Denni floors inept champions

Tarxien Rainbows 2
Denni 22, 87
Hibernians 0

Denni Rocha Dos Santos was the toast of Tarxien Rainbows yesterday as the wily schemer grabbed a fine brace to propel his team past neighbouring rivals Hibernians at the National Stadium.

It was another classy performance from the Brazilian livewire who tormented the outgoing champions with his speed and technique, delivering two masterful finishes that secured a famous derby victory and his club's first success in the Championship Pool this season.

Hibs had another disappointing outing. They looked short of ideas for most of the match and never really threatened to break down a solid Tarxien defence.

The Paolites slipped to their fourth successive defeat as a consequence of another below-par display.

Hibs coach Mark Miller could not field his strongest formation as Uruguayan midfielder Christian Callejas was serving a one-match ban while the influential Andrew Cohen was only certified fit to start on the bench. Jonathan Caruana and Ryan Camilleri failed to recover from injury.

Noel Coleiro, the Tarxien coach, had to do without chief scorer Anderson Ribeiro and midfielder Kurt Magro, both suspended. Gianluca Calabretta was given the go-ahead to start but Andrew Decesare failed to recover from injury.

Prior to the match, a minute's silence was observed in respect of former Hibs stalwart Eddie Theobald who passed away on Saturday.

Hibs looked the more enterprising side in the opening stages and after nine minutes, Miguel Lopes De Pina was first to a Jonathan Pearson cross but his header was deflected by goalkeeper Anthony Curmi. From the rebound, the Portuguese striker's shot flashed wide.

Tarxien hit back and broke the stalemate on 22 minutes with an outstanding Denni goal.

He seized possession in midfield and sprinted through before placing the ball into the far corner past a stranded Muscat.

This goal was a bitter pill to swallow for the Paolites who looked disjointed and stunned. They had a chance to draw level 10 minutes from the break when Yan Cauchi sped clear on the left but his shot was tipped over by the alert Curmi.

At the other end, Tarxien almost struck again when the influential Denni picked Calabretta who was clean through but shot just wide with only Muscat to beat.

On 41 minutes, another swift raid from the Rainbows could have yielded a second goal when Mark Tanti found Denni who anticipated the onrushing Muscat but was unlucky to see his effort roll just wide of target.

Miller withdrew defender Aaron Xuereb during half-time and roped in striker Jean Paul Farrugia.

Hibs were soon on the offensive. Edward Herrera dashed into the box, turned past Curmi before serving De Pina who, however, was crowded out by the Rainbows defence.

Farrugia almost pulled Hibs level on 57 minutes but his shot, following a Lopes de Pina service, was pushed away by the agile Curmi.

However, Hibs' chances of getting back into the match suffered a setback on 59 minutes when Calabretta was pushed in the box by Adrian Pulis when about to shoot. The referee immediately pointed to the spot and dismissed the Hibs defender.

Denni stepped up for the kick but his effort was ably blocked by Muscat.

It took Tarxien some minutes to regain composure after Denni's miss but they were soon venturing forward again when Calabretta sped past his marker before squaring the ball into path of Denni whose shot finished wide.

A Herrera drive also flew just off range for Hibs. However, it was the Rainbows who had the final say when, from a swift raid on Muscat's goal, Tanti picked Denni who unleashed a powerful drive that deceived the Hibs keeper and flew into the net to the delight of the Rainbows fans.

Tarxien Rainbows: A. Curmi-7, S. Sadowski-6.5, M. Caruana-6.5, D. Camilleri-6, G. Calabretta-7 ('76 L. Vella Critien), E. Pereira-7, M. Tanti-7, Denni-8, R. Mintoff-6, R. Grech-6 ('85 L. Galea), J. Grioli-6.5.

Hibernians: M. Muscat-6.5, E. Herrera-6, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb-5 ('46 J.P. Farrugia-5), J. Pearson-5, T. Caruana-4.5, Y. Cauchi-5 ('84 M. Hammett), M. Tabone-5, E. Morelato-4 ('76 A. Cohen), B. Camilleri-5.5, M. Lopes Da Pina-5.5.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Tabone, Pulis, Cauchi, Grech.

Missed penalty: Denni (T) 60.

Red card: Pulis (H) 59.

BOV Player of the match: Denni (Tarxien Rainbows).