Marsaxlokk were eliminated from the UEFA Conference League as FK Partizani Tirana came from behind to win 2-1 in the second leg of the first qualifying round at the Centenary Stadium on Thursday.
Partizani reach the second qualifying round with a 3-2 aggregate score following the 1-1 draw in Elbasan the previous week. They will face FC Iberia 1999 Tbilisi of Georgia in the next stage.
Following a goalless first half, Marsaxlokk managed to take the lead but Partizani were quick to level matters, notching the winner deep into stoppage time.
The visitors went close to taking the lead on 27 minutes with a lob by Archange Bintsouka from the left but the ball hit the crossbar. A low shot from the edge of the area by Arnaldo Rrapaj was neutralised by Drobnjak nine minutes later. Six minutes from thne end of the first half, off an assist by Andi Hadroj, Rrapaj had a powerful shot from outside the area ending just over the bar.
One minute in the second half, Marsaxlokk forged ahead when Yuri Messias received an assist by Nikolai Muscat and advanced upfield before unleashing a powerful rising shot which saw the ball hit the crossbar before ending at the back of the net.
However, Marsaxlokk’s joy was short-lived as one minute later, Hadroj served Tedi Cara inside the area and the latter flicked the ball past Drobnjak from close range.
On the hour, Sembene Saliou missed a fine opportunity for Partizani concluding high from inside the area following a good move between a number of players on the right flank. Nine minutes later, Alex Tanque had a close-range effort saved by goalkeeper Qirko following a cross by Aguirre from the left.
With four minutes to go, Drobnjak came to the rescue for Marsaxlokk with a great save on Arinaldo Rrapaj who found his way into the area from the left.
Three minutes in added time, Partizani notched the winner when Mehmeti sent the ball inside the area and following a deflection by Jefferson, the ball reached Hadroj who served the unmarked Albers Keko who hit home from close range.
MARSAXLOKK Marko Drobnjak, Jefferson (95’ Patrick Nonato), Karl Micallef, Nikolai Muscat (77’ Jake Ghio), Yuri, Lucas Lopez, Alex Tanque, Leandro Aguirre, Nikola Raden, Ryan Scicluna, Igor Goularte (81’ Jacob Walker).
PARTIZANI Pano Qirko, Altin Bytyqi, Maguette Gueye, Valentino Murataj (8’ Arnard Mehmeti), Tedi Cara (87’ Albers Keko), Achange Bintsouka, Paulo Buxhelaj, Vangjel Zguro, Sembene Sallou (70’ Cristian Mba), Andi Hadroj, Arinaldo Rrapaj.
Referee: Igor Stojchevski (MKD)
Assistant Referees: Kushtrim Lika, Daniel Vasilevski (MKD)
Fourth Official: Dejan Dejanoski (MKD)
Source: Maltafootball
