Birkirkara defeat Hiberneans to hand Valletta championship

Hibernians now sit four points behind Valletta with one match to play.

If Hibernians lose to Valletta and Birkirkara defeat Balzan, Birkirkara could finish second in the league.

Birkirkara managed to take the lead on the 40th minute. A back pass from Andrei Agius to Justin Haber did not go as planned and Birkirkara’s Vito Plus intercepted and placed the ball at the back of the net to give his team the lead.

Hibernians managed to get back into the match on the 59th minute thanks to a perfect freekick by Andrew Cohen that left no chance for goalkeeper Miroslav Kopric.

Hibernians went close to taking the lead on the 84th minute when Clayton Failla’s freekick hit the woodwork.

Birkirkara shocked Hibernians on the 90th minute when they took the lead. Mauricio Mazzetti had his shot cleared by a defender but Edmond Agius’ powerful shot from outside the area left no chance for Justin Haber.

The victory gave the Valletta supporters who were watching the match closely a reason to celebrate as Birkirkara’s victory handed them the title.

BIRKIRKARA 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 Besek

HIBERNIANS 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 Nisevic

Referee: 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