Hibernians suffer second-half collapse to end up in Bottom Six
Birkirkara sneaked into YoHealth Malta Premier Top Six despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to champions Ħamrun Spartans as the Stripes were favoured by Marsaxlokk’s astonishing fightback against Hibernians.
For much of the match, it looked as though Gianluca Festa’s men were heading into the Bottom Six after finding themselves two goals down at the end of the first half and Hibernians, who started the day in seventh place, leading Marsaxlokk 2-0.
But Marsaxlokk showed remarkable fighting spirit as despite being a man down they managed to rescue a point courtesy of two second-half goals that saw them clinch a place in the Top Six and enable Birkirkara to leapfrog Hibs in the standings to the sixth and final spot.
Certainly, it was a dramatic outcome to an eventful day, but the Spartans surely deserve all the plaudits for another impressive performance which saw them outplay the Stripes for long stretches of the match.
Giacomo Modica’s men were the better side throughout and have now moved just one point adrift of leaders Floriana, who could only manage a 2-2 draw against Sliema Wanderers.
It was the Spartans who took the lead on 11 minutes. Ante Coric picked Ryan Camenzuli on the edge of the area, and the wingback hit a low drive that came off the upright, but in came Emerson Marcelina, who pushed the ball into the net.
That goal was a major blow for Birkirkara, who cannot afford to lose the match.
But the Spartans kept pushing forward, and on 22 minutes, they doubled their lead.
From an Ante Coric corner kick, Birkirkara midfielder Stephan Makoma handled Emerson Marcelina’s header with referee Slobodan Petrovic pointing to the spot.
Semar Smajlagic stepped up the kick and drilled the ball past the diving Martinez.
Birkirkara were in disarray, and a minute later, they lost possession cheaply and Matias Garcia burst inside the area but was blocked by the onrushing goalkeeper Martinez.
From the resultant corner kick, taken by Coric, Saliou Thioune saw his acrobatic effort finish just over the bar.
Birkirkara finally threatened on 41 minutes when Manuel Morello’s cross found Maydana who was denied by a diving Henry Bonello.
In stoppage time, Ħamrun fans shouted ‘penalty’ when Smajlagic seemed to have been tripped by Luis Cordova inside the area, but the referee waved play on.
After the break, one expected Birkirkara to hit back strongly, but they continued to struggle to create openings as the Spartans continued to defend solidly.
The Spartans suffered a blow on the hour mark when Rafael Compri picked up a muscle injury and was replaced by Sven Xerri.
The Stripes also lost a key element as Lucas Macula picked up an injury and was replaced by Jan Busuttil.
As the minutes passed, the pressure was growing on Birkirkara who continued to struggle to create chances.
Morello tried his luck from the distance, but his effort was well wide off the target.
Six minutes from time, Bonello did well to dive to his right to keep out Cordova’s low drive.
Birkirkara ended the match with ten men when in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Mbong released substitute Merlin Hadzi who was through on goal but was upended by Kurt Zammit who was shown a straight red card.
Still, despite the negative result, there was still cause of joy for Birkirkara after news broke out that Marsaxlokk had managed to grind out a 2-2 draw against Hibernians that enabled the Stripes to make it into the Top Six at the expense of the Paolites.
Hibernians looked well in control against Marsaxlokk at the Victor Tedesco Stadium after racing into a two-goal lead.
It was their star striker Lucas Villela who again stood out with two quick fire goals.
Villela put them ahead after 25 minutes before giving them a two-goal cushion with a second goal three minutes later.
It looked as though Marsaxlokk were destined for a defeat when on the stroke of half-time, they had goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi sent off.
But it was here that Marsaxlokk’s character came to the fore with a lion-hearted effort in the second half.
Despite being a goal down and a man down, the Southerners continued to push forward, and 20 minutes from time, they managed to pull a goal back when Hibernians’ player Pedro Cacho inadvertently deviated the ball into his own net.
This goal further injected more belief into the Marsaxlokk players who went on to clinch the equaliser ten minutes from time through Juvhel Tsoumou.
For Tsoumou, this was his second goal in the space of a few days after bagging the winner against Żabbar St Patrick in midweek.
Hibernians’ hopes further evaporated in stoppage time when Dexter Xuereb was dismissed after picking up a second booking and was sent off.
The other clash of the day was the Old Firm derby between Floriana and Sliema Wanderers that turned out to be a very exciting affair with the two rivals sharing four goals in a 2-2 draw.
Floriana made a bright start and took the lead after 15 minutes through Jake Grech.
Sliema fought back and managed to draw level five minutes from the break, when Sulahmana Bah fired home the equaliser.
Floriana refused to panic and managed to restore their lead through Federico Varela on 71 minutes.
But the Greens’ lead lasted only eight minutes as Miguel Baggio rammed home the equaliser.
Author
