Balzan 0
FK Zeljeznicar 2
Bajic 3 pen, 13;

This was always going to be a difficult test for Balzan.

Conceding a goal three minutes into their European debut hardly aided Balzan’s cause against an experienced and well-deployed team like Bosnia’s FK Zeljeznicar.

Rijad Bajic, the young Bosnian striker singled out by Balzan coach Oliver Spiteri as Zeljeznicar’s most dangerous player, lived up to his billing as he struck a brace inside the opening 13 minutes to all but seal his team’s win.

Zeljeznicar’s early flurry set the tone for a generally one-sided first half in which Balzan, missing a clutch of key players, seemed overwhelmed by the importance of the occasion as well as the reputation of their opponents.

The sizeable crowd of Balzan supporters who turned up to watch their club’s first game in European football will have feared the worst after Bajic’s early double but the home side gave a much better account of themselves in the second half.

Spiteri’s troops had a more solid look about them as they not only defended better but also sought to offer more of a threat up front, albeit they hardly threatened the Zeljenicar keeper, Marijan Antolovic.

Still, their efforts on this historic occasion for the club were appreciated by the supporters who applauded the Balzan players at the end of the match despite the 2-0 defeat that all but wrapped up Zeljeznicar’s passage to the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

Spiteri was unable to field new signing Godwin Mensha as the Nigerian’s international transfer certificate arrived after the UEFA deadline.

With Bojan Kaljevic still recovering from an ankle injury and Gianmarco Piccioni seeking pastures new, Spiteri deployed captain Dylan Grima as a makeshift striker with Lydon Micallef offering support from the right wing in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Christian Cassar was preferred to Italian newcomer Valerio Senatore in goal.

Bosnian striker Bajic fronted Zeljeznicar’s 4-2-3-1 approach.

The game started on the wrong footing for Balzan as, within three minutes of the start of the game, Finnish referee Dennin Antamo awarded Zeljeznicar a penalty after Clive Brincat was adjudged to have pushed Jasmin Bogdanovic inside the box as the latter tried to reach Ognjen Djelmic’s cross from a free-kick.

Bajic sent Cassar the wrong way.

Balzan’s evening took a turn for the worse when, on 13 minutes, the Bosnians extended their lead.

The Reds paid the price for their soft defending as Zeljeznicar managed to force their way through a posse of defenders. Djelmic’s run created a melee with the ball dropping kindly Bajic who rifled past Cassar.

Zeljeznicar’s supremacy was all too evident in these early stages and a couple of debatable decisions from Antamo only served to intensify Balzan’s exasperation.

Apart from the penalty episode, the Finnish ref angered Balzan for not showing a yellow card to Jovan Blagojevic, for a late tackle on Terence Agius, and, only minutes later, he cautioned Justin Grioli for a similar offence.

As the first half wore on, Balzan improved sufficiently to keep Zeljeznicar away from their goal but their lack of flair in midfield and a toothless attack undermined their efforts to gain ground.

The absence of Kaljevic and midfielder Ryan Fenech, who joined Balzan in the close season, further compounded matters for Balzan.

Nine minutes from half-time, Zoran Kokot hit wide from outside the box. Cassar then denied Zeljeznicar a third goal when pushing away Djelmic’s drive.

Balzan finally began to show signs of life in attack when the second half started. Spiteri switched Edison Zarate to attack with Grima moving to the right wing.

Micallef was also making his mark on the left.

Fourteen minutes into the second half, Micallef surged past three players only to be fouled.

At the other end, Djelmic advanced on the right before squaring to Kokot who hit wide. A low effort from Bajic was blocked by Cassar but Balzan were now having a go at their opponents.

When Antamo issued the first yellow card to a Zeljeznicar player, substitute Damir Sadikovic, the Balzan supporters responded with a sarcastic applause.

The rhythm of the game dropped in the closing stages but, in the first minute of stoppage time, Cassar thwarted the visitors when fisting away Enis Sadikovic’s dipper.

After the game, police officers had to intervene after a group of Zeljeznicar supporters tried to attack two Serbian men who were at the game.

Balzan
C. Cassar, J. Grioli, L. Micallef (90 S. Cipriott), E. Zarate, D. Grima (84 R. Darmanin), S. Bezzina, L. Sciberras (78 S. Arab), C. Brincat, T. Agius, E. Serrano Valero, I. Guobadia.

FK Zeljeznicar
M. Antolovic, J. Kvesic, A. Kosoric, J. Blagojevic, O. Djelmic, P. Livaja, J. Bogdanovic, Z. Kokot (83 S. Diatta), R. Bajic, A. Hadziahmetovic (76 E. Sadikovic), D. Beganovic (56 D. Sadikovic).

Referee: Dennis Antamo (Finland).

Yellow cards: Agius; Grioli; Brincat; Serrano; Zarate; Sadikovic.

Champions League
Qualification round, first legs
Pyunik vs Folgore - 2-1
Lincoln RI vs Santa Coloma - 0-0
Crusaders vs Levadia - 0-0

Second legs: July 7.

Europa League
Qualification round, first legs
Balzan vs Zeljeznicar - 0-2
FC Progres vs Shamrock - 0-0
Renova vs Dacia Chisinau - 0-1

Second legs: July 9.