Muchardi penalty punishes Hibernians

A penalty by Matias Muchardi early in the second half handed Sliema Wanderers a narrow win as they returned to winning ways, defeating Hibernians 1-0 at the National Stadium on Sunday.

Although the Blues are still seventh, they move to just three points behind the Paolites. For Hibernians, this was yet another disappointing result following two draws against Mosta and Naxxar in two out of the previous three matches.

The Wanderers took the lead five minutes in the second half when they were awarded a penalty after Rodolfo Soares was adjudged to have fouled Edmond Agius inside the area and from the penalty spot, Matias Muchardi converted.

Hibernians could have equalised on the 66th when they were awarded a penalty after Dunstan Vella was brought down by Kurt Shaw but Jurgen Degabriele’s effort from the penalty spot was neutralised by Glenn Zammit.

HIBS Andrew Hogg, Dunstan Vella, Martin Kreuzriegler, Jackson de Lima Siqueira (84′ Timothy Tabone Desira), Rodolfo Soares, Jurgen Degabriele (72′ Arlindo Oliveira Neto), Clayton Failla (62′ Johann Bezzina), Andrei Agius, Joseph Mbong, Jorge Pereira da Silva, Giorgi Gorozia.
Subs not used: Rudy Briffa, Rui da Gracia Gomes, , Daniel Buckle, David Xuereb.
Coach: Mark Miller

SLIEMA GLenn Zammit, Stefano Bianciardi, Matias Muchardi, Frank Temile, Nii Nortey Ashong, Edmond Agius (84′ Luke Borg), Michele Sansone (64′ Jefferson de Assis), Frenci Qeros, Ricardo Calisto Correa Duarte (92′ Ryan Spiteri), John Mintoff, Kurt Shaw.
Subs not used: Timothy Aquilina, Lee Pisani, Gary Muscat, Peter Xuereb.
Coach: John Buttigieg

Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referee: Alan Camilleri, Theodore Zammit
Fourth Official: Eman Grech
Yellow Cards: Agius, Kreuzriegler, Agius, Lima, Gorozia, Correa
BOV Player of the Match: Glenn Zammit
Attendance: 597