Joseph Mbong tries to break through against FC Ballkani. Photo: Domenic Aquilina
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 0
FC BALLKANI 2
Ismajlgeci 63, Karrica 75 pen
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
H. Bonello, M. Ellul, D. Letherby (62 S. Attard), L. Montebello, J. Mbong, R. Prsa, Ellonay (62 Vitao), J. Corbolan, Mayron (84 Talison), E. Marcelina (30 S. Xerri) , R. Lopes.
FC BALLKANI
E. Kolici, A. Potoku, G. Halili, L. Emerlahu, A. Kryeziu (88 G. Smajli), W. Hamidi (88 A. Halitjaha), M. Ismajlgeci (79 B. Tolaj), A. Thaqi, B. Karrica (82 Giovanni), B. Jashanica, Queven.
Referee: Michele Beltrano (San Marino).
Yellow cards: Freitas, Prsa.
Henry Bonello and the Ħamrun defence had a night to forget as FC Ballkani beat the Spartans with two second-half goals to progress to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.
The Ħamrun goalkeeper gifted the Kosovo side the lead before Mayron conceded a penalty in an uncertain defensive display from the Malta champions.
Eyeing a home victory to qualify after the goalless draw in Kosovo, the Spartans were on the receiving end of a 2-0 upset to crash out of the UEFA Conference League.
The deficiencies of Ħamrun were ruthlessly drummed home as FC Ballkani’s intelligent use of possession, technical ability and physical superiority had Ħamrun gasping for breath for most of the game.
The Kosovans’ superior organisation and expert finishing were evident through as FC Ballkani drove home their superiority with two late goals to dampen the Ħamrun Spartans’ fans who filled every corner at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
Alessandro Zinnardi favoured a fluid 4-4-2 formation that had Daniel Letherby taking up screening duties in front of defence. Raphael Lopes was Ħamrun’s target man up front as the roaming Elionay Freitas was given instructions to link midfield and attack. Luke Montebello was detailed to push upfront on the left flank.
FC Balkani had been the brisker team in the first half, not surprising really given their edge in match fitness but the Spartans refused to buckle.
Ħamrun’s gameplan was to keep it tight as the back with the Brazilian Emerson Marcelina deployed alongside Mayron with Juan Corbolan deployed on the right and Mattias Ellul patrolling the left flank.
But the already depleted resources at the back, at the disposal of Zinnardi were further stretched when Marcelina had to retire injured early in the match. His place was taken by Sven Xerri.
Although the visitors were the most enterprising side, a couple of surging runs by Corbolan showed that Ħamrun’s threat on the counter was not to be discarded.
On 17 minutes, the Malta defender hit a rasping shot which was deflected into a corner.
Bernard Karrica’s darting run on the right flank caught the static Spartans’ rearguard unawarenes, he strode unimpeded before squared the ball towards the centre. Almir Kryeziu fired a low shot which was blocked by Ellul. This came after 21 minutes.
At half-time, Zinnardi made some positional switches with Freitas dropping into midfield and Letherby supporting Lopes.
This allowed the Brazilian midfielder to play one-two passes with Montebello and Lopes in tight spaces and penetrate the Kosovan defence.
Eleven minutes into the second, a good move by Ħamrun culminated in Joseph Mbong attempting a through-ball to Lopes, but Enea Kolici came out to advert the danger.
Moments later, Kryeziu embarked on a mazy run before hitting a low drive that was partially parried by Henry Bonello but Ellul was by his side to clear the danger.
FC Ballkani continued to look dangerous, although the Kosovan side would not have expected to be handed the lead by their opponents.
Mayron looked to have cleared any danger when dispossessing Marsel Ismajlegeci as he bore down on goal. The defender passed the ball back to Bonello who sent a woeful ball straight at Ismajlegeci who arched the ball over the backtracking goalkeeper who slipped on the ground.
Ten minutes later, the Ħamrun goalkeeper looked to have regained his composure with a diving save to keep out Queven’s drive but Mayron hauled down Ismajlegeci in his bid to anticipate the striker on the rebound.
From the ensuing spot kick, Bernard Karrica sent Bonello the wrong way to seal the qualification.
1 Comment