Neftci 1
Jairo 20
Balzan 2
Micallef 50, 67
(Neftci win 3-2 on aggregate)
Neftci: K. Santini, Jairo, A. Abdullayev (77 F. Muradbayli), E. Abdullayev (90 R. Mammadov), R. Gurbanov (69 J. Imamverdiyev), M. Agayev, R. Hajiyev, V. Sikov, M. Isayev, D. Melnjak, E. Castillo.
Balzan: C. Cassar, J. Grioli, P. Fenech, B. Manevski (46 L. Micallef), D. Grima (82 C. Brincat), S. Bezzina, A. Effiong, F. Anderson, E. Serrano, Oliveira, B. Kaljevic.
Referee: Yaroslav Kozyk (Ukraine).
Missed penalty: Fenech (B) 57.
Balzan almost made it an unprecedented third Maltese team past the first round of a UEFA club competition after bowing out to Neftci despite beating the Azeris 2-1 in Baku yesterday.
Lydon Micallef was the protagonist for Oliver Spiteri’s team as the young striker came off the bench to score two well-taken goals that propelled Balzan to their first ever victory in European football but still lost the tie 3-2 on aggregate.
However, the Reds will feel aggrieved by the final outcome after missing a second-half penalty through Paul Fenech that would have enabled them to join Valletta and Birkirkara past the first hurdle of their respective competition.
Balzan started the match on the offensive and inside the opening 10 minutes they had three chances to take the lead.
After three minutes, Borce Manevski’s effort was blocked by a defender.
Then, defender Bruno connected to Manevski’s delivery from a corner but his header finished just wide while Bojan Kaljevic’s shot just missed the target soon after.
The Reds continued to create chances and on 17 minutes Alfred Effiong burst into the area but his shot finished just wide.
Balzan were made to pay for these misses as Neftci took the lead on 20 minutes. Rahman Hajiyev picked Jairo and he headed past goalkeeper Christian Cassar.
Balzan tried to regroup from that setback and Manevski came close but Neftchi goalkeeper Krsevan Santini was alert to block.
Instead it was the hosts who almost doubled their lead just before the break but Araz Abdullayev failed to find the net.
On the restart, Spiteri withdrew Manevski and roped in Micallef. The move reaped instant dividends as on 50 minutes Balzan drew level.
From a quick break, Effiong picked Micallef inside the area and he sidestepped Santini before drilling his shot into an empty net.
A minute later, Santini was alert to push away Justin Grioli’s curling shot from a free-kick.
Then, the visitors Balzan had a good chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty.
Vance Sikov handled the ball inside the area but from the spot Fenech fired his shot wide.
But the Reds held composure and on 67 minutes Micallef made it 2-1 after being set up by Effiong.
Balzan sensed they could turn the tie in their favour. A third goal would have seen them through.
Fenech stormed into the area and backheeled the ball to Dylan Grima but his angled drive just missed the upright.
In stoppage time, Steve Bezzina also came close but made poor contact with the ball inside the box as Neftci held on to book a second qualifying round clash against Shkendija, of Macedonia.