Qormi 0
Birkirkara 2
Camenzuli 83; Ledesma 90;
Birkirkara survived the stifling humidity and a resilient challenge from Qormi as Ryan Camenzuli's perfectly-hit strike gave the title hopefuls a much-needed lift.
Still smarting from their 3-2 defeat to Balzan, the Stripes were forced to dig deep into their reserves of energy and willpower as, for long swathes of this combative encounter, they struggled to overpower their industrious opponents who had good reason to feel aggrieved by the result after giving as much as they got.
The result was in the balance as Qormi, inspired by Frank Temile and Albert Bruce, were posing problems to Birkirkara on the counter but Rafael Ledesma's introduction late on proved decisive.
The Brazilian embarked on a strong run, sidestepping the sliding Bjorn Bondin, to set up Camenzuli for the crucial opener seven minutes from time before applying the killer blow with a second goal in stoppage time after receiving from Liliu.
Young midfielder Antoine Borg was drafted into Birkirkara's starting XI as Edward Herrera joined Gareth Sciberras on the sidelines while midfielder Edmond Agius was only certified fit to start on the bench.
Coach Paul Zammit deployed Borg on the right wing in a 3-1-4-2 formation that had Brazilian Liliu partnering debutant Vyacheslav Shevchenko up front.
Qormi also had some key players missing, namely Jonathan Bondin, Argentine defender Mauricio Mazzetti and left-back Emerson Vella.
Temile, yesterday gunning against his former team-mates, was charged with the onus of stretching Birkirkara's three-man defence with his agility and running down the channels.
Inside the opening four minutes, Liliu outpaced Roderick Sammut but his angled effort was wide.
Birkirkara remained generally in control but Qormi had a dangerous outlet in Temile.
Liliu's knack of drifting wide from central positions made him a tough customer for the Qormi defenders. On one occasion, the Brazilian pulled clear on the left only to be brought down by Duncan Pisani.
His low cross from the ensuing free-kick rolled into the goalmouth with the ball flashing just wide of the near post after taking a deflection.
At the other end, Temile embarrassed Alejandro Mendoza with his feints but the Nigerian overdid it and his cross found no takers.
A minute past the half-hour mark, Liliu had a low drive saved by Matthew Farrugia.
Eight minutes from half-time, Birkirkara thought they had taken the lead when Liliu's cross from a right-wing corner was met with a firm header from Matheus Bissi but Farrugia was alert to keep the ball out.
The Qormi goalkeeper again came to his side’s rescue when tipping away Bissi’s piledriver as, with Qormi dropping back, the Brazilian seized the opportunity to push forward from his anchoring midfield role.
Nigerian Alfred Effiong came on for Viggiani at the start of the second half.
Bissi tried his luck with a long-range free-kick but Farrugia saved with ease.
Qormi made a chance of their own when Temile veered infield from the left and crossed for Effiong who teed up Bruce but the latter's half-volley was high and wide.
Birkirkara coach Zammit made an attacking change as he brought on the pacy Leighton Grech for Borg.
On the hour, Qormi had the ball in the net as Bruce, one of their best players, freed Anderson who hammered past Justin Haber but the defensive midfielder was offside.
Both teams brought more intensity to their game as the second half gathered momentum.
The erstwhile subdued Shevchenko had a header saved by Farrugia from Liliu's cross and Temile blasted wide after embarking on another penetrating run.
With 14 minutes remaining, Grech swung in a dangerous cross from the right but Kurt Zammit, who had just entered the fray, rammed wide.
Qormi were holding their own but their efforts were undone by those two late strikes which were greeted with a sigh of relief by the Birkirkara fans.
Qormi
M. Farrugia-7, B. Bondin-6, Anderson-7, J. Chetcuti-5.5 (62 R. Micallef-5.5), D. Pisani-6.5, R. Sammut-6, S. Agius-7, Z. Levnaic-7, A. Bruce-7.5, P. Viggiani-4 (46 A. Effiong-6.5), F. Temile-7.5.
Birkirkara
J. Haber-6, M. Bissi-7, Liliu-7.5, N. Vukanac-6.5, V. Shevchenko-5.5 (75 R. Ledesma-7.5), A. Mendoza-6, P. Fenech-5.5, Z. Muscat-6, R. Scicluna-5 (75 K. Zammit-6.5), A. Borg-6 (55 L. Grech), R. Camenzuli-6.
Referee: Mario Apap.
Yellow cards: Bruce; Bondin; Vukanac; Bissi; Effiong.
BOV player of the match: Matheus Bissi (Birkirkara).
Attendance: 943.