Rabat A.-Hibernians 1-4

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, S.Gauci, Z. Tanti, I. Carapic, J. Caruana, C. Gauci, M. Licari (A. Azzopardi 68’), D. Pelaez Bellido (E. Scicluna 88’), M. Avila Perez, D. Carillo Pendas, R. Micallef (C. Vella 80’)

Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, J. Pearson, R. Soares, J. De Lima (B. Muscat 79’), A. Cohen (S. Chircop 84’), B. Kristensen, C. Failla, M. Bartolo, O. Obiefule, E. Luis dos Santos (J.P. Farrugia 79’)   

Yellow Cards: R. Camilleri 17’, E. Luis dos Santos 23’ (H), D. Carillo Pendas 38’, M. Licari 53’, J. Azzopardi 54’, I. Carapic 76’ (R)       
Scorers: Obinna Obiefule 16’, A. Cohen 54’, E. Luis dos Santos 70’, B. Muscat 80’ (H), D. Pelaez Bellido 18’ (R)
Referee: Andre Arciola
Assistant Referees: Sammy Attard, Albert Borg Cardona

BOV Player of the Match: Obinna Obiefule (Hibernians)

Hibernians returned to winning ways when they defeated Rabat Ajax 4-1 in a match they dominated. Hibs couldn’t suffer another defeat as they lost two in the last three games.

Although they ended the first half 1-1, the Paolites deserved the three points and they made sure of the win with three goals in the second half. For Rabat Ajax this was another defeat after their 2-2 draw in their last outing against Balzan.      

Rabat again had a number of players missing with Dylan Falzon, David Azzopardi, Pavle Velimirovic, Adam Smeir, Josef Tonna and Patrick Borg all missing for Steve D’Amato’s team. Hibernians had to do without Zoran Levnaic and Marcelo Dias, who were suspended.

Rabat created the first action when after two minutes Carillo Pendas passed to Ryan Micallef but his shot finished over the bar.

Hibernians took the lead after 16 minutes when Obinna Obiefule received a good ball and after his first shot was denied by post, from the rebound he scored with ease.

Rabat made a quick reaction and equalised two minutes later when Daniel Pelaez passed to Carillo Pendas who was fouled in the penalty area by Ryan Camilleri. From the penalty spot Daniel Pelaez Bellido made no mistake.    

Hibernians went close on the 26th minute when from a free-kick by Failla, a header from Jonathan Pearson finished over the bar.

Branco Nisevic’s team had another opportunity on the 32nd minute when Azzopardi tipped the ball to a corner a shot by Obiefule.

Hibernians continued to attack and on the 39th minute, from a corner, a shot from Jackson Lima finished over the bar. Two minutes later Failla crossed to Tarabai but his header was met with a great save by Azzopardi.

Hibernians took the lead on the 54th minute when from a free-kick by Jackson Lima, Andrew Cohen rose and headed past Azzopardi.

Four minutes later after a clearance by the Rabat defence, a shot from Matthew Bartolo finished off target. Hibernians went close again when a shot from Failla finished in Matthew Bartolo’s feet but his shot was brilliantly saved by Azzopardi. Obinna Obiefule went close for a brace on the 68th minute when he dribbled a number of players but his final shot was blocked.  

Hibernians made them three on the 70th minute when Cohen passed to Edison Luis dos Santos who scored with a left foot shot.

The Paolites netted the poker on the 80th minute when substitute Brandon Muscat in his first action caught Azzopardi off guard with a cross-shot that finished past the Rabat custodian.

Rabat tried to score another consolation goal and on the 89th minute Azzopardi crossed to Carillo Pendas but his shot finished over the bar.