The Malta Independent on Sunday
Hibernians Fgura Utd Easy win lands Hibs in quarterfinals
Hibernians:
R. Briffa, D. Vella, N. Radojevic, J. Mbong, M. Dias (M. Sahanek 41), J. Degabriele, B. Kristensen, I. Ntow, T. Marcolino (D. Xuereb 58), A. Agius (T. Tabone Desira 78), T. Fonseca B. Bartolo, C. Ciantar (J. Barbara 78), J. Bugeja, T. Grech, G. Martin (I. Montanaro 72), JR Vella, J. Cassar, A. Scicluna, S. Borg, M. Gauci, G. Galea (A. Williams 70) S. Pace. R. Vella, M. Scerri. G. Tonna. T. Fonseca 4, 78, T. Marcolino 34, D. Vella 54, A. Agius 2, M. Dias 23, JR Vella 50, A. Scicluna 68
Fgura Utd: Referee: Asst refs: 4th official: Scorers: Yellow cards: Red card:
Henry Brincat
Hibernians had absolutely no difficulty in disposing of Second Division side Fgura United to advance into the quarterfinals.
The Paolites won 4-0 with goals from Fonseca and Marcolino in the first half, Dunstan Vella and again Fonseca in the second half.
As was widely expected, the Paolites dominated this match from start to finish. The difference in class was evident throughout as Fgura were never given a real opportunity to have a pot at goal, so much so that Hibs goalie Rudy Briffa could have remained at home.
The Second Division leaders did their utmost to keep the joint Premier League leaders at bay especially in the first half. They seemed to be well organised at the back and, apart from the two goals till then, Hibernians had to content themselves with some shots from the distance, even if one has to say that the Paolites also missed a number of chances, including a penalty.
In the second half, it was again one-way traffic, but Fgura could not prevent the Paolites from adding two further goals.
Hibernians took the lead on the 4th minute. From a Jurgen Degabriele cornerkick, Tiago Fonseca was on the exact spot to hit home past a helpless Bartolo.
Four minutes later, the Paolites were awarded a penalty when the official deemed goalie Bartolo had floored Marcolino, but from the spot kick, Andrei Agius saw Bartolo bringing the house down with a fantastic save.
In the 9th minute, Hibs missed a glaring opportunity to increase their lead when Fonseca, all alone in front of goal, did the impossible as he hit wide from only three metres.
Hibs continued to dominate and on 21 minutes, from a Marcolino cross, it was Nemanja Roadojevic who saw his header saved by Bartolo.
The Paolites’ pressure intensi- fied and on 28 minutes, a Joseph Mbong effort went just over.
Finally in the 34th minute, Taylon Marcolino neatly dribbled round a Fgura defender before placing the ball well wide of Bartolo’s reach.
Three minutes later, Bartolo saved the Fgura fort again as he turned to corner another Marcolino shot.
Hibs made it 3-0 on the 54th minute as Dunstan Vella, up with his forwards, received the ball on the edge of the area and he beat goalie Bartolo with a low shot.
On 56 minutes, Hibs almost added another one when from a Sahanek cross, Marcolino’s effort was deviated to a corner.
Fgura ended in 10 men when they had Andrew Scicluna dismissed for a bad foul on an opponent.
In the 75th minute, Sahanek had a low shot well saved by Bartolo. Moments later, Sahanek had a freekick partially saved by the Fgura goalie, but Fonseca was on hand to score his side’s fourth goal.