Birkirkara win, set up Anderlecht qualifier in women’s Champions League

BREZNICA 1-2 BIRKIRKARA
Marijana Jankov 17 (Breznica); Yuna Hazekawa 60, 109 pen. (Birkirkara)

Birkirkara cancelled a one-goal deficit to beat Montenegro’s Breznica and set up a high-profile qualifier against Belgium’s Anderlecht in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Vince Galea’s Stripes will host the Belgian champions this Saturday, with the winner advances to the second qualifying round of this competition.

The Maltese side have now beaten Breznica for the second straight year and have now made it three wins in their latest three participations in European football.

Birkirkara threatened first when midfielder Gabriella Zahra directed the ball towards goal just to be inches wide from putting the Stripes ahead.

The Stripes continued to try and pile the pressure on Breznica, but for all their possession the Maltese champions could not set up more clear-cut chances.

On the other hand, Montenegro’s champions were sitting back, wary of Birkirkara’s threat while looking to catch their opponents on the break.

At the first time of asking, Breznica forged ahead through Marijana Jankov who met a cross from the right and beat goalkeeper Maya Cachia.

Before half-time, the Maltese champions came close to level terms on a couple of occasions.

First, Luana Cabral was denied by the woodwork after a close-range header before Yuna Hazekawa’s freekick was blocked by Breznica’s goalkeeper.

At the break, Birkirkara made one change with Brazilian forward Erica Bispo coming on for Francesca Chircop.

American winger Calista Schechinger tried to set the tone immediately when she fired a shot from tight angle, but could not find the target as Birkirkara continued to trail by one goal.

Midway into the second half, Breznica’s central defender Aleksandra Vujosevic was sent off after a second yellow card, boosting Birkirkara’s hopes of turning the game to their favour.

From the result free-kick, Cabral tested Breznica’s goalkeeper who quickly diverted the ball into corner.

Birkirkara took advantage of their numerical advantage almost immediately when Japanese midfielder Hazekawa’s low drive beat Breznica’s goalkeeper.

The Japanese tried to put Birkirkara ahead with a solo effort just to see her shot glance past Breznica’s custodian, before repeating the same effort and producing the same outcome moments later.

Raina Giusti tried her luck with a curling effort from the edge of the area but Svetlana Milic was alert to avert the danger.

Birkirkara tried to stage a late rally but they could not snatch a winner, with the game heading into extra-time.

In the second half of extra-time, Birkirkara were given a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were given a penalty after a clear handball infringement inside the box.

From the spot, Hazekawa converted the penalty to put the Stripes ahead.

PLAYED WEDNESDAY

Anderlecht (Belgium) 4-1 Red Star Belgrade (Serbia)

SATURDAY

Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) vs Breznica – 5.45pm, Centenary Stadium.

Anderlecht (Belgium) vs Birkirkara – 9.15pm, Centenary Stadium.