Hibernians 1
Qormi 3
Hibernians : M. Jovicic, D. Vella (T. Tabone Desira 90’), N. Radojevic (R.Tardini 68’), M. Barbosa Da Silveira, J. Mbong, J. Grech, B. Kristensen (D. Abela 90’), I. Ntow, T. Marcolino, M. Sahanek, A. Agius
Qormi: D. Cassar, D. Mansi, Y. Yankam, A. Rozzi, A. Abela (A. Cassar 74’), W. De Oliveira (I. Zammit 76’), J. Lokando, M. Bangoura (L. Busuttil 90’), L. Santana, R. Romao, T. Gusman
Referee: Stefan Pace
Asst refs: Jurgen Spiteri, Mitchell Scerri
4th official: Darryl Agius
Scorers: Y.Yankam 15’, A. Agius 18’, A. Rozzi 45’, M. Bangoura 90’
Yellow cards: Gusman, Mansi, De Oliveira, Abela, Cassar
Red Card: Gusman
Player of the match: Yannick Yankam (Qormi)
TMI Top 3: 1. Y. Yankam 2. D. Cassar 3. A. Agius
Attendance: 907
Any hopes of Hibernians winning the Championship this season hit a stumbling block yesterday when they lost against bottom placed Qormi. For the latter this win raised them hopes of avoiding the automatic drop.
Hibernians went into this match needing a win to regain top spot. On the other hand points for Qormi were important in order to continue their quest for salvation.
The Paolites returned to winning ways in their last match against B’Kara following three consecutive draws whereas Qormi were coming from three consecutive defeats against Tarxien Rainbows, Hamrun Spartans and Sliema Wanderers.
Tiago Fonseca and Marcelo Dias were suspended for Hibernians. In their previous encounters this season Hibernians ran winners by a 2-1 and 5-1 scoreline, the latter being a match from the FA Trophy competition.
In the 3rd minute Qormi went near when off a De Oliveira cross Rozzi had his shot blocked into a corner. On 10 minutes Hibernians responded through a Sahanek free kick which was saved by Cassar.
A minute later and Qormi once again on the break with Rozzi trying his luck with a low drive which just missed out. But Qormi broke the deadlock on 15 minutes when off Rozzi corner in came Yanick Yankam who headed into the top corner.
The Paolites reacted strongly and three minutes later they were on level terms. A Sahanek corner caused havoc in the Qormi area and Andrei Agius drove the ball home with goalkeeper Cassar saving but over the line. Heavy protests ensued from the Qormi players but the goal was awarded.
On 23 minutes Hibernians went near when an Agius long distance free kick scraped the crossbar. And three minutes from the break the Paolites were unlucky when a Sahanek shot hit the upright.
Hibernians were now dominating the proceedings but against the run of play Qormi forged ahead once again in first half added time. Yankam was this time the supplier with Antonio Rozzi slotting his low drive past a dejected Jovicic. This goal was a severe blow for Hiberians who had to start all over again in the second period.
On 55 minutes a Marco Sahanek free kick was well saved by an alert Cassar who denied Hibernians an equalizer. In the 56th minute Hibernians thought that they drew level when off a Vella cross Marcolino headed past Cassar but the Hibernians forward was ruled offside.
In the 63rd minute a Sahanek free kick was met by Andrei Agius but his headed effort just missed out. And nine minutes later an Andrei Agius free kick was stopped once again by Cassar.
Hibernians now increased their tempo and in the 77th minute off a Sahanek cross from the right flank a Marcolino headed went inches wide. Ten minutes from the end Qormi were reduced to ten man when Gusman was sent off for a second bookable offence.
But it was Qormi who sealed the issue when in a swift counter attack Malela Bangoura placed the ball in the corner of the net.