BIRKIRKARA 0
HIBERNIANS 2
Fraga 25
Bruno 90
BIRKIRKARA
G. Volpe; I. Morello, L. Cordova (46 A. Sandona), S. Dimech, A. Zammit, K. Zammit, S. Paintsil, L. Lacunza, N. Micallef (46 Maicon), A. Coppola, Y. Gnamien.
HIBERNIANS
H. Sacco; A. Silas, K. Shaw, K. Fraga, M. Carvalho (65 I. Chukunyere) (77 A. Attard), J. Degabriele (77 Kleiton), F. Falcone (72 L. Caruana), A. Silva, M. Ellul, P. Silva, H. Gabriel.
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Yellow cards: Cordova, Coppola, Morello, Gabriel, Fraga.
Hibernians scored a goal in each half and secured three crucial points with a 2-0 victory over league leaders Birkirkara.
The win moves the Paolites on 27 points, level with Sliema Wanderers, who still have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Birkirkara suffered their third defeat of the season, putting their top spot at risk.
Floriana, trailing by just three points, could go level on points with victory over the Wanderers on Tuesday.
If Sliema beat Floriana it would set up an intriguing final day as all three teams can finish top of the standings.
Both sides were forced to adjust their lineups due to suspensions, with Hibernians missing captain Bjorn Kristensen and Giannis Bastianos, while Birkirkara were without Alexander Satariano and league top scorer Maxuell, who has netted 10 goals this season.
The match also marked a milestone for referee Trustin Farrugia Cann, who officiated his 200th game.
The opening stages saw a slow tempo as both teams focused on organisation and caution. The first real opportunity came after 20 minutes when Federico Falcone’s volley from a tight angle was saved by Birkirkara goalkeeper Giacomo Volpe.
Moments later, Khevin Fraga broke the deadlock, as he capitalized on poor marking by the Birkirkara defence and nod home from a Jurgen Degabriele corner to give Hibernians the lead.
Birkirkara struggled to respond for the remainder of the first half, with Hibernians holding firm to maintain their advantage at the break.
In the second half, Birkirkara introduced Agustin Sandona and Maicon for Neil Micallef and the already-booked Luis Cordova, as they sought to spark a comeback.
Their new signing Seth Paintsil, making his first start, was replaced before the hour mark by Paul Mbong as they continued to chase the game.
Birkirkara began to pile on the pressure, with Hibernians goalkeeper Hugo Sacco producing crucial saves, including a fine stop from Ignacio Morello’s volley and another from Shaun Dimech’s low strike.
Sandona also came close, with his effort narrowly missing the target.
Despite Birkirkara’s late push for an equaliser, Hibernians sealed the victory in stoppage time through Alex Bruno, securing a vital win to keep their flickering hopes of a top-three finish alive.
