Hibernians worthy winners in black and white

Football - BOV Premier League - Tribute to the new champions...........

Hibernians claimed the BoV Premier League trophy at a sundrenched Ta’ Qali National Stadium yesterday, with black and white streamers and banners fluttering down as the stadium’s main stand erupted in joyous celebration proclaiming the qualities of true and worthy champions.

The new champions have a blend of steel and snarl, shrewd when they have to be and can bully opponents as often as they scintillate with their slick football .

Hibernians have been by far a stronger team than that that came so close but wilted in the past two seasons and no rival could match the relentless consistency – only one defeat (and after they already had secured the title) in 33 games - they have mustered this season. The fact that their 11th title was confirmed with three matches to spare, proves this notion.

The trophy, celebrated with such gusto before and after the final league match against Valletta, is the result of long-term planning. This season there was work ethic, group ethic and a few players who were brought to the squad gave them qualities the Paolites did not have before.

Coach Branco Nisevic’s blueprint was shaped by his experiences over last season as he gauged all teh available elements. Helped by some of his tactical tweaks, the club forged on an efficient recruitment in order to secure the spine required to sustain a proper challenge.

While retaining the bulk of their foreigners, defender Rodolfo Soares, midfielder Jackson Lima, wide player Marcelo Dias and striker Luis Edison (Tarabaj), they reinforced their ranks with new signings of defender Rui Gomes Da Gracia from Equatorial New Guinea as well as other Brazilian forward Jorginho who scored an impressive 25 goals in his first season with the Paolites and ended up joint top scorer.

On the local market, Hibernians engaged a new goalkeeper, Henry Bonello, as a replacement for the long-serving Mario Muscat and added Maltese international Andrei Agius, whose presence in central defence transmitted confidence.

With Luis Edison, his side’s most consistent attacking threat and the League’s top scorer with 25 goals, destined to leave the club for South Korea in March, Hibernians made up with the additions of strikers Andre Lima De Melo and Marko Rajic in January, to ensure things keep running smoothly. The return of Jean Paul Farrugia from the Czech Republic at the start of the year, gave coach Nisevic more attacking options.

The other local regulars have accepted the demands placed on them by the management and gave a valid contribution. Bjorn Kristensen has been the creative hub in central midfield, Clayton Failla has been the conveyerbelt of assists, as well as a finisher, while the talismatic captain Andrew Cohen arguably conjured some of the most authorative football of his career and would be a great shame if he is not named the Footballer of the Year.

Youngsters also kept finding their space, although limited, in this winning squad, with the likes of keeper Jurgen Borg, defenders Joseph Mbong, Timothy Desira Tabone and Keith Tanti, midfielder Johann Bezzina and forward Jurgen Degabriele given adequate playing time along the course of this campaign.

Apart from 97 goals scored, the Hibernians squad this season have always had that stingy back-line to rely on. The back three, normally made up of Soares, Agius and Gomes, with some appearances by Jonathan Pearson, appeared unbreachable at times. Hibernians have conceded only 24 goals this season and kept a clean sheet in 14 matches.

As the season unfolded, the squad seemed to buy into Nisevic’s demands and the players appreciate the detailed instructions which their coach provides, along with his defending of them in public. The club has backed him, with the employment of capable backroom staff and team manager Jeffrey Farrugia.

Club president Tony Bezzina, watching as always from the stands, had good reason to reflect on this championship win with pride as his project yielded reward.

If they did benefit from the inadequacies of the chasing pack, especially of Valletta and Birkirkara, Hibernians still provided the blend and balance required to be champions and should be remembered as worthy winners – a side shrewdly constructed and cannily coached who were head and shoulders above the rest.

And the gap of nine points to second suggests Hibernians are set to dominate the local scene for some time to come.