Meridianbet FA Trophy – Semi-Final
Ħamrun Spartans…………..1
Hibernians……………………..2
Hibernians remain in the hunt for a European spot after reaching the final of the Meridianbet FA Trophy, defeating reigning champions Ħamrun Spartans in a tightly contested semi-final. They will now face Birkirkara in the final on 18 May.
The match began with an early scare for Hibernians as, in the 8th minute, Ħamrun’s Joseph Mbong struck the upright with a clever effort from close range. However, it was Hibernians who drew first blood in the 31st minute. The move originated from a throw-in by Shaw, which Silva flicked on with a header. Captain Bjorn Kristensen unleashed a thunderous shot from outside the box that Henry Bonello could not hold, and Jurgen Degabriele was on hand to calmly slot in the rebound.
Ħamrun’s frustrations grew and in the 40th minute, Roko Prsa received a yellow card following protests directed at referee Trustin Farrugia Cann. One minute later, a foul by Mbong on Carvalho inside the box resulted in a penalty. Luca Villela Iapert stepped up and confidently converted from the spot to double Hibernians’ lead just before the break.
At the start of the second half, Ħamrun coach Winston Muscat made his first substitution, with Sven Xerri replacing Barboza. In the 55th minute, Ħamrun had a golden chance to pull one back when Silva rounded Sanchez, but his finish lacked precision.
They did manage to reduce the deficit two minutes later, in the 57th minute, as Mbong found space in the box and fired past Sanchez to make it 2-1. Hibernians nearly restored their two-goal lead in the 62nd minute when Degabriele broke through one-on-one, only to be denied by Bonello.
Ħamrun made further changes on 64 minutes, introducing Bruno Domingos for Cadenovic. In the 68th minute, Iapert tested Bonello from range, but the Spartans’ goalkeeper managed to stop it. Hibernians boss Branko Nisevic responded with a double substitution, bringing on Xuereb and De Souza Silva for Degabriele and Silas, respectively, in the 71st minute. Ellul replaced Carvalho five minutes later, while Claros came on for Mihana on 81 minute.
Ħamrun tried to mount a late surge, with Silva firing wide in the 86th minute and forcing a save from Sanchez via a free-kick in the 89th. Hibernians used their final change at the 90th-minute mark, replacing captain Kristensen with Sorokin.
Six minutes of added time followed, and tensions flared late on as Bjelicic was sent off deep into stoppage time for an off-the-ball incident. Despite late pressure, Ħamrun could not find an equaliser, and Hibernians held on for a memorable win.
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Line-ups:
Ħamrun Spartans:
Henry Bonello (GK, C), Talison Lui Barboza (46’ Sven Xerri), Joseph (Essien) Mbong, Roko Prsa, Elionay Freitas Da Silva, Jovan Cadenovic (64’ Ederson Bruno Domingos), Ognjen Bjelicic (95’ RC), Redon Mihana (81’ Cesar Alejandro Menacho Claros), Emerson Marcelina, Ryan Camenzuli, Raphael Lopes Silva.
Hibernians:
Nino Pablo Sanchez (GK), Rui Bruno Fragoso Monteiro Ribeiro, Alfred Hamanjoda Silas (71’ Alex Bruno de Souza Silva), Kurt Shaw, Luca Villela Iapert, Khevin Rodrigo Fraga, Miullen Natha Felicio Carvalho (76’ Matthew Ellul), Jurgen Degabriele (71’ Dexter Xuereb), Bjorn Kristensen (C) (90’ Sorokin), Apostolos Ilias Martinis, Pedro Henrique Nunes Silva.
