Hibernians score five in goal-packed clash

BOV-Premier-LeagueHibernians made sure of beginning the second phase in third place thanks to a 5-3 win over Qormi at the Hibernians Stadium on Monday.

The game kicked-off with a bang with Qormi taking the lead after just a couple of minutes with the Paolites hitting back with three goals within the first fifteen minutes, leaving no doubt which way the three points were going.

Karel Zeman’s side remains second from bottom as this was the fourth consecutive defeat and the sixth defeat in seven matches.

Qormi lacked Jonathan Bondin and the suspended Owen Bugeja and Triston Caruana apart from Jorge Pereira da Silva but had Italians Giorgio Gianola and Raffaele Simone Quintieri making their debut. Clayton Failla, Andrew Cohen and Bjorn Kristensen were missing for Hibernians.

Qormi took the lead after just two minutes when Quintieri served Christian Terribile on teh right and the latter beat Daniel Balzan with a low shot.

Hibs restored equilibrium on the 9th minute thanks to Obinna Obiefule who received a pass inside the area and despite close marking, he managed to control and slot the ball past Matthew Farrugia.

Hardly a minute later, Hibernians took the lead thanks to a diagonal shot from the right by Edison Luis dos Santos which gave Matthew Farrugia no chance.

The Paolites increased the lead on the 15th when Jackson Lima served Obinna Obiefule on the left and the latter hit low past the Qormi custodian.

Just before half-time, a Lucas Cantoro freekick, deflected by Daniel Balzan, hit the crossbar, ending into a corner.

Three minutes inthe second half, Jackson di Lima Siqueira scored the fourth goal after exchanging the ball with Tarabai and beating Farrugia with a low shot from inside the area.

Alfred Effiong scored a second goal for Qormi on the 57th after receiving a cross by Duncan Pisani, controlling the ball and hitting low past Daniel Balzan.

Four minutes from time, Qormi reduced the gap even further when off an assist by Alfred Effiong, Leighton Grech beat Balzan with a fine diagonal shot.

However two minutes in added time, Edison Luis dos Santos took advantage of an erratic clearance by Farrugia, advanced into the area and placed the ball inside the empty net.

HIBS Daniel Balzan, Timothy Tabone Desira, Ryan Camilleri, Jonathan Pearson, Jackson Di Lima Siqueira, Scott Chircop, Brandon Muscat (73′ Jurgen Degabriele), Zoran Levnajic, Matthew Bartolo (84′ Johann Bezzina), Edison Luis dos Santos (93′ Zachary Scerri), Obinna Obiefule.
Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, Dunstan Vella, Neil Falzon, Aaron Hili.
Coach: Branko Nisevic

QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Alfred Effiong, Roderick Bajada, Christian Terribile (90′ Leonardo Gabrieli), Giorgio Gianola, Lucas Cantoro, Raffaele Simone Quintieri (81′ Dylan Pirotta), Emerson Vella, Duncan Pisani, Roderick Sammut, Leighton Grech.
Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Terence Abela, Karl Sciortino, George Portelli, Stefano Zampa.
Coach: Karel Zeman

Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Sammy Attard
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: Bajada, Terribile, Levnajic, Effiong, Jackson Lima
Scorers: 2′ Christian Terribile (Q); 9′ Obinna Obiefule (H); 10′ Edison Luis dos Santos (H); 15′ Obinna Obiefule (H); 48′ Jackson di Lima Siqueira (H); 57′ Alfred Effiong (Q); 86′ Leighton Grech (Q); 90+2′ Edison Luis dos Santos (H)
BOV Player of the Match: Edison Luis dos Santos
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