Hibernians-Sliema W. 0-3

Defending champions Sliema Wanderers yesterday again showed their resilience to dismantle the more fluid and determined Hibernians side, which dominated play for long stretches, but could not turn their chances into goals.

Sliema showed all their strength in depth as they were capable of absorbing the pressure and then hit back in deadly fashion.

Joe Brincat’s brace, one on the stroke of half-time and another shortly past the hour, ensured the Wanderers start their title defence on the right track, especially after some eyebrows had been raised, following their Super Cup hammering by Birkirkara earlier this week. Bogdanovic’s third goal was the cherry on the cake

Sliema had Debono and Muscat back in their defence as Mattocks and Giglio started on the bench. The injured Chetcuti was not even included in their squad.

Hibernians, with their now typical line-up, had David Camilleri playing at the back, flanked by Xuereb and Mintoff, with Pulis in front in a composed back-four formation.

They were capable of holding off Sliema’s attacking quartet of Woods, Doncic, Anonam and Bogdanovic for most of the first half which lacked real goalmouth action.

This because scoring ideas were often stifled once either side progressed past the half-way line.

Hibernians showed slightly more urgency in the first half as half chances by Scerri and Cohen missed the target. On 24 minutes the Sliema keeper Akanji stretched himself to save on Cohen’s headed effort and towards the half hour Hibernians twice went close – first with a Cohen effort blocked by the Sliema defence and then with a Pullicino rasping shot that hit the side netting.

The Hibernians keeper Muscat, who had been mostly inoperative for the first half hour, was in action saving a Woods low drive but then, on 38 minutes he needed to stretch himself to hold out Anonam’s grounder as Sliema started to venture more often into enemy territory.

Sliema surprisingly broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. Bogdanovic flicked Doncic’s penetrating pass to Joe Brincat on the left, unleashing a powerful shot, at the top corner, which Muscat parried but could not hold from crossing the line.

In between, Scerri’s volley, after chesting a good ball inside the Sliema area, was footed out by Akanji.

Hibernians continued to enjoy the better share of possession after the restart but Sliema’s defence remained equally watertight. Said’s timely tackle after 53 minutes halted Scerri’s dangerous incursion after a persistent move by Camilleri.

Although pinned inside their own half for long periods, Sliema did not disappoint when they broke out. Towards the hour Bogdanovic, from the byeline, passed the ball to Woods whose shot rebounded off Xuereb and nearly beat keeper Muscat.

On 62 minutes Woods threaded a short pass to Joe Brincat just outside the area. The latter again rubbed salt into Hibernians’ wounds beating Muscat with a confident strike at the top corner.

Hibernians were demoralized but rather unlucky as a Camilleri free-kick hit the upright on 70 minutes. On the other end, Brincat failed to clinch a hat-trick as his effort narrowly missed the target.

Hibernians’ double substitution of Zahra and Failla unbalanced somehow their set-up.

In fact they were caught by Daniel Bogdanovic’s goal on 78 minutes, as he floated a long ball from midfield into an unattended goal after Muscat had rushed out to thwart another Sliema menacing attack.

Before that, Bogdanovic had gone close with his header, saved on the goal line, after Woods had hit the upright.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, P. Pullicino, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, R. Mintoff (A. Zahra), E. Mbong, T. Scerri, A. Cohen, R. Baldacchino (C. Failla), D. Camilleri, H. Doda

Sliema W: M. Akanji, J. Brincat, A. Muscat, M. Di Lello, B. Said, D. Debono, N. Turner (C. Mattocks), D. Doncic (J. Farrugia), I. Woods (A. Mifsud), O. Anonam, D. Bogdanovic

Referee: L. Sammut. Asst refs: I. Spiteri, K. Borg. 4th official: A. Azzopardi.

Scorers: J. Brincat 2, D. Bogdanovic

Yellow cards: B. Said, J. Brincat

Player of the match - J. Brincat (Sliema W.)

TMI best three - 1. J. Brincat, 2. D. Camilleri, 3. B. Said