YO Health Malta Premier – opening round bottom 6
HIBERNIANS………. 1
NAXXAR LIONS……1
Hibernians and Naxxar Lions had to settle for a draw after a breathless second half that delivered controversy, Football Video Support interventions and relentless end-to-end action as both sides chased a decisive winner.
The result changes little in the Bottom six picture, with Hibernians joining Gżira United at the summit of the mini-table, while Naxxar draw level on points with relegation rivals Tarxien.
Hibernians striker Lucas Vilela registered the first real attempt of the match on 14 minute, only for his strike to be blocked smartly by Naxxar goalkeeper Matthias Debono.
Naxxar replied immediately through Gustavo De Campos, who unleashed a fierce effort that sailed just over the bar.
De Campos went close again on 42 minutes when he met a Neil Pace Cocks free kick, but his header finished wide of the target.
On the stroke of half-time, the Lions almost broke the deadlock. Vitinho slalomed past three defenders and slipped the ball to Gabriel Goncalves, who tried to beat the onrushing goalkeeper, but Romanian keeper Laurentiu Branescu stood tall and denied the Brazilian forward.
Naxxar started the second half with the same attacking intent. Vitinho struck the side netting early on, briefly fooling some supporters into thinking the deadlock had been broken.
The Brazilian wide man remained a constant menace, and on 55 minutes, his dipping effort was turned away by Branescu, who continued to keep Hibernians in the game.
The turning point seemed to arrive in the 68th minute when referee Daniel Casha was summoned to the FVS monitor after protests from Hibernians coach Branko Nisevic.
Following a review, the referee ruled that Amiel Sekala Guehi had brought down Cleiton inside the area and pointed to the spot. From eleven metres, Vilela coolly sent Debono the wrong way to give Hibernians a 1-0 lead.
Naxxar, however, found an instant reply. Just two minutes later, from a Vitinho free kick, substitute Firmino rose highest and powered a header beyond Branescu to make it 1-1.
The closing stages saw both sides throw caution to the wind in search of a late winner. Hibernians substitute Mailson had a free kick charged down by the wall, while another effort from Vitinho took a deflection and drifted just past the upright.
Two minutes from time, Naxxar appealed for a penalty after Pablo Alves de Lima appeared to handle the ball in the area. Once again, the referee consulted FVS, but after viewing the incident chose not to award a spot kick, and the match ended honours even.
