Hibernians 2
Alarcon 38; Failla 55 pen;
Birkirkara 1
Agius 61;

Newcomer Chendo Alarcon and Clayton Failla scored on either side of half-time as Hibernians obtained their first win in the Euro Cup after beating Birkirkara by the odd goal in three at the Centenary Stadium yesterday.

It was a timely boost for the Paolites who had lost their opening match against Sliema 3-0 last week while the Stripes also had something to smile about with new signing Edmond Agius netting on his debut.

Branko Nisevic handed a debut to Guinean defender Rui da Garcia Gomes and Spanish striker Alarcon. Daniel Balzan and Triston Caruana were rested and replaced by Jurgen Borg and Johann Bezzina.

His Birkirkara counterpart Paul Zammit reshaped his formation, Edward Herrera and Ryan Scicluna moved on the flanks with Terence Vella leading the attack in a 4-4-3 configuration. Agius started on the bench alongside Lucky Omerou.

Defender Zach Muscat, at the centre of transfer rumours on a possible move to Italy, flanked Alejandro Mendoza and Mattheus Bissi.

Birkirkara saw more of the ball early on but it was Hibs who went ahead on 38 minutes when Alarcon headed home a Failla cross.

Minutes later, Herrera’s effort was deflected to a corner by Pearson.

Zammit introduced Agius and Omerou at the start of the second half while Nisevic brought on Bashhiru Imole and Caruana.

Hibernians doubled their advantage on 55 minutes.

Mendoza blocked Cohen’s free-kick with his hand and Failla converted the resultant penalty.

Birkirkara slowly improved their play and Agius illuminated the game with a fine goal.

Running into the box to meet Omerou’s pass, he fired a pulverising volley which gave goalkeeper Jurgen Borg no chance.

In the 79th minute, Birkirkara were awarded a penalty when Joseph Zerafa’s shot was stopped in the box by Bjorn Kristensen’s hand.

However, Vella saw his effort from the spot pushed away by Borg.

Hibernians
J. Borg, T. Tabone Desira, R. Da Garica Gomes, J. Pearson (46 B. Imole), B. Muscat (71 K. Tanti), Z. Levnaic (46 T. Caruana), B. Kristensen, J. Bezzina (62 A. Azzopardi), A. Cohen (62 I. Wisdom), C. Failla,C. Alarcon (71 J. Degabriele).

Birkirkara
A. Murcia, K. Zammit, A. Mendoza, M. Bissi, T. Vella, R. Scicluna (45 J. Zerafa), P. Fenech (88 A. Curmi), G. Sciberras (80 R. Gatt Deffaele), R. Camenzuli (46 E. Agius), E. Herrera (46 L. Omerou), Z. Muscat.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Tomorrow: 19.00 Hibs vs Valletta.
Thursday: 19.00 Sliema vs Birkirkara.

Standings