Conference League: Hamrun obtain scoreless draw in Kosovo
BALLKANI 0HAMRUN S 0 Ballkani: E.Kollici, G.Halili, A. Thaqi, B.Jashanica, A.Potoku (G.Smajli 78’) , Queven (E.Abedini 87’), L.Emerllahu, M.Ismahkgeci (E.Ajazaj 60’), W.Hamidi, B.Karrica, A.Kyeziu (B. Tolaj 78’)
BALLKANI 0
HAMRUN S 0
Ballkani: E.Kollici, G.Halili, A. Thaqi, B.Jashanica, A.Potoku (G.Smajli 78’) , Queven (E.Abedini 87’), L.Emerllahu, M.Ismahkgeci (E.Ajazaj 60’), W.Hamidi, B.Karrica, A.Kyeziu (B. Tolaj 78’)
Ħamrun S: H.Bonello, M.Ellul (S.Xerri 78’), Mayron, E.Marcellina, S.Borg (W.Barros 64’), D.Letherby, Elionay (T.Barboza 64’), R.Prsa, J.Mbong (J.Corbalan 50’), Raphael, Vitao (L.Montebello 64’)
Yellow cards: E.Ajazaj 62’ (B), Raphael 31’, S.Borg 35’, Elionay 58’
Referee: Walter Altmann (Austria)
Hamrun Spartans obtained an important scoreless draw against FC Ballkani in Kosovo in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.
Ballkani dominated for long stretches of the game but created few scoring opportunities, with the most important a missed penalty in the first half.
The Spartans were almost under constant pressure for the whole 90 minutes of the game and they rarely ventured forward.
This seems to be the major problem of the local champions, finding it hard to create scoring opportunities, and this was also evident in the two matches against Gibralta’s Lincoln Red Imps.
Next week in the return leg it will be another difficult evening for the Spartans who have to score and win to keep their european dreams alive.
Balkani started the match on the offensive and after 12 minutes of play they had the first action through Potoku who failed to score when well placed.
In the 19th minute, Balkani were awarded a penalty after the veteran defender Emerson Marcelina committed a foul on the attacker Karrica inside the area. Lindon Emerlahhu took charge of the penalty with the midfielder hitting incredibly wide from the penalty spot.
No action worthy of note in the rest of the first half, with Hamrun however nowhere to be seen in attack in the first half.
In the second half, the match seemed to change its course as the Spartans tried to play more on the counterattack, while the Balkans were more cautious about the possibility of scoring a goal from a counterattack, especially with the introduction of Juan Corbalan and Luke Montebello during the second half.
In the 60th minute Hamidi tried his luck from the edge of the area however Bonello saved well and avoid the danger.
Six minutes later this time Karrica tries to beat the Maltese International goalkeeper, however Bonello once again saves well.
In the 69th minute, Engjell's shot from distance goes wide of Bonello's posts.
The Balkans continued to attack until the last moments of the match, as in the 83rd minute the substitute Tolaj fresh off the bench runs from the right and shoots towards Bonello's goal, however the conclusion is not good enough.
The last action of the match came precisely in the 90th minute from Dulaj's attempt from the edge of the area, however Bonello was well placed to avoid the finaol danger.
Hamrun Spartans now face Balkani on Tuesday 30 July at 8:00pm.
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