Birkirkara’s Ryan Scicluna (left) keeping Luis Edison, of Hibs, away from the ball, yesterday. Photo: Matthew MirabelliBirkirkara’s Ryan Scicluna (left) keeping Luis Edison, of Hibs, away from the ball, yesterday. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Hibernians 1
Lima 87;
Birkirkara 4
Jhonnattann 27, 82; Z. Muscat 62; Herrera 75;

Birkirkara have done their job.

Coach Paul Zammit had called on his players to put thoughts of a final-day title duel with Valletta to one side as the champions prepared to take on Hibernians in their penultimate game.

With Birkirkara already guaranteed of remaining in the title hunt until the last weekend of the season, there was a danger that their clash with Hibs might be viewed as a distraction but Zammit's troops banished any lingering doubts about their concentration levels with another electric showing.

After going ahead early in the match, Birkirkara, inspired by the strong running of Edward Herrera, overwhelmed Hibs in the second half, scoring three goals in a pulsating 20-minute period after Obinna Obiefule's 73rd-minute expulsion had take the fight out of the erstwhile battling Paolites.

It was another consummate showing from the champions, an energetic and clinical performance which enriched the feel-good factor among their vociferous fans who sang loudly and proudly throughout the match before saluting the players with a deafening roar at the final whistle.

The title has not been secured yet but with this win, Birkirkara have opened a five-point gap at the top, turning up the heat on Valletta who need to win against Balzan tomorrow to keep the title race open.

Vindicating his pre-match declaration about the need to focus solely on the Hibs game, Zammit sent out his strongest formation.

Joseph Zerafa returned to the side at the expense of Ryan Camenzuli after the experienced left-back completed a two-match ban.

Zammit also resisted the temptation to rest those players who had been ranked doubtful in the build-up as Nikola Vukanac, Herrera and Jhonnattann were named in the starting XI.

The tactical strategy was also the same as Jhonnattann and Shola Shodiya Haruna fronted a 3-4-1-2 formation with Ryan Scicluna operating behind the two strikers.

For Hibs, young right-back Timothy Tabone Desira was preferred to experienced defender Ryan Camilleri in the only change from the 4-4 draw with Balzan.

Birkirkara were given a rapturous reception from their fans as they strode on to the pitch before kick-off. The supporters of Hibs were not as numerous but they deserve credit for their non-stop backing.

After a somewhat low-key opening, Birkirkara threatened to open the scoring when Matheus Bissi, again deputising for the injured Alejandro Mendoza, unleashed a typically ferocious free-kick which whistled past the far post.

Hibs responded with a piledriver from Jackson Lima which lacked precision.

Midway into the first half, Birkirkara fluffed a golden chance to put their noses in front. Edward Herrera charged forward on the right before sending in an inviting cross that soared above the leaping Daniel Balzan but Haruna skied his shot in front of a gaping goal.

Hibs were reprieved but not for long. The danger again emanated from Herrera who sped down the wing before directing a cross-shot that was fumbled by Balzan. Jhonnattann capitalised as he poked the ball into the untenanted net.

The ease with which Herrera was making ground on his flank was a cause of concern for Hibs coach Branko Nisevic as Clayton Failla initially struggled to curb the runs of his fellow Malta international.

Three minutes past the half-hour, Failla's free-kick from the distance was high and wide.

The first half was played in a good sporting spirit but six minutes into the second half, referee Mario Apap was confronted with a bout of pushing and shoving after Birkirkara players were incensed by Obiefule's late charge on Bissi on the byline as the latter tried to prevent a corner.

Edison and Vukanac almost came to blows before being pulled apart by their team-mates. Both were booked.

Danger loomed for Hibs when Zerafa’s defence-splitting pass landed at the feet of Jhonnattann but Failla sprinted back to dispossess the Brazilian.

The proceedings livened up. Hibs ought to have equalised when Obiefule’s diagonal pass found Edison unmarked but the usually ice-cool Brazilian rifled wide.

Apap then waved away Birkirkara’s penalty appeals after Paul Fenech’s cross came off Jonathan Pearson’s hands but, two minutes past the hour, the champions pulled further clear of their opponents.

Jhonnattann’s cross from a free-kick arched towards the six-yard box and Zach Muscat headed past Balzan to spark wild celebrations among the Birkirkara supporters. A canister contained red smoke was hurled onto the pitch amid the celebrations.

Birkirkara’s second goal was the cue for Nisevic to make a double substitution, throwing on Cohen and Johann Bezzina for Bjorn Kristensen and Jean Paul Farrugia.

A deafening applause then accompanied Paul Fenech’s walk towards the dug-out after the midfielder was substituted by Gareth Sciberras.

After cutting out a dangerous Lima cross, Haber again frustrated the Hibs midfielder.

Things got worse for Hibs when Obiefule was shown a straight red card after he was deemed to have elbowed Zach Muscat in the face.

The momentum was with the Stripes. They made the points safe when Herrera galloped into the box from the right before whacking the ball past Balzan.

There was no stopping Birkir-kara. They struck their fourth goal eight minutes from time when Jhonnattann, latching on to a perfect pass from midfield, outpaced Pearson, evaded Balzan and slotted the ball home.

Hibs got a consolation goal three minutes from time, Lima lifting his shot past Haber after getting on the end of Failla’s low cross.

Hibernians
D. Balzan-4, T. Tabone Desira-6 (83 J. Degabriele), I. Radusinovic-5, J. Pearson-5, J. Lima-7, B. Kristensen-5 (68 A. Cohen-4), Z. Levnaic-5.5, C. Failla-5, O. Obiefule, Luis Edison-5, J.P. Farrugia-5 (68 J. Bezzina-4).

Birkirkara
J. Haber-7, Z. Muscat-7 (84 F. Temile), N. Vukanac-7, M. Bissi-6, J. Zerafa-6, R. Muscat-6.5, P. Fenech-7 (70 G. Sciberras-6), R. Scicluna-6, S.S. Haruna-6, E. Herrera-7.5 (77 R. Camenzuli), Jhonnattann-7.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Yellow cards: Edison; Vukanac.

Red card: Obiefule (H) 73.

BOV player of the match: Edward Herrera (Birkirkara).

Attendance: 2,272.

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