Hibernians 2
Edison 29, 88;
Qormi 1
Effiong 6 pen;

Mario Muscat bid adieu to football with a victory in a highly-dramatic match when 10-man Hibns beat Qormi thanks to Luis Edison’s last-gasp winner, yesterday.

A man short and one goal down, Hibs were up against it but despite having Rodolfo Soares dismissed after just four minutes, they turned the tables on their opponents to win it at death.

Qormi, so vibrant and well-organised, coped well with their opponents’ methodical build-ups and looked well in control of the match until the 88th minute when Edison unleashed a fierce shot into the net to maintain the Paolites’ perfect start.

Before kick-off, MFA vice-president Ludovico Micallef and Hibernians FC president Tony Bezzina presented mementos to Muscat for his contribution to the national team and club.

The 38-year-old Muscat brought the curtains down on his competitive career last night, following a record 500 Premier League appearances.

The match started on a terrible note for Hibs as they were dealt a double-blow inside the first five minutes when they conceded a penalty following Soares’s tackle on Frank Temile which earned the Brazilian defender a straight red card. Alfred Effiong converted from the spot.

Branko Nisevic switched to 4-4-1 with Marcelo Dias dropping to the back four and Jorginho, formerly of Qormi, deployed as a lone striker.

Qormi’s initial formation showed two changes, Roderick Sammut replacing Steve Agius and new Ghanaian signing Albert Bruce taking the place of Anderson Santos.

Hibs were rocked and close to the eighth minute, Effiong’s through-ball reached Temile but his grounder was tamed by Muscat.

The Paolites’ timid reaction failed to produce any tangible opportunities as they were relying too much on hopeful shots from set-pieces. Andrew Cohen’s delivery ended over the bar past the 24th minutes.

Hibernians’ forays were always going to be danger for Qormi though.

And so it proved as they drew level just before the half hour when Edison teed up with Jorginho before curling the ball low into the bottom corner of the net.

Qormi were shaken out of their comfort zone. They tried to react and three minutes later, Temile’s header was pushed around the post by Muscat.

At half-time, Nisevic, brought on Jackson Lima for Johann Bezzina. This change was meant to infuse some flair into the Paolites’ forward moving momentum as they switched to 4-3-2 with Edison playing alongside Jorginho up front.

Yet, they failed to trouble Matthew Farrugia, the Qormi goalkeeper oozing confidence behind a solid phalanx of unyielding defenders, who moved forward with purpose and good effect.

Ten minutes from time, Qormi finished with six foreign players on the pitch following a mix-up as Duncan Pisani made way for Pietro Viggiani.

Play stopped when Qormi officials drew the attention of the match officials that the player leaving the pitch should be Temile.

Qormi were finding it hard to translate their numerical superiority into clear-cut openings, bumping into the compact defensive wall built by the Paolites.

In one rapid counter-attack, Zoran Levniac held off an opponent before squaring for un-marked substitute Ryan Micallef who shot straight into Muscat’s hands.

Hibernians never buckled though and two minutes from time, Edison chested down Jackson Lima’s centre before unleashing a powerful volley that flew past a helpless Farrugia.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-7, K. Tanti-6, R. Soares, R. da Garcia Gomes-5.5, M. Dias-6, A. Cohen-6 (85 T. Desira Tabone), C. Failla-5.5, B. Kristensen-6, J. Bezzina-5 (46 Jackson Lima-6), L. Edison-7.5, Jorginho-5.5 (90 J. Degabriele).

Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, J. Bondin-6, M. Mazzetti-6.5, E. Vella-6, D. Pisani-5.5 R. Sammut-6, J. Chetcuti-5 (75 R. Micallef), Z. Levniac-7, A. Bruce-6.5 (88 B. Bondin), A. Effiong-6, F. Temile-6 (79 P. Viggiani).

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Effiong, Sammut, Kristensen, Temile, Pisani, Levniac.

Red card: Soares (H) 4.

BOV player of the match: Luis Edison (Hibernians).

Standings

  P W D L F A Pts
Birkirkara 2 2 0 0 6 1 6
Hibernians 2 2 0 0 4 0 6
Mosta 2 2 0 0 2 0 6
Balzan 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Qormi 2 1 0 1 2 2 3
Sliema W. 2 0 2 0 2 2 2
Tarxien R. 2 0 2 0 1 1 2
Naxxar L. 2 0 1 1 1 2 1
Valletta 2 0 1 1 0 1 1
Floriana 2 0 1 1 1 4 1
Pietà H. 2 0 0 2 1 3 0
Żebbug R. 2 0 0 2 2 8 0

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