin champions went down to ten. Breznica Pljevlja held on to force extra-time, but Yuna Hazekawa converted from the spot to send Birkirkara through to Saturday’s final.

Team Selections

Breznica’s Miljana Rondovic started with Svetlana Milicic in goal. She was protected by a back four consisting of Majda Dresevic, Aleksandra Vujosevic, Marija Maras and Anastasija Bulic. Enida Bosnjak and Mia Baturan protected the defence, while Marijana Jankov orchestrated further forward. Captain Tatjana Osmajic started on the right wing, while Milijana Pavlovic started on the left, while Dunja Bojanic led the attack.

Birkirkara’s Vince Galea started with Maya Cachia in goal, protected by central defensive duo of captain Stephania Farrugia and Charlene Zammit, while Valentina Rapa and Mariah Cardona brought up the width. Gabriella Zahra protected the defence, while Yuna Hazekawa and Luana Vitoria Cabral debuted in the competition in midfield. Calista Schechinger also debuted, on the left wing, while Alishia Cassar started on the opposite side. Francesca Chircop led the attack.

How It Unfolded

Birkirkara’s support was in full voice as the whistle blew to initiate proceedings. The home team were calm against Breznica Pljevlja’s press, before the rain arrived within the first ten minutes to add another splash of excitement to the match.

The home side invigorated the support by having the first major opportunity of the match from a free-kick, which Luana Vitoria Cabral did well to win. Yuna Hazekawa launched toward Valentina Rapa, who timed her run to get free of her marker, but headed straight down Svetlana Milicic’s throat.

Breznica Pljevlja were calm in playing the counter-attack and had their first opportunity shortly after. Milijana Pavlovic held up well, before linking with Marijana Jankov, only for the delivery into Dunja Bojanic to be overcooked.

However, the side broke the deadlock just two minutes later. Dunja Bojanic kept up the chase against Charlene Zammit, before snatching at the ball and linking with the arriving Marijana Jankov. She fired a shot into the bottom right corner of the goal to send her team into the advantage.

Despite going a goal down, Birkirkara were still keen on building attacks to get back into the match and they had a major opportunity just after the half- hour mark. Gabriella Zahra found Alishia Cassar on the wing. She delivered the cross onto the head of Luana Vitoria Cabral, whose header smashed into the woodwork.

Shortly after, Valentina Rapa looked to play in Francesca Chircop, whose header was blocked for a corner, but Breznica Pljevlja survived the attack. The Montenegrin champions were looking to get stuck in with the list of bookings starting to grow on Louise Thomspon’s card. Meanwhile, the team was in no hurry to get things going, with the lead in hand.

Half-Time Score: Breznica Pljevlja 1 – 0 Birkirkara

Both coaches made a change at the break. Birkirkara’s Vince Galea brought on Erica Bispo in replacement of Francesca Chircop in attack, while Breznica’s Amra Mehovic started in midfield instead of Mia Baturan.

Birkirkara commanded possession from the start of the half, but struggled to get quality into the final third. However, things changed when Aleksandra Vujosevic clipped Luana Vitoria Cabral, earning a second yellow and an early trip to the dressing room in the 57th minute.

Birkirkara’s Charlene Zammit vehemently claimed a penalty in the box from the resulting corner, which the officials dismissed. However, the home team was soon in eruption as Yuna Hazekawa opened the space for the shot and fired across into the bottom left corner to level things. The home crowd was on their feet and in full voice.

Nela Kolic took to the pitch to make up for the missing player, as Breznica Pljevlja settled in to take things to penalties with a player down. Meanwhile, Raina Giusti came on for Birkirkara, replacing Mariah Cardona, with Calista Schechinger shifting to left-back.

Birkirkara kept up the possession, looking to push forward to find the second. Yuna Hazekawa was well found by Raina Giusti, before curling an effort towards the far corner, but getting underneath the strike. Breznica responded with a chance of their own as Tatjana Osmajic darted up the right wing. However, the cut-back was dealt with by Yuna Hazekawa.

Raina Giusti was set up by Erica Bispo, with Birkirkara’s number thirteen attempting to place it into the far top right corner. However, Svetlana Milicic shuffled well to get behind the shot.

Breznica were happily parked in their defensive stance, but managed to cause some panic with a counter-attack as Milijana Pavlovic surged forward. Charlene Zammit headed to Maya Cachia, with the goalkeeper clattered into on the follow-through and winning the free-kick.

Yellow cards were still being dished out at will, with tackles flying in from the Montenegrin champions. Birkirkara were forced into another change in injury time as Luana Vitoria Cabral gave way to Amelia Vassallo. The youngster got in on the action straight away, being found by Erica Bispo in space, before attempting to release Alishia Cassar. However, Breznica’s defence deflected for a corner which the Montenegrin champions defended successfully, before the referee signalled for extra-time.

Full-Time Score: Breznica Pljevlja 1 – 1 Birkirkara

As extra-time began, the game continued in the same vein but with plenty of fatigue setting into both sides. Birkirkara were still the dominant on possession and looking to find a way to make the extra player pay.

The side managed a good opportunity in the 94th minute, as Calista Schechinger crossed towards Erica Bispo, who just got underneath the finish from the six-yard box.

The Montenegrin champions managed to create good opportunity through Tatjana Osmajic who led from the front. The captain surged on the left wing, before diving into the six-yard box but finding Maya Cachia ready to collect.

Vince Galea freshened things up at the back bringing on Martina Fenech in replacement of Valentina Rapa. The Stripes turned defence into attack quickly through Stephania Farrugia shortly after, but her attempt to release Raina Giusti was read by Marija Maras.

However, fortunes changed for the home side as the final fifteen minutes of extra time loomed, with the referee Louise Thompson pointing to the spot after Marija Maras was deemed to have handled the ball in the box. Yuna Hazekawa was calm as a cucumber, firing it into the top right corner to make it two for herself and for Birkirkara on the night, relieving tension in the stands and on the pitch.

Breznica Pljevlja introduced their final change with Ena Spahic making an appearance instead of Enida Bosnjak. Milijana Pavlovic was the next to go in the book, after clipping Calista Schechinger. The Stripes ran down the clock, with Stella Francalanza also making a late appearance in replacement of Erica Bispo.

Final Score AET: Breznica Pljevlja 1 – 2 Birkirkara

Next Matches

Birkirkara secure a place in Saturday’s final, where they will face RSC Anderlecht at the Centenary Stadium at 21:15. The Stripes make this the third win in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, marking a three year streak in which they succeeded to earn a victory.

On the other hand, Breznica Pljevlja will no doubt be disappointed to have lost the match so late on, but will look to return to winning ways in the competition against Red Star Belgrade. The two will face each other to determine the third place in the group on Saturday at the Centenary Stadium at 17:45.

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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