Hibernians-Naxxar L 4-1
Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, J. Pearson, R. Soares, J. Lima, M. Dias, A. Cohen, B. Kristensen, C. Failla (M. Bartolo), J.P. Farrugia (O. Obiefule), L. Dos Santos (A. Azzopardi)
Naxxar L: J. Azzopardi, A. Decesare, J. Ani (T. Scerri), V. Bellia, D. Bonnici (D. Falzon) , A. Rocha Da Silva (O. Zongo), R. Cassar, P. Doffo, T. Lopez, Evaldo, G. Ribeiro
Referee: K. Azzopardi
Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, P. Abela
4th official: F. Zammit
Scorers: D. Bonnici 20, J. Lima 27, C. Failla 33 pen, L. Edison 83, O. Obiefule 87
Yellow cards: J. Pearson, A. Decesare, R. Cassar, D. Bonnici, B. Kristensen, A. Rocha Da Silva, M. Dias, T. Lopes, Evaldo
Red card: J. Pearson
Player of the match: M. Dias (Hibernians)
TMI top 3: 1. M. Dias 2. J. Azzopardi 3. C. Failla
Naxxar Lions failed to exploit their numerical superiority and a one-goal lead, as they collapsed to concede four goals against leaders Hibernians and lose the match.
This was truly a test of nerves for the leaders who recovered from an embarassing start to remain unbeated as the first round come to an end.
Naxxar were forced to make changes after their 1-1 draw with Vittoriosa Stars, in which Mattia Del Negro was sent off and defender Angus Buhagiar collected his fourth booking. Both were unavailable through suspension yesterday.
Coach Winston Muscat also exiled Ousseni Zongo to the bench and gave starts to Andrew Decesare as left back, Rocha Silva Dos Santos in midfield and Gilmar Ribeiro in attack.
Naxxar tried to use the width, aware of Hibernians’ flat three defence. Jeri Ani and Duane Bonnici operated from the flanks, creating space for Gilmar to operate through the middle.
The three combined well in Naxxar’s opener after 20 minutes. Gilmar played the ball wide to Ani on the right. His low cross cut the entire Hibernians defence for Duane Bonnici to toe poke the ball into the net.
That game plan, however, gave Hibernians slightly the edge in midfield, despite the notable absence of Zoran Levnaic. Bellia and Doffo were often outnumbered against Failla, Kristensen, Lima, Cohen and Dias.
They had looked menacing in the opening minutes, with Luis Edison going close with his effort from outside the area, Naxxar’s central defender heading Dias’cross against his own bar in an attempt to clear and Edison again progressing dangerously inside the Naxxar arae from the left, with keeper Azzopardi palming out his shot.
Midway through the half, with the Paolites trailing to Bonnici’s goal, Pearson conceded a free kick as he felled the advancing Gilmar just outside the area, and earned a yellow card. Hardly a minute later, Pearson was shown a second yellow card for his foul on Bellia and was eventually sent off.
It took Hibernians only two minutes though to level matters. Jackson Lima picked Kristensen’s pass and drilled a low diagonal shot from the edge of the area on the right that rendered keeper Azzopardi helpless.
Despite their numerical superiority, Naxxar curiosly enough, seemed to lose their composure. Hibernians pulled down Dias as right back and he subdued Bonnici to good effect for the rest of the half.
It was Hibernians who took the lead on 33 minutes. Edison fell like a crumbling biscuit when challenged by Cassar inside the Naxxar area on the left to win a penalty. Clayton Failla made no mistake from the spot.
Hibernians could even increase their lead before the break when Farrugia went past Evaldo on Failla’s pass but put his shot tantalisingly wide.
Bonnici and Gilmar combined well inside the Hibernians area.The former’s tame effort was saved by keeper Muscat.
Naxxar’s wide players, Bonnici and Ani changed sides after the restart, with Ani giving Dias a more difficult time.
Hibernians maintained their superiority and were only denied by Azzopardi’s heroics in the Naxxar goal as they left gaps at the back. He repelled Failla’s shot after he had gone past Cassar and Evaldo. Cohen missed a sitter after connecting to Dias’ testing cross, ending his foray down the right flank before Failla hit Farrugia’s square pass first time, thumping the ball against the bar.
On the hour, Failla ran in open space on Farrugia’s pass. His volley was well parried by the Naxxar keeper who also blocked Kristensen’s shot and thwarted Edison in the same action.
Naxxar struggled to summon enough effort to trouble the Paolites, even if they introduced Terence Scerri and Darren Falzon. On 66 minutes Doffo’s meaty free kick was turned into a corner by keeper Muscat with the help of the bar.
Failla limped off with some mascular problem on 79 minutes but Hibernians secured the points with two more goals in the last seven minutes.
On 83 minutes, Luis Edison advanced to beat the Naxxar square defence on Cohen’s pass and beat keeper Azzopardi with a low diagional shot. Four minutes later, Cohen again was the provider of a cross from the right for substitute Obinna Obiefule to head in from close range.