Hibernians 6
Failla 15; Kristensen 20; Ribeiro 29, 31, Camilleri 68, Lima 81
Rabat Ajax 0
Hibernians ran riot against a poor Rabat Ajax side to go top of the Premier League standings, one point clear of Valletta and two ahead of Birkirkara, but the latter two, however, have played a game less.
Michael Woods’ side seized the initiative right from the kick-off and rattled in four goals in the opening half an hour against the relegation strugglers who had not lost by more than a three-goal margin in the Premier League this season.
It was generosity beyond the call of duty for Rabat Ajax who, encouraged by their brave performance against the Stripes, they settled out with a courageous three-pronged attack – Wayne Borg, Jose Armaro Negrin and Justin Felice – aimed at instilling confidence in his side.
True to current festive season, Rabat Ajax started doling out gifts in an error-strewn opening half with Anderson Ribeiro helping himself to a brace as Clayton Failla and Bjorn Kristensen put their side 4-0 up without breaking a sweat.
The result spoke volumes for the Hibernians’ goal machine that clicked back into gear as they cruised to their second consecutive high-scoring victory.
Serbian defender Zoran Levnaic was omitted from the Hibs starting line-up but Woods was compelled to make two other changes to the team that figured in the 5-1 drubbing of Melita.
Ribeiro deputised for Allan Kardeck, out with a hamstring problem, and Jonathan Pearson replaced the suspended Udo Nwoko. On the positive note, Jackson Lima provided a timely fitness boost for the Paolities.
Rabat coach Silvio Vella suffered more injury headaches as Manuel Fuster joined the Ajax’s extensive injury list with Borg replacing the Spaniard in the only change from the team that face Birkirkara last weekend.
Four minutes into the game, Sean Mintoff, the Rabat goalkeeper did well to push Adrian Pulis’s header over the bar.
The Magpies mustered a good move when Negrin released Borg on the flank but the nippy striker was blocked by Ryan Camilleri.
The first real blow was always going to be of huge importance, even more so when the Paolities were able to deliver it on 15 minutes.
Ivan Carapic was deemed to have used his hands to stop Ribeiro’s effort just outside the box. Failla stepped up for the kick and unleashed a fine strike that ripped past the Rabat goalkeeper.
The Paolities supremacy deserved further reward and it duly came before six minutes later. It was a flash of instinctive genius when Bjorn Kristensen when he scored with a backheel-volley following an Andrew Cohen corner-kick.
That second goal resulted in Rabat going into a defensive shell as Ribeiro showed his goalscoring prowess when first he powered in a low shot past the onrushing Mintoff after 29 minutes.
Two minutes later, Dias delivered a cross in the box for Ribeiro to tap the ball in.
After the break, Rabat escaped unscathed when they failed to deal with Cohen’s cross and Ribeiro pounced in but he did the impossible, knocking the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
In the 68th minute, Jean Paul Farrugia dispossessed Yan Cauchi and beat Azzopardi before sliding the ball across to give Ryan Camilleri a simple finish.
Yet there was still time for a sixth Hibs goal as the returning Lima got the opportunity to get his name on the scoresheet with a low drive nine minutes from time.
Hibernians: M. Muscat-6, A. Pulis-6, R. Camilleri-7, R. Soares-6 (56 Z. Levnaic-5), J. Pearson-6, M. Dias-6 (56 J.P. Farrugia-7), A. Cohen-7, B. Kristensen-8, C. Failla-7, A. Ribeiro-7, Jackson Lima-7.
Rabat: S. Mintoff-4.5, I. Carapic-4, J. Caruana-5.5, J. Felice-4, J. L. Armaro Negrin-4, D. Falzon-5, W. Borg-4, P. Borg-5, Y. Cauchi-4, D. Azzopardi-4, C. Gauci-4.5 (85 L. Cauchi).
Referee Glenn Tonna.
Yellow cards Carapic, Azzopardi.
BOV Player of the match Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians).
Attendance: 473.