Hibernians and Naxxar Lions take a point apiece

HIBERNIANS 1

Vilela 69

NAXXAR LIONS 1

Firmino 71

Naxxar and Hibernians settled for a point each after serving up a thrilling second half packed with controversy, video reviews, and end-to-end drama as both sides pushed relentlessly for all three points.

The final stalemate did little to change either side’s status as Hibernians join Gżira United at the top of the Bottom 6 standings, while Naxxar moved level with relegation rivals Tarxien.

Hibernians striker Lucas Vilela produced the first effort on goal in the 14^th minute, but his attempt was blocked by Naxxar goalkeeper Matthias Debono.

Naxxar immediately replied through Gustavo De Campos, who fired a powerful shot just over the bar.

On 42 minutes, De Campos went close again, heading wide from a Neil Pace Cocks free-kick.

The Lions nearly broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime when Vitinho weaved past three defenders and teed up Gabriel Goncalves, who tried to outwit the advancing goalkeeper.
However, Romanian shot-stopper Laurentiu Branescu stood his ground and denied the Brazilian striker.

Naxxar began the second half with the same intensity, and Vitinho struck the side-netting, momentarily giving the illusion of a goal.

The Brazilian winger continued to trouble the Hibernians’ defence and, on 55 minutes, his swerving effort was well saved by Branescu.

In the 68^th minute, referee Daniel Casha was called to the Football Video Support (FVS) system following an appeal by Hibernians coach Branko Nisevic.

After reviewing the footage, the referee awarded a penalty, judging Amiel Sekala Guehi to have hauled down Cleiton. From the spot, Villela sent Debono the wrong way to put Hibernians ahead.

Naxxar, however, responded immediately. From a Vitinho free-kick, Firmino rose highest and headed past Branescu to restore parity.

Both sides pushed for a winner.

Hibernians substitute Mailson saw his free-kick blocked by the wall, while Vitinho’s deflected strike drifted just wide.

Two minutes from time, Naxxar launched a FVS challenge after Pablo Alves de Lima appeared to handle the ball in the box, but after another review, the referee opted not to award the penalty as the match finished in a draw.

HIBERNIANS: L. Branescu, A. Silas (78 Mailson), L. Caruana (86 A. Attard), L. Iapert, B. Kristensen, P. Alves de Lima, D. Bonnici (77 M. Ellul), Cleiton, A. Alves Cacho, P. Nunes, Charleston.

NAXXAR LIONS: M. Debono, T. Kruger, G. De Campos, N. Pace Cocks, E. Farias (57 A. Firmino), Vitinho, C. Gauci, Rosiel Pereira, G. Goncalves, C. Guehi Sekala (86 M. Mariano), J. Cardoso.

Referee: Daniel Casha.