NAXXAR LIONS 0

HIBERNIANS 0         

Naxxar L: C. Nicht, R. Caetano, M. Duarte, M. Micallef, D. Bonnici, R. Cassar, D. Bustos, M. Casarotto, M. Fenech (D. Falzon), R. De Costa (A. Buhagiar) (J. Debono), Y. Messias

Hibernians: R. Briffa, D. Vella, M. Kreuzreigler, J. Degabriele (A. Neto), C. Failla, J. Lima, J. Bezzina, A. Agius, J. Moreira (G. Gorozia), J. Mbong, Jorginho

Referee: S. Pace

Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, T. Debono

4th official: M. Spiteri

Yellow cards: J. Lima, M. Duarte, R. Caetano, C. Failla, D. Bustos, J. Bezzina

Player of the match: J. Lima (Hibernians)

TMI top 3:   1. M. Duarte  2. D. Vella 3. R. Caetano

Attendance: 366

 

Following their elimination from the FA Trophy last weekend, Hibernians’ poor run of form continued when they were held to a disappointing goalless draw against 12th placed Naxxar Lions yesterday, in a scrappy affair during which the Paolites looked desperately flat, with no real tempo in their game and a glaring lack of conviction in front of goal. The champions remain in fifth place.

Hibernians began tidily enough but by the second half Naxxar’s commitment restricted the Paolites to few clear opportunities.

Without the suspended Soares, Dias omitted from the squad and Rui Gomes sitting on the bench, Hibernians’ defence included Agius and Kreuzriegler at the centre, with Mbong and Failla the wide backs. Kristensen was also missing yesterday. Hibernians started with a midfield diamond of Dunstan Vella at the base, Lima and Bezzina on the left and right respectively and Degabriele at the tip, behind Moreira and Jorginho. The former was substituted short of the quarter hour and replaced by Gorozia.

Naxxar had Ryan Grech suspended and Angus Buhagiar named as substitute but introduced a young Brazilian midfielder Matheus Casarotto.

Hibernians soon took control. Bezzina played a through pass inside the Naxxar area for Degabriele whose low shot was blocked by keeper Nicht.

Bezzina’s long range drive midway through the half was easily saved by the goalkeeper.

This was a warning for Naxxar to tighten up and eliminate the kind of amateurish defending that had them concede five goals against Tarxien Rainbows in their previous league match.

Hibernians again went close three minutes before the break when, on a Kreuzriegler cross, Lima headed straight on the Naxxar keeper.

Although the champions continued to dominate possession in the second half, Naxxar proved resilient enough to close all gaps, with their two central defenders, Caetano and Duarte, dominant in the area.

As the hour approached, the game became more broken, and a bit more to Naxxar’s liking. The Lions were forced to replace the injured De Costa with Buhagiar on 64 minutes. And Messias lacked coordination, when fed with a good cross inside the Hibernians area.

Hibernians’ low tempo in the second half, prompted the introduction of Arlindo Neto for Degabriele. The substitute was off target with his header from Mbong’s cross on 74 minutes.

Having completely run out of ideas, Hibernains’ late efforts were dashed by the Naxxar keeper when he cleverly intercepted a Bezzina cross from the left, after a slip from Micallef and in added time, Nicht turned Gorozia’s rasping low shot into a corner.

The breakthrough failed to come.