Birkirkara 0
Balzan 0
Birkirkara failed to sparkle in an uninspiring match that saw the well-oiled Balzan rely on their fighting qualities and tactical cohesion to nullify their neighbours’ flair.
After a dismal opening period, in which Birkirkara had been a pale shadow of their usual selves, confirming their Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde reputation, they improved in the second half but could not break down Balzan whose resistance was epitomised by goalkeeper Steve Sultana.
Despite their opaque showing, Birkirkara can, ironically, be satisfied to have taken a point against Balzan after conceding a last-gasp goal in a 3-2 defeat in the corresponding first-round fixture.
Deprived of defender Matheus Bissi, suspended, Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit was able to bank on Serbian Nikola Vukanac who recovered from injury.
Shola Shodiya Haruna replaced Rafael Ledesma. Opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation, Zammit instructed his forwards, Liliu, Eliandro and Haruna, to interchange up front.
Balzan were boosted by the return of Osa Ice Cream Guobadia and Clive Brincat who missed the 1-1 draw with Qormi.
Oliver Spiteri deployed Guobadia in front of defence with Oscar Guerrero and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza dropping off main striker Gianmarco Piccioni in attack.
Birkirkara had to wait until the 18th minute to get a shot on target but Liliu’s effort was blocked by Sultana in two attempts.
After Justin Haber, the Birkirkara goalkeeper, made a routine save to block Mifsud Triganza’s central shot, the Stripes’ first notable foray into their opponents’ half came after 42 minutes. Haruna’s through-ball released Paul Fenech who shot straight at Sultana.
Quiet, unproductive exchanges marked the opening minutes of the second half. Neither side was able to make headway in attack with the result that the two goalkeepers were virtually inactive.
However, past the hour mark, Birkirkara almost struck gold but the woodwork denied Ryan Camenzuli. Liliu pounced on the rebound but his volley was stopped by Sultana.
As the end of the game loomed large, Birkirkara stormed forward with renewed urgency but three minutes from time, they suffered a blow.
Midfielder Ryan Scicluna was given his marching orders for a late tackle on Edison Bilbao Zarate.
In the dying minutes, Birkirkara’s Kurt Zammit, on for Eliandro, served Liliu in the box but the Brazilian was anticipated by the onrushing Sultana.
Birkirkara
J. Haber-6, Liliu-6, N. Vukanac-6, Eliandro-5.5 (84 K. Zammit), S. Haruna-5.5, P. Fenech-6 (85 E. Agius), Z. Muscat-5 (38 E. Herrera-5), R. Scicluna, G. Sciberras-5, A. Mendoza-5.5, R. Camenzuli-6.
Balzan
S. Sultana-7, J. Grioli-6, S. Bezzina-6, O.S. Valero-6, E. Bilbao Zarate-6, O. Guobadia-6, C. Brincat-6, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5 (53 L. Micallef-5), O. Guerrero-5.5, L. Sciberras-6 (80 D. Grima), G. Piccioni-5 (90 R. Darmanin).
Referee: Philip Farrugia.
Yellow cards: Scicluna; L. Sciberras; Fenech. Red card Scicluna (Birkirkara) 87.
BOV player of the match: Steve Sultana (Balzan).
Attendance: 612.