Birkirkara 1
Camenzuli 43;
Diosgyor Vtk 4
Elek 30; Husic 62, Barczi 66; Marjanovic 90;

(Diosgyor win 6-2 on aggregate)

The perennial weaknesses that have beset Maltese clubs for years on end were again laid bare yesterday as Birkirkara’s erstwhile high hopes of progressing to the second qualifying round of the Europa League were crushed by a ruthlessly efficient Diosgyor side.

A narrow 2-1 defeat in the away leg had heightened Birkirkara’s optimism ahead of the home game but their chances had been seriously compromised before kick-off after key defender Zach Muscat was ruled out of the game due to issues relating to his UEFA registration.

Already deprived of Brazilian centre-half Matheus Bissi, suspended, Paul Zammit’s defensive options were further weakened by Muscat’s unavailability which probably forced the Birkirkara coach into a last-minute tactical change.

The injury-enforced absence of captain Gareth Sciberras further complicated Zammit’s task but his players took to the field determined to give Diosgyor a stern challenge.

For much of the opening half, Birkirkara were more than a match for their opponents but a soft goal on the half-hour torpedoed their chances.

They did well to hit back with the enterprising Ryan Camenzuli levelling the score on the day but after an encouraging start to the second half, Birkirkara unravelled, losing their tactical shape, especially in defence, as Diosgyor struck twice in the space of four minutes to secure their passage to the next round, winning 4-1 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate.

For all their commitment, several Birkirkara players failed to rise to the challenge yesterday, especially Spanish goalkeeper Adrian Murcia Sanchez who was at fault in at least two of Diosgyor’s goals.

Birkirkara lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Ryan Scicluna supporting behind lone striker Terence Vella while Leighton Grech and Camenzuli were deployed on the wings. Edmond Agius, a close-season signing from rivals Valletta, filled the void left by Sciberras in central midfield.

Diosgyor coach Tomislav Sivic made some changes from the initial leg with goalkeeper Botond Antal replacing Croatian Ivan Rados who had a disappointing game last week.

Serbian striker Miroslav Grumic was the attacking spearhead as Sivic opted for 4-2-3-1.

The first 15 minutes were bereft of scoring chances as the two teams adopted a cautious approach.

A promising opening beckoned Birkirkara when Spanish defender Alejandro Mendoza, venturing upfield after Birkirkara were awarded a free-kick, retrieved the ball in the penalty area but his cross was cut out by Andras Debreceni.

Midway into the first half, Camenzuli produced a curling shot from a central position but his effort was blocked by Antal.

Birkirkara were hardly troubled by Diosgyor for much of the opening 25 minutes but their efforts were undone by a soft goal.

Grech, tracking back as the Hungarians poured forward, looked to have anticipated Agos Elek as the latter tried to latch on to a pass.

The Birkirkara winger’s clearance was short as Elek charged past him before hitting a speculative shot from a tight angle which caught Birkirkara goalkeeper Sanchez by surprise, much to the delight of the vocal Diosgyor fans.

Having lost 2-1 away, Birkirkara were now facing an uphill task as they needed to score two goals to level the tie on aggregate.

A dipping shot from Scicluna landed on the roof of the net as Birkirkara, clearly lacking the firepower provided by Jhonnattann and Shola Haruna last season, tried to muster a reaction.

Two minutes from half-time, Birkirkara gained a lifeline.

Fenech played a crucial role as his excellent through-ball from midfield unlocked the Diosgyor defence and Camenzuli nipped in from the blindside to ram the ball past Antal.

Zammit tried to add flair to his team’s attack by introducing Rafael Ledesma for Agius with Scicluna dropping back to support Fenech in midfield.

Ledesma’s first contribution was to hit a swerving free-kick that was pushed away by the DVTK goalkeeper. On another occasion, close to the 55th minute, Antal stopped a central drive from Fenech.

The Stripes began the second half in brisk fashion but their hopes were effectively ended two minutes past the hour. Diosgyor restored their lead, courtesy of Bosnian defender Senad Husic who beat Sanchez with a low angled drive.

Four minutes later, Diosgyor hit their third goal to go 5-2 ahead on aggregate.

Birkirkara were again found wanting at the back as Andras Gosztonyi profited from the glaring gaps on the left wing as he surged clear before picking out substitute David Barczi who poked the ball home from close in.

The hosts were shell-shocked. Camenzuli, one of Birkirkara’s better performers, came close to narrowing the deficit as the Malta U-21 winger forced his way past a posse of defenders but his grounder was marginally off target.

With 11 minutes remaining, Diosgyor threatened again when Husic again made headway on the left before laying the ball back for substitute Mark Nikhazi who lifted his shot over the bar.

Birkirkara should have reduced the deficit when Ledesma’s set-piece cross from the left found Mendoza at the far post.

The Spaniard flicked the ball across the face of goal before Vella picked it up but his cross found no takers.

The two teams were now conceded more space in defence as the game became stretched.

Nikhazi again hit wide after another surging run by Husic while, at the other end, Camenzuli’s well-hit strike was kept out by Antal.

Ledesma then served Lucky Omerou, who had replaced Grech, but the Nigerian’s effort was blocked by Antal.

Birkirkara’s rout was complete in the dying stages when Lazar Marjanovic, another second-half substitute, beat Sanchez at the near post after good work by Nikhazi.

Birkirkara: Ad. Murcia Sanchez, L. Grech (63 L. Omerou), A. Mendoza, N. Vukanac, T. Vella (84 K. Zammit), R. Scicluna, P. Fenech, E. Agius (46 R. Ledesma), R. Camenzuli, E. Herrera, J. Zerafa.

Diosgyor: B. Antal, S. Husic, T. Kadar, William, D. Okuka, P. Bacsa (61 D. Barczi), A. Debreceni (71 L. Marjanovic), A. Gosztony, M. Grumic, G. Bori (71 M. Nikhazi), A. Elek.

Referee: Pavle Radovanovic (Montenegro).

Yellow card: Kadar.