Stripes suffer first league defeat

by Ayrton Galea - 23rd September 2013

Birkirkara's efforts, especially in the second-half, despite playing with ten men, were not enough to take something from the match. Jackson Lima's strike just past the half-hour for Hibernians enabled them to extend their winning-streak and consolidate their place on top of the BOV Premier League table.

In a match that collided two of the best sides in the Premier League, Hibernians managed to extend their perfect launch to the BOV Premier League as they made them five wins from five matches. The Paolites defeated Birkirkara who had to play all the second-half with ten men after they had Matheus Bissi sent off just before the half-time whistle.

While the Polities consolidated their position as sole-leaders, this was the first defeat for Birkirkara in this Premier League. The Stripes are now fourth with ten points, following leaders Hibernians with fifteen, Valletta with twelve and Sliema Wanderers with eleven points.

The first half saw Hibernians having an edge over the Stripes as they showed the best ideas during the first forty-five minutes. Despite rarely having an attempt on goal, Hibernians made the best out of the Stripes' poor performance in the first-half and managed to break the dead-lock and score the winning goal thanks to a wonderful strike by Jackson Lima. To add to the Stripes' woes, Matheus Bissi collected two yellow cards in the space of a few minutes, in the first-half, to leave his team playing with ten players.

With the Stripes a goal down and having to play the whole second-half with one player less, their attitude changed totally. Their continuous pressure earned them an edge over their opponents and they created the best ideas in the second forty-five minutes, but Hibernians stood strong and they managed to clinch the victory.

Once again, Mr. Paul Zammit went out with the 3-5-2 formation for this match. The starting eleven selection featured just one change from the previous match, as Frank Temile replaced Demba Toure. Ryan Scicluna was ruled out due to an injury sustained with the National team.

The First Half

The early stages of the match saw both teams doing their best to settle down quickly and they went out on an aggressive note.

With both teams packing their midfield department, scoring opportunities were very rare. The two teams failed to find the way through, mainly due to the solid and concentrated rear-guards of both sides which seemed to be on their top in the opening minutes.

The first scoring opportunity of the match was created by the Champions on the 13th minute. Matheus Bissi took charge of the long distance free-kick but his effort ended over Mario Muscat's bar.

Hibernians were quick to reply, and four minutes later, it was Andrew Cohen for Hibernians who had a long distance free-kick but the National player's effort did not cause any trouble as his drive flied over.

The first twenty-five minutes did not produce much in the way of entertainment as the perfect tactical game that both teams were playing restricted scoring opportunities and both goalkeepers were hardly tested.

However, Hibernians who were enjoying a slight-edge over the Stripes took the lead just past the half hour mark, in their first dangerous opportunity. Marcelo Dias made some fine footwork on the right wing before sending a perfect cross which saw Andre Cohen intelligently serving Jackson Lima whose powerful strike hit hard past Justin Haber.

The Stripes, who were now one goal down after failing to impress in the first half-hour, tried to make a reaction. Eleven minutes from the end of the first half, Frank Temile made a fine move before concluding his action with a powerful shot which ended over the bar.

Hibernians continued to show the best ideas on the pitch, and to add more to the Stripes' woes, who were still struggling to settle down, they received a major drawback as Matheus Bissi was sent off. The Brazilian defender received two yellow cards in just one minute for hitting an opponent and left the Stripes with ten-men for the whole second-half.

The end of the first-half saw Hibernians deservingly ending the first half in the lead as Jackson Lima's strike was making all the difference.

The Second Half

Mr. Paul Zammit introduced forward player Jhonnattann Benites who replaced Rowen Muscat and it was clear that Birkirkara were trying to be more offensive.

This substitution seemed to leave a quick impact on the Stripes as they went out aggressive and they lost no time to turn on the heat on Hibernians.

Just a few minutes in the second half, the Stripes created a dangerous opportunity as Frank Temile made a fine solo-action, and drifted inside the box but the Paolites' defenders managed to clear before he could conclude.

Although the Stripes put Hibernians under pressure, the Birkirkara forwards were finding little space to conclude and in fact, they failed to test Muscat. On the other hand, the Paolites were opting for the counterattack game, mostly played on Edison Luis Dos Santos although they also failed to create any scoring opportunities.

Hibernians almost doubled the score on the 73rd minute, when a cross by Jackson Lima seemed to find Andrew Cohen in the ideal position but Alejandro Mendoza managed to clear the ball into safety despite risking to commit an own goal.

Having noticed the major improvement by the team, as the Stripes were now threatening for the equalizer, Mr. Paul Zammit made his second change on the 74th minute as he introduced Demba Toure instead of Frank Temile. The Senegalese striker took a central striker role.

Birkirkara had the best opportunity of the match fifteen minutes from the end. Following a fast breakaway, Paul Fenech advanced before firing a powerful shot which was blocked with difficulty by Mario Muscat.

Justin Haber denied Hibernians from their second goal on the 80th minute. Substitute Matthew Bartolo's long distance drive brought the best out of Justin Haber who turned the ball into a corner kick.

With four minutes of added time, and hope ebbing away for the Stripes, Mr. Paul Zammit utilised his third substitution as he put everything forward by putting Terence Vella in the fray, and taking off Edward Herrera.

In the last action of the match, a cross from the back by Zach Muscat was well-headed but Mario Muscat came to the rescue to eliminate the danger and keep the score in favour of Hibernians.

The full-time whistle found Birkirkara being defeated for the first time in this league campaign. They are now eager to return to winning ways next Sunday when they will play another difficult match against the other title challengers, Valletta.

Birkirkara: Justin Haber, Edward Herrera, Alejandro Mendoza, Matheus Bissi, Zach Muscat, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat, Paul Fenech, Shola Shodiya, Frank Temile.

Hibernians: Mario Muscat, Ryan Camilleri, Jonathan Pearson, Jackson Lima, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Zoran Levinac, Edison Luis Dos Santos.

Referee: Huw Jones.

Assistant Referees: Martin Roberts, Michael Grey.

Fourth Official: Andrew Harms.

Yellow Cards: Zach Muscat, Matheus Bissi, Shola Shodiya (Birkirkara), Rodolfo Soares, Matthew Bartolo, Edison Luis Dos Santos (Hibernians).

Red Cards: 45' Matheus Bissi (Birkirkara).

Scorers: 31' Jackson Lima (Hibernians).

BOV Man of the match: Rodolfo Soares (Hibernians).

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