Hibernians-Rabat 4-1
Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri (J.P. Farrugia), J. Lima, R. Soares, M. Dias, A. Cohen, C. Failla (M. Bartolo), M. Tabone, Z. Levnaic, J. Bezzina, L. Edison (J. Degabriele)
Rabat A: P. Velimorovic, I. Carapic, S. Gauci (Z. Tanti), D. Pendas, C. Gauci, J. Bajada (A. Smeir), D. Palaez, J. Tonna, P. Borg, D. Azzopradi, M. Avila Perez (M. Licari)
Referee: M. Spiteri
Asst refs: R. Vella, A. Borg Cardona
Additional asst.refs: P. Caruana, T. Farrugia Cann
4th official: C. Pisani
Scorers: D. Pelaez 7, L. Edison 32, 70, J. Lima 57, A. Cohen 61
Yellow cards: A. Cohen, P. Borg, L. Edison, J. Bajada, M. Dias
Player of the match: M. Dias (Hibernians)
TMI top three: 1. J. Lima 2. M. Dias 3. J. Bezzina
Despite going down to an early Rabat goal, Hibernians' superb start to the season has continued, courtesy of goals from Luis Edison, Andrew Cohen and Jackson Lima that enabled them maintain their 100 per cent record and retain sole leadership in the BoV Premier League.
Hibernians looked threatening whenever they broke forward and it was no surprise that Jackson Lima, who shimmered with menace throughout the match, scored one and had a hand in another two goals.
Clayton Failla and Marcelo Dias tormented Rabat’s two wide backs Shawn Gauci and David Azzopardi, turning them around at will with their testing crosses. Edison’s clinical finishing, scoring a brace, punished ailing Rabat to the extreme.
Desperately short of a creative influence to break teams down, Rabat continue to rely far too heavily on the skill of their two Spanish midfielders. It was no surprise that they combined to give Rabat an early lead. But Rabat never got going in the second half and were punished for their frailty in defence. The Magpies are still pointless after four matches.
Injuries and suspensions forced both coaches to make some alteratiuons to their sides. Rabat had Dylan Falzon suspended and Joseph Caruana still nursing a toe injury. Coach D’Amato gave starts to Josef Tonna and Patrick Borg instead. Malcolm licari was exiled to the bench and Mosies Avila Perez was Rabat’s sole striker.
Hibernians also had Jonathan Pearson suspended for this match and inserted Matthew Tabone in the centre of their defence. Johan Bezzina was given the nod in midfield, replacing the injured Bjorn Kristensen. Cohen was handed a more advanced role as Jean Paul Farrugia started on the bench
As expected, Hibernians made the early running, when handed the initiative by a defensive Rabat. But the Magpies defied the odds, forging ahead after only seven minutes play. They won a corner that culminated from an erratic Hibernians’ back pass. Pendas kicked from the left, keeper Muscat palmed the ball out as far as Daniel Pelaez who, standing on the edge of the area, volleyed at the top corner.
It was a well taken goal that gave Rabat some needed tonic, although Hibernians soon took the bit between their teeth and dominated possession. As Rabat ammassed their defence, the Paolites could find few openings although they won a couple of fouls around the area. They raked several high balls inside the area and won some corners that kept the Rabat rearguard under pressure.
Equilibrium was restored past the half hour. Lima played a free kick from the left and Gauci’s glancing header in an attempt to clear, let the ball nfall straight to the unmarked Luis Edison who scored with a routine nod from close range.
With Hibernians totally in control, Failla’s left foot drive was smartly held out by the Rabat keeper Velimirovic to keep his side in the game at halftime.
But Rabat were totally undone by Hibernians’ powerplay after the interval, with Dias procuring most of the damage with his runs, dribbles and crosses from the right.
On 56 minutes, Lima hit one of Dias’ crosses over the bar before Hibernians went in front three minutes short of the hour. Rabat failed to clear their lines on a Failla cross from the left and Jackson Lima scored with a low drive.
Minutes later, another messy clearance by the Rabat defence allowed Failla to cross again. Cohen was clear inside the Rabat area but was profligate when shooting straight on the keeper.
But there was no denying Hibernians on 61 minutes. Dias wreaked more havoc on the right, his cross was held out by the outstretched Rabat keeper Velimirovic as far as Edison, whose goalbound effort was deflected in by the grounded Andrew Cohen.
Hibernians scored their fourth with 20 minutes remaining. Lima again provided the cross and Luis Edison rifled the ball at the roof of the net after good control by the Brazilian striker.
On a positive note for Rabat, Adam Smeir made a substitute return on 68 minutes after missing out almost the whole of last seaason through an ankle injury.