Qormi flying high as Camilo’s hat-trick floors champions

Qormi 3
Camilo 50, 79, 89
Hibernians 1
Galabov 3

Brazilian striker Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo struck a second-half hat-trick as Qormi thumped champions Hibernians to move to the top of the Premier League, level with Valletta on 10 points.

Jesmond Zerafa’s men produced a superb display after the change of ends to overturn a one-goal deficit as Camilo’s hat-trick gave them another impressive victory and ended Hibernians’ perfect start.

Never mind one point, Mark Miller’s side will have been upset not to have bagged all three. The champions ultimately paid the price for their failure to put away the scoring chances that came their way in the opening half.

Hibernians opened with serious intent, taking only three minutes to break the deadlock.

Edward Herrera worked his way down the right flank and crossed into the box where Latvian forward Olegs Malasenoks, under pressure from a defender, failed to get a touch to the ball but Rumen Galabov nipped in to head past Matthew Farrugia.

With Qormi forced to chase the game, the Paolites had several chances to increase their lead in the opening period.

For their part, Qormi battled hard to stay in touch and also created a handful of chances.

The nippy Camilo was given little chance of beating Ryan Camilleri and Jonathan Caruana in the air and make contact with Joseph Farrugia’s corner but that was just what the Brazilian did. However, he headed onto the roof of the net after five minutes.

Hibs grew in confidence after a flurry of jinking runs from Herrera and Elkien Cauchi. Galabov’s aerial threat encouraged Miller’s team to send a barrage of crosses into Qormi’s box.

Qormi were guilty of allowing the two Hibs wingers to steam in from the flanks and struggled to gain a foothold in the match.

On 22 minutes, Farrugia did well to save Herrera’s cross-cum-shot.

On the half-hour mark, Camilo ran across the edge of the box, drawing the onrushing Mario Muscat out of position but Herrera was quick to avert the danger.

Cheers greeted Miller’s men as they left the pitch at half-time but within five minutes of the second half, it was the Qormi fans who were making themselves heard when Camilo rammed a low shot past Muscat to make it 1-1.

Hibs almost regained the lead instantly when Jonathan Caruana found space on the right to cross in but Malasenoks was late to reach the ball.

But Qormi, and Camilo in particular, were proving a real menace on the break and the Brazilian was on the mark again with 11 minutes remaining. A mazy run from Alfred Effiong left a trail of defenders in his wake and provided an opening for Camilo who slotted home.

Qormi were suddenly flying and some of their football was an absolute joy to behold. Camilo crowned Qormi’s win with a fine strike to complete his hat-trick minutes before the final whistle.

The goal was an exhibition of counter-attacking football as Camilo eased past Herrera outside the box before placing his shot behind the advancing Muscat.

Camilo’s excellent hat-trick, his second in as many matches, took him top of the scorers’ list with seven goals as Qormi maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

This match marked the long-awaited return from injury of referee Adrian Casha.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, R. Dos Santos-6, M. Grima-6.5, K. Fenech-6 (’90 K. Spiteri), J. Farrugia-6, Camilo-8.5, J. Bondin-5, S. Wellman-6, R. Sammut-5, J. Chetcuti-5 (’90 Meilak), A. Effiong-7.5 (’88 R. Deguara).

Hibernians
M. Muscat-5, J. Caruana-5, E. Herrera-6, J. Pearson-5, E. Cauchi-6 (’58 Y. Cauchi-5 (’86 A. Xuereb), C. Callejas-5, E. Barbara-5, A. Cohen-6.5, R. Galabov-6.5, O. Malasenoks-6, R. Camilleri-5.

Referee: Adrian Casha.

Yellow cards: Camilleri; Callejas.

BoV player of the match: Camilo (Qormi).