HIBERNIANS-1, BIRKIRKARA-3
Birkirkara have been crowned Malta champions after coming from a goal down to beat Hibernians 3-1 in today's title decider at the National Stadium.
Having been pegged back by Hibs in the title run-in, Birkirkara struggled to find their rhythm in a first half shaded by Hibs who deservedly took a 32nd minute lead but the second half was a different story.
Bolstered by some tactical switches, Birkirkara stormed into their opponents to level the scores after just 11 minutes. Two more followed in quick succession as the fired-up Stripes rattled the fading Hibs who wilted under the pressure.
Leading 3-1 with only 17 minutes left, Birkirkara easily administered their advantage to secure their fourth Premier League title.
Their fans let out a roar of delight as referee Alan Mario Sant blew the final whistle with scores of them invading the pitch to celebrate with the players. Shame that some Birkirkara fans went to goad the Hibs supporters but no major incidents were reported.
Thousands of fans headed to the National Stadium to watch the decider. They created a vibrant atmosphere, turning their sections of the enclosure and parts of the North and South Stands into a sea of colour.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Simon Busuttil, the newly-elected leader of the Nationalist Party, led the host of distinguished guests who attended the game.
The two coaches, Birkirkara's Paul Zammit and Michael Woods, of Hibs, had a surprise up their sleeve. Brazilian winger Marcelo Dias was expected to miss the game due to a hamstring problem but he was declared fit to start. Jackson Lima was preferred to Zoran Levnaic.
Zammit chose Zach Muscat to replace the suspended Joseph Zerafa while Brazilian forward Jhonnattann was preferred to Shola Shodiya Haruna.
Inside the opening five minutes, Lima cut inside from the right before freeing Disas who passed to Farrugia but the latter muiscued his shot.
Lima's intelligent movement was causing Birkirkara problems.
Hibs would have opened the scoring on 18 minutes but for a great save by Justin Haber who pushed away Andrew Cohen's close-range header from Failla's corner.
The Paolites remained the brighter side, taking control of midfield while Dias was a dynamic figure on the right wing.
Midway into the first half, Haber blocked a header by Rodolfo Soares from another Failla corner. Just past the half-hour, the game threw up its first controversial episode as referee Alan Mario Sant gave Hibs a penalty after Failla's diagonal effort struck Gareth Sciberras's arm following good work by Dias and Edison.
Failla drilled his penalty past the diving Haber to send the Hibs fans into raptures.
Birkirkara only had 10 men on the pitch when Hibs's counter-attack yielded the penalty as Jhonnattann was carried away on a stretcher before being replaced by Haruna.
A goal down, the Stripes showed signs of making a reaction. Alejandro Mendoza's header, from Paul Fenech's free-kick, was saved by Muscat before Jonathan Pearson blocked a dangerous Haruna effort.
Birkirkara then protested for a penalty when Haruna went down inside the box but their pleas were turned away by Sant.
Three minutes from half-time, Birkirkara striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza headed just wide.
Birkirkara began the second half in brisk mode. Their improvement was rewarded after just 11 minutes when Mifsud Triganza drove towards byline on the left before passing to the unmarked Edward Herrera who poked home.
It was now Birkirkara's turn to pile the pressure. Haruna pounced on a mistake by Camilleri to run into the box but his tame shot was easily blocked by Muscat.
The force was with Birkirkara who took the lead midway into the second half. They were awarded a free-kick for a foul on the improving Rowen Muscat and Pereira's cross was missed by the on-rushing Muscat and Nikola Vukanac sent a looping header into the net.
More was to come from Birkirkara who increased their lead 17 minutes from time thanks to Zach Muscat who poked the ball home after Rowen Muscat had put the ball into the box.
Hibernians
M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, J. Pearson, R. Soares-6 (74 O. Obiefule), M. Dias-7 (85 A. Kardeck), A. Cohen, B. Kristensen, Jackson Lima, C. Failla, Luis Edison, J.P. Farrugia-5 (74 A. Pulis).
Birkirkara
J. Haber, Z. Muscat, N. Vukanac, A. Mendoza, R. Pereira, P. Fenech, G. Sciberras, R. Muscat-7 (84 R. Scicluna), E. Herrera, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6 (78 R. Camenzuli), Jhonnattann-5 (34 S. Haruna).
Referee Alan Mario Sant.
Yellow cards Haber; Herrera; Edison; Kristensen.
BOV player of the match Rodrigo Pereira (Birkirkara).
Attendance 9,252.