In energy-sapping conditions, West Ham’s toil for a decisive goal in regulation time proved fruitless, and still they could not make the breakthrough in extra time, even after the Maltese side also had a man sent from the field when Mauricio Mazzetti picked up a second booking.
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Rosenborg were routine 3-0 (4-0 agg) winners over KR, Legia Warsaw won by the same margin in their tie with Botosani and Trabzonspor’s 2-1 victory at Differdange saw the Turkish side safely through 3-1 on aggregate.
Birkirkara F.C. this evening face off West Ham in a Europa League qualifying round at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali.
“It was a unusual game, especially with the crowd and some decisions that didn’t go our way, but we’re just happy to be through to the next round”.
However that did not dent the early confidence of the home side and Miccoli was on hand to sweep home at the near post after smart work by his strike partner Ellenton Liliu.
The Hammers struggled to respond and, despite forcing a series of corners, failed to test Haber further for the remainder of the opening period. But, despite the added strain, Noble insists West Ham are fully committed to their first European venture for nearly a decade. Tomkins clashed off the ball with Vukanac, earning the Englishman a straight red card and Bilic (below) a half-time headache.
But Slaven Bilic’s men unsurprisingly displayed the greater composure from the penalty spot, with Diego Poyet sending them through after Nikola Vukanac had missed for Birkirkara.
Haber saved well from Jarvis on 70 minutes who looked to be fouled in the penalty area after getting his shot away, but the referee was uninterested and waved play on.
Former Italy global Fabrizio Miccoli put Birkirkara in front on 14 minutes with one of the only clear-cut chances of the entire encounter, with Giovanni Tedesco’s side more than a match for an experienced West Ham line-up.
The defender was given his marching orders as he received a second yellow card for apparent dissent after a free-kick was awarded in the opposition’s favour.
The Hammers are travelling to play Birkirkara in the Europa League, and fans have tagged themselves at the airport upon landing.
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“These first few rounds are tough games against teams we are not really used to, but we want to progress and reach the group stage, obviously”.
