Sunday 15th January 2017: Balzan had to settle for a draw against fifth placed Birkirkara in an exciting game with several missed opportunities.
Birkirkara had slightly the better of the first half but Balzan improved in the second half. After taking the lead early in the second half, Balzan created enough chances to have won the game.
Balzan had three changes from the team which defeated Gzira as goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic was preferred to Christian Cassar while Justin Grioli and Dylan Grima were replaced by Elkin Serrano and Bojan Kaljevic returning from suspension. Birkirkara, on the other hand, replaced Edward Herrera by Matthew Guillaumier.
In the 13th minute, Balzan lost a good opportunity when Alan Da Silva Souza dribbled his way into the box, but wasted the opportunity as he miscalculated his pass towards Bojan Kaljevic.
Birkirkara responded on the 19th minute. Srdan Dimitrov served Matthew Guillamier, who failed to make the most out of the situation as Ivan Janjusevic made a good save.
Matthew Guillamier threatened again on the half hour when he picked up a short clearance by Bruno but his powerful drive flew over.
On the 36th minute, Ivan Janjusevic denied again Matthew Guillamier as fired a shot from distance which parried by Janjusevic but when Gonzalo Malan shot in the rebound, the goal was disallowed as the Birkirkara player was judged to be in the offside position.
Balzan hit back two minutes prior to half time when Ryan Fenech delivered the ball towards Matteo Piciollo who fired a strong shot that hit the side netting.
On the restart, Balzan stepped up their game and on 53 minutes Abdelkarim Nafti played a low free kick from the left towards the middle for Bruno Giglio de Oliveira to unleash a powerful drive that was repelled by the Henry Bonello.
On the 58 minute Balzan went close again. Bojan Kaljevic served Abdelkarim Nafti, who dribbled past a defender but his low drive was palmed away by goalkeeper Henry Bonello.
Balzan took the lead on the 66th minute. Matteo Piciollo made his way inside the penalty area and was brought down by Joseph Zerafa. The referee ordered a penalty and BOJAN KALJEVIC did not fail to transform.
Two minutes later, Abdelkarim Nafti almost made it 2-0 for Balzan, when he came face-to-face with goalkeeper Henry Bonello and lobbed the ball to goal but the ball finished hitting the crossbar. From the rebound Nafti failed to connect to Kaljevic’s teasing low cross, with the grounded Bonello down at his feet.
Balzan were made to pay for these missed chances, as fifteen minutes from time Birkirkara equalised. Srdjan Dimitrov Advanced on the right, sent a low cross for Gonzalo Malan whi in turn served MILSLAV ANDELKOVIC who hit low beyond the reach of keeper Ivan Janjusevic.
In the added time, Birkirkara almost won the game when Cain Attard hit a dipping shot that bounced off the crossbar, with the ball finishing out.