Gzira getting used to dizzy heights

Football - BOV Premier League

ons, who missed a penalty themselves, hit back with an equaliser before halftime.

Hibernians were further depleted after Dias’ sending off past the hour and Gzira looked home and dry when Samb again gave them the lead on 77 minutes. But Hibernians looked like pulling up a shock result, drawing level through a Clayton Failla penalty five minutes from normal time, only for Cohen to score deep into four minutes of added time and inflict the first defeat for the champions.

The Maroons began brightly against an unchanged Hibernians team, again without Clayton Failla in their starting line-up.

Keeper Hogg was called to hold out Cohen’s free kick and then Briffa whipped a long cross inside the Hibernians area. Samb failed to connect and was thwarted by the Hibernians’ shot-stopper within the opening five minutes.

The match had several turning points, the first coming after 20 minutes. There was no doubt about Gzira’s penalty award when Okoye’s shot was held by Rui Gomes’ outstretched arm inside the Hibernians area, but the referee also booked the Hibernians defender for the second time in the match and eventually sent him off.

The champions were also awarded a penalty five minutes later after Gzira defender Gatt Baldacchino fouled the advancing Degabriele on the edge of the area. Degabriele however struck the upright and the chance went begging. With Gzira enjoying numerical superiority, Samb’s scorching change of pace and excellent positional sense, at times ripped Miller’s imposing three man backline apart as Andrei Agius dropped at the back.

Towards the half hour a Muir rasping free kick was held out by the outstretched Hogg.

The champions looked struggling to find their footing, but were unlucky not to draw level on 36 minutes. Soares picked a Kristensen square pass from outside the Gzira area and thumped a shot against the bar.

The scoreline would surely have been more decisive for Gzira had Okaye taken proper advantage of Tounkara’s inviting low cross a minute later.

Instead, Hibernians equalised in the half’s added time. Off a Lima corner, Martin Kreuzriegler surprised keeper Curmi with a soft touch of the ball.

The rhythm of the match dipped significantly after the interval.

Gzira were content to sit deep and frustrate their opponents. Hibernians rarely looked like scoring as they ran out of ideas as to how to find a way through the massed Maroon defence.

Things turned worse for the champions on 63 minutes. Dias was also sent off for a second caution, after passing some remarks towards the referee.

Hibernians drafted in Joseph Mbong for Degabriele as Gzira tried to exploit spaces on the flanks.

Gzira thought they had re- gained the lead on 70 minutes, but Samb was deemed offside when he headed home Muir’s cross. But there was no denying the Maroons seven minutes later. Amadou Samb robbed Mbong of possession, advanced and beat keeper Hogg with a low drive.

Gzira were on the brink of victory but with five minutes remaining, Hibernians won another penalty, for Avila Perez’ foul on Vella, and substitute Clayton Failla scored what looked like a surprise equaliser.

Cohen was soon to break the Paaolites’ hearts however in the game’s added time with a dramatic winner.

Gzira United's Andrew Cohen (R), challenged by Hibernians' Marco Sahanek, starred in his side's 3-2 triumph over his former side, striking the winner late in injury time. Photo: Domenic Aquilina