Hibernians win after pedestrian start
A solitary second half goal was enough to decide a monotonous match in Hibernians’ favour.
Jurgen Degabriele gave a timely reminder of his attacking threat as he struck the winner with his only chance of the match.
Hibernians made a pedestrian start and did not look dangerous before taking the lead. They only improved slightly and took command after that, finishing as the more potent side.
For a whole hour, Hamrun seemed well on top until Degabriele shifted the power balance with his winning goal for the champions.
Hamrun must take credit for the strength of personality shown by their newly assembled side. But they need more aggression and a greater goal threat to win these kind of matches.
Despite enjoying the bulk of possession, they managed just one real attempt on target.
A change to Hamrun’s play was moving the ball quicker than they managed at any stage last season, and much of that was due to ‘Chico’ Clavero’s pace and directness.
Hamrun retained six Brazilian players in their line-up but Steve Sultana replaced Jake Galea in goal and Karl Micallef started instead of Chircitizens cop in defence.
In a first half of very few clear chances, Hamrun looked lively if not exactly subtle. Their best opportunity came past the quarter hour when De Castro was the first to test the Hibernians’ keeper Hogg, producing a smart save to hold out his effort.
Hibernians, who dropped Joseph Mbong to the bench and gave a start to Martin Kreuzriegler instead, never produced enough going forward to suggest they might breach the Spartans’ rearguard and Sultana’s goal was rarely threatened. In the opening 45 minutes the champions only showed up with a 37-minute Lima free kick and a Kristensen header that both missed the target.
Things shook up a bit short of the hour. Minutes after coach Mark Miller brought on Jorge Elias for Failla, to give his side some needed impetus in attack, Jurgen Degabriele chased a Lima long pass and as the striker burst inside the Hamrun area he put his effort past keeper Sultana.
It was a goal that puctured Hamrun’s promising start and interrupted their tempo.
Hamrun coach Jacques Scerri was quick to introduce other Brazilian forward Pedro Gois in an attempt to get back into the game.
But Hamrun failed to bother keeper Hogg and Hamrun’s Sultana ended up teh busier keeper as he helf out efforts from Lima and Soares in the dying minutes.
Hamrun’s chances of salvaging a point from an added-time corner, were thwarted by Hogg.
Today
Bank of Valletta Premier League 6.30pm Gzira U.-Birkirkara; 8.45pm Naxxar L.Sliema W.
Valletta Premier Mosta-Lija Ath. Bank of League 7pm