Hibernians secure second straight win

HIBERNIANS 2-0 GŻIRA UNITED
Giannis Bastianos 69, Isaiah Chukunyere 85

Referee: Ishmael Barbara.

Yellow cards: Fraga, Aldama, Pepe, Pedrao, Minala, Gabriel.

Missed penalty: Joseph Minala (Gżira United) 79.

Hibernians registered their second win as they scored twice in the second half to beat Gżira United 2-0.

The two teams shared the exchanges for most of the first half but during the second half, the Paolites created the better chances and after hitting the woodwork twice, they managed to take the lead, sealing the issue with a second goal late in the game.

Gżira had their fair share of scoring opportunities and will rue their missed chances, in particular, a penalty which was parried by goalkeeper Hugo Sacco.

Hibernians had one change from the team which defeated Naxxar as Kleiton replaced the unavailable Jurgen Degabriele.

For Gżira, on the other hand, Luis Riascos and Brooklyn Borg made way for Joseph Minala and Kevin Tulimieri.

Before the game the two sets of players observed a minute’s silence in remembrance of former Gżira coach and player Hugh Caruana, and former Maroons president Joseph Camilleri.

The Paolites had the first attempt at goal after just five minutes when off a Giannis Bastianos corner from the left, Khevin Fraga flicked the ball just wide.

One minute later, Tulimieri hit high from an ideal position inside the area.

Faysal Chouaib had an attempt from the right hitting the side netting on 19 minutes for Gżira and eight minutes from the end of the first half, a fierce shot by Khevin Fraga ended just over the bar.

One minute into the second half, the Paolites were unlucky to hit the posts through Bastianos and on 57 minutes, the Greek midfielder hit the crossbar with a direct freekick from the right with Dexter Xuereb hitting high off the rebound.

Gżira replied with a good run by Christian Saint on the left but rather than concluding, he passed the ball and there was no one to connect.

Hibernians managed to take the lead on 69 minutes. Bastianos received an assist from the left and with a fine rising shot, he gave goalkeeper Darijan Zarkov no chance.

The Maroons had an excellent opportunity to equalise on 79 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Higor Gabriel fouled Jurgen Pisani inside the area. However Minala’s effort from the penalty spot was neutralised by goalkeeper Hugo Sacco.

Three minutes later, Gżira missed another good opportunity when substitute Alex Alves delivered an inviting cross from the left but Thaylor and Saint failed to connect.

Five minutes from time, the Paolites sealed the issue with a second goal. Farid Zuniga lost ball possession to substitute Isaiah Chukunyere on the right and the young Hibs forward entered the area and rounded the goalkeeper before placing the ball at the back of the net.