360SPORTS MALTA PREMIER MD24
Birkirkara……2
Hibernians….0
Birkirkara temporarily climbed to the top of the 360Sports Malta Premier League with 15 points, level with Marsaxlokk, after a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Hibernians, scoring once in each half.
The first chance of the match arrived after five minutes, as Birkirkara executed a set-piece from a free kick just outside the box. Neil Micallef and Lekao combined before setting up Maxuell Maia, but Hibernians goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez reacted swiftly to block the attempt, with the ball eventually going out of play.
Hibernians responded midway through the half with a long-range effort from Lucas Villela, which narrowly missed the target. Birkirkara looked threatening in the 35th minute, when Leandro Lacunza delivered a cross into the area, though none of his teammates were able to get on the end of it. However, just a minute later, an extended attacking move saw the ball fall to the Argentinian winger Lacunza, who struck a first-time low shot into the bottom corner, breaking the deadlock.
Birkirkara continued to push forward, and in the 39th minute, Lekao dribbled past his marker and broke into the box, but the Hibernians defence managed to clear the danger. Lacunza remained a constant threat, and three minutes later, he unleashed a powerful strike that smashed against the post, with Sanchez beaten. Lekao then attempted to convert the rebound but sent his effort wide.
Just four minutes into the second half, Maxuell Maia surged down the wing and delivered a dangerous cross into the box, but Paul Mbong sent his effort wide. Two minutes later, Birkirkara suffered a setback as captain Alexander Satariano was forced off with an injury, replaced by Shaun Dimech.
On the hour mark, De Souza Silva took a speculative long-range shot for Birkirkara, but it sailed wide. Two minutes later, Mbong had an opportunity on the opposite end, but his central strike was comfortably saved by Sanchez.
Hibernians appealed for a penalty in the 69th minute, but the referee waved play on and instead booked substitute Mullen for simulation. Moments later, Maia tried his luck from distance for Birkirkara, but his shot flew over the bar.
Hibernians’ best chance of the match arrived in the 75th minute, when Villela lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Volpe, but Alessandro Coppola was perfectly positioned on the goal line to clear the ball away with a header.
Hibernians would regret that missed opportunity, as Birkirkara sealed the win in the 82nd minute with a quick counter-attack. Murillo set up substitute Yipke, who escaped his marker and slotted the ball past Sanchez, doubling Birkirkara’s lead.
Hibernians attempted to fight back in the closing stages, but their efforts proved fruitless. Referee Alex Johnson blew the final whistle, confirming a 2-0 victory for Birkirkara.
Starting Line-ups
Birkirkara:
Giacomo Volpe, Manuel Morello, Agustin Sandona, Alex de Paixao, Paul Mbong, Alexander Satariano (capt.) (Shaun Dimech), Leandro Lacunza, Neil Micallef, Alessandro Coppola, Donovan Makoma, Maxuell Maia
Coach: Stefano de Angelis
Hibernians:
Pablo Sanchez, Alfred Silas, Kurt Shaw, Lucas Villela, Khevin Fraga, Bjorn Kristensen (capt.), Dexter Xuereb, Federico Falcone, Alex de Souza Silva, Ilias Martinis Apostolos, Bruno Ribeiro
Coach: Branko Nisevic
Referee: Alex Johnson
