Hibernians end Balzan's hopes to place in the top six

Hibernians will start their Championship Pool adventure on 24 points, while Naxxar Lions start the Relegation Pool on 14 points.

Hibernians attacked immediately from the start. Obinna Obiefule had a great scoring opportunity from close range but goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi made sure the ball stayed out of the net.

Five minutes into the match Edison Luis dos Santos went close to scoring with his header.

Naxxar gained more confidence as the math went on, but it would Hibernians that would take the lead.

On the 79th minute, a cross by Andrew Cohen was intercepted by Obinna Obiefule and the latter had his header beat goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi.

Hibernians were reduced to ten men on the 86th minute. Johann Bezzina brought Milan Vignjevic just outside the area and the referee immediately gave Bezzina a red card for his second bookable offence.

Hibernians made it 2-0 on the 90th minute. Off a pass by Timothy Tabone Desira, Obinna Obiefule dribbled past the onrushing goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi and easily scored to double his team's lead.

Hibernians added more misery to Naxxar in added time when Jurgen Degabriele rushed past Naxxar's goalkeeper to easily shoot into a empty net.

NAXXAR LIONS Julian Azzopardi, Raimi Bakare, Victo Bellia, Angus Buhagiar, Ryan Gilmour Cassar (84′ Duane Bonnici), Daren Falzon, Thiago Lopes de Souza, David Alejandro Reano, Andre Rocha da Silva (76′ Milan Vignjevic), Terence Scerri, Filip Stojanovic.
Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Ayrton Azzopardi, John Debono, Jurgen Debono, Ryan Mercieca.
Coach: Winston Muscat

HIBERNIANS Jurgen Borg, Igor Radusinovic, Jonathan Pearson, Scott Chircop, Timothy Tabone Desira, Johann Bezzina, Bjorn Kristensen, Matthew Bartolo (67′ Andrew Cohen), Edison Luis dos Santos (90′ Zachary Scerri), Obinna Obiefule, Jurgen Degabriele.
Subs not used: Daniel Balzan, Aaron Hili, Neil Falzon, Dunstan Vella, Jurgen Sultana
Coach: Ian Dawes

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: Bakare, Radusinovic, Thiago Lopez, Bezzina, Bonnici
Red Cards: 87′ Jurgen Bezzina
Scorers: 79′ Obinna Obiefule, 90′ Obinna Obiefule, 90+3′ Jurgen Degabriele