BOV Premier League | Gżira United 3 – Hibernians 2

Gżira created the first chance on goal after two minutes. From a free-kick, Andrew Cohen fired a shot that was neutralised by Andrew Hogg.

The Maroons threatened again on the 5th minute. Roderick Briffa sent a cross towards Amadou Samb, but the latter failed to make contact with the ball as Hogg managed to save.

Gżira kept insisted and had another good opportunity on the 19th minute. Samb sent a cross shot which Hogg tipped behind with difficulty.

The efforts put in by Gżira paid off on the 22nd minute. Ndubisi Emmanuel Okoye hit a shot that was handled by Rui Da Gracia Gomes inside the penalty area. The referee ordered a penalty and showed Gracia his second yellow card. From the eleven metres mark, Samb converted.

Hibernians hit back and were awarded a penalty three minutes later. Clifford Gatt Baldacchino fouled Jurgen Degabriele inside the penalty area and the referee signalled a penalty. However, from the elven metres mark, Degabriele hit the post.

On the 27th minute, Gary Muir hit a shot from a free-kick that forced a difficult save from Hogg.

Hibs were denied by the post on the 36th minute. Bjorn Kristensen served Rodolfo Soares and the latter fired a powerful drive that took a deflection off the goalkeeper and hit the post.

The Paolites kept improving and threatened again on the 43rd minute. Martin Kreuzriegler sent a cross that was met by Marco Sahanek whose header nearly stunned Curmi.

Two minutes later, Jorge Elias Dos Santos went past a defender and fired a shot that forced a good save from Curmi.

Mark Miller’s side managed to equalise from the resulting corner. Jackson De Lima Siqueira’s cross was met by Kreuzriegler who slotted the ball inside the net.

A minute into the second half, Cohen of Gżira hit a shot from the edge of the penalty area that went centimetres off target.

Cohen tried his luck once more on the 48th minute, but his shot was saved by Hogg.

Hibs ended up in nine men on the 64th minute as Marcelo Dias was shown his second yellow after passing some remarks towards the referee.

Gżira thought that they have scored on the 72nd minute, but the assistant referee raised his flag as Samb was judged to be in an offside position.

The Maroons had another opportunity on the 75th minute. Briffa sent a shot from the edge of the penalty area that ended up wide.

Two minutes later, Gżira retained the lead. Joseph Mbong lost possession to Samb who went through on the left and placed the ball behind Hogg.

Despite playing with nine men, Hibs equalised again on the 85th minute. Moises Avila Perez fouled Dunstan Vella inside the penalty area and the referee signalled the third penalty of the match. From the eleven metres mark, substitute Clayton Failla made no mistake.

On the 90th minute, Failla hit a powerful shot from distance that was blocked by Curmi.

The drama continued in the additional time as Gżira scored the winning goal. Cohen hit a stunning shot that gave Hogg no chance.

Gżira United starting line-up: Anthony Curmi, Gary Muir, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (Souleymance Diamoutene – 69), Sem Kamana, Karl Pulo, Moises Avila Perez, Roderick Briffa, Andrew Cohen, Ndubisi Emmanuel Okoye (Nikolai Muscat – 80), Samba Tounkara, Amadou Samb (Zack Scerri -93)

Hibernians starting line-up: Andrew Hogg, Martin Kreuzriegler, Rui Da Gracia Gomes, Jackson De Lima Siqueira (Dunstan Vella – 80), Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Jurgen Degabriele (Joseph Mbong – 67), Bjorn Kristensen (Clayon Failla – 84), Jorge Elias Dos Santos, Andrei Aguis, Marco Sahanek

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, William Debattista

Fourth Official: Ishmael Barbara

BOV Player of the Match: Amadou Samb (Gżira)