Sliema Wanderers and Hibs settle for point in Bottom 6 opener

SLIEMA WANDERERS         1       

Halabaku 18

HIBERNIANS         1       

Djuranovic 40

SLIEMA WANDERERS

R. Al Tumi, J. Borg, N. Micallef (69 T. Espindola), U. Djuranovic, R. Prsa (89 N. Frendo), G. Alcino, E. Agius, Wescley, M. Freire, M. Awad, F. Gomes.

HIBERNIANS

L. Branescu, C. Attard (73 M. Debattista), S. Hamanjoda, K. Shaw, Miullen (89 S. Akinbule), B. Kristensen, K. Halabaku, Cleiton (61 M. Lima), D. Norenkov, Pedrao, Charleston.

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele.

Yellow cards: N. Micallef, K. Halabaku, F. Gomes, D. Norenkov

Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in a match which  kicked-off the YoHealth Malta Premier Closing Round Bottom 6.

Although the two teams were hoping for a winning start in their bid to secure their Premier status, Sliema and Hibs shared the exchanges for long stretches and had to settle for a draw.

Both sides had three changes from their last outings as Nikolai Micallef, Edmond Agius, Wescley and Fernandinho were all handed a start for Sliema in the absence of Adam Magri Overend, Steve Pisani and Andre Seruca with Thiaguinho being named among the substitutes.

On the other hand, for Hibernians, Alfred Silas, Denys Norenkov and Cleiton were preferred to Aiden Zammit, Ali Diakite and Mailson Lima.

Hibernians managed to take the lead on 18 minutes.

Norenkov had a first attempt blocked by a defender and Kevin Halabaku slotted the ball past the helpless Al Tumi.

Sliema replied with a Murilo Freire header ending just wide off an Edmond Agius corner from the left on the half hour.

Five minutes later, off a Mohamed Awad cross, Roko Prisa had a header turned into a corner by Branescu.

Five minutes from the end of the first half, Sliema levelled matters. Following a corner from the left, Freire headed the ball in the direction of Uros Djuranovic who flicked the ball past Branescu from close range.

Six minutes in the second half, Edmond Agius tried his luck with a shot from outside the area which was parried by the Hibs custodian.

Five minutes later, Awad missed a good opportunity when served on the right by Fernandinho, hitting high from the edge of the area.

The Wanderers thought they had taken the lead on 70 minutes when substitute Thiaguinho’s shot from the left was deflected by a defender past goalkeeper Branescu.

But the goal was disallowed for an offside position, a decision which was confirmed after the FVS review.

At the other end of the pitch, Mailson Lima tested Rashed Al Tumi with a cross shot from the left which however was neutralised by the Sliema custodian on 76 minutes.

Five minutes from time, Prsa had a good opportunity when served by Awad from the right but had two attempts blocked by defenders.

Late onbż, Djuranovic had a powerful show from inside the area parried by Branescu.

Finally, in stoppage time, Bjorn Kristensen tested Al Tumi with a shot from outside the area and Murilo Freire had a close-range header saved by Branescu off an Edmond Agius free kick.