Bilic hails Hammers' spirit, commitment

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic felt his side showed great character after squeezing past Birkirkara on penalties in their Europa League second qualifying round second leg.

The Hammers, who went down to 10 men when James Tomkins was sent off before half time, lost 1-0 on the night to Fabrizio Miccoli’s strike but they went on to clinch the shootout 5-3 after it ended 1-1 on aggregate after extra time.

Bilic was pleased with the manner in which his side dug deep at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium and he was clearly relieved to have avoided going out to the team that finished third in the Maltese league last season.

“The most important thing is that we are through,” he told www.whufc.com.

“They started better and they were very aggressive. But after they scored we took control of the game.

“We had a man sent off and we had to adjust to that. But the guys showed their spirit and commitment and the most important thing is that we got no injuries and we have got through.”

Bilic said there was no doubt who was going to take the penalties for his side and their confidence shone through in the shootout, with Mark Noble, Mauro Zarate, Aaron Cresswell, Joey O’Brien and Diego Poyet all successful.

Next up for the Hammers is a third qualifying round clash with Astra Giurgiu of Romania, conquerors of Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Bilic added: “When it came to the penalties anything could happen, but they were very confident when I asked them.

“That is good because I have seen the character and confidence in their eyes. They were all brilliantly taken.

“We now go to Romania and it will be the same kind of atmosphere.”

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