A goal by Edmond Agius on the 90th minute gave Birkirkara a dramatic 2-1 win over Hibernians and the BOV Premier League title to Valletta as the Paolites stay four points behind the Citizens with one game to go.
A defensive blunder led Birkirkara to forge ahead but a freekick by Andrew Cohen cancelled their lead. However as the game seemed heading for a draw which would have seen Hibernians face Valletta in a decisive clash next weekend, the Stripes, had other thoughts, notching the winner in the dying minutes.
Birkirkara now move two points behind Hibernians and could still take the runner-up spot, should they beat Balzan and Hibernians lose to Valletta.
Hibernians almost managed to take the lead on the 28th minute when Birkirkara goalkeeper Miroslav Kopric rushed out of the area in attempt to clear the ball into safety but lost the ball to Jorge Santos Silva but the latter’s shot was blocked by Mauricio Mazzetti.
Five minutes from the end of the first half, Birkirkara took the lead when Vito Plut took advantage of a back pass by Andrei Agius for Justin Haber who could not touch the ball but only try to clear and the Slovenian striker blocked his attempt and placed the ball at the back of the net.
Hiberinans equalised on the 59th thanks to a direct freekick by susbtitute Andrew Cohen which gave goalkeeper Miroslav Kopric no chance.
Clayton Failla almost notched the winner on the 83rd but his freekick hit the crossbar.
However on the 90th minute, a great goal by Edmond Agius handed victory to Birkirkara and the title to Valletta as he managed to beat Haber with a curved shot from outside the area from the left after a Mauricio Mazzetti effort was cleared by a defender.
B’KARA Miroslav Kopric, Cain Attard, Mauricio Mazzetti, Christian Bubalovic, Joseph Zerafa (49′ Kurt Zammit)(83′ Ryan Darmanin), Gareth Sciberras, Edmond Agius (90+1′ Matthew Guilluamier), Mislav Andelkovic, Goran Mujanovic, Frank Temile, Vito Plut.
Subs not used: Ini Etim Akpan, Edward Herrera, Fabien Lufi, Clint Zammit.
Coach: Drazen BesekHIBS Justin Haber, Jonathan Pearson (83′ Diosdado Mbele Mangue), Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla (90′ Jurgen Degabriele), Andrei Agius, Jorge da Silva Pereira, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, Jorge Santos Silva (45′ Andrew Cohen).
Subs not used: Rudy Briffa, Dunstan Vella, Zach Scerri, Andrew Cohen, Joseph Essien Mbong.
Coach: Branko NisevicReferee: Philip Farrugia
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Luke Portelli
Additional Assistant Referees: Malcolm Spiteri, Matthew Degabriele
Fourth Official: Martin Borg
Yellow Cards: Bubalovic, Pearson, Temile, Mazzetti
Scorers: 40′ Vito Plut, 59′ Andrew Cohen, 90′ Edmond Agius
BOV Player of the Match: Mauricio Mazzetti
Attendance: 2,725