Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/791658
50 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2017 FOOTBALL Hibs and Hamrun share the spoils in an entertaining draw Hibernians ................... 3 Hamrun Spartans ......... 3 WARREN ZAMMIT IN a lively and entertaining clash at the National Stadium, Ħamrun Spartans and Hibernians shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw. Hibernians were unlucky not to go ahead after two minutes. Gil- mar Da Silva Ribeiro served Jurgen Degabriele and the latter hit a pow- erful drive which was deflected to- wards the post and out for a corner by Ħamrun's debutant goalkeeper Batusila Kambala. However, Degabriele broke dead- lock for the Paolites three minutes later. The Hibs striker received the ball inside the penalty area and fired a low shot inside the net. Ħamrun replied by scoring the equaliser on the 8th minute. Clay- ton Failla brought down Saturday Nanapere inside the penalty area and the referee pointed towards the spot. From the penalty spot, Brandon Paiber finished past An- drew Hogg. The Spartans nearly went ahead on the 16th minute. Massimiliano Giusti delivered the ball towards Leandro Motta Dos Santos whose curling shot hit the post with Hogg completely beaten. Motta Dos Santos sent Ħamrun ahead for the first time on the 20th minute. Karl Micallef sent a cross towards the Brazilian who headed home. Incredibly, Hibs equalised two minutes later. From a free kick, Gilmar Ribeiro Da Silva hit a stun- ning shot that gave Kambala no chance. Mark Miller's side had a good chance on the 42nd minute. Fol- lowing a corner, Kambala punched the ball towards Dejan Boljevic, but the Hibs player finished off target. In the additional time given by the referee prior to half time, Jo- hann Bezzina hit a shot from a dis- tance which Kambala managed to neutralise. Ħamrun tried to put some pres- sure at the beginning of the second half and had a promising chance on the 49th minute. Paiber sent a shot from a distance which Hogg managed to neutralise. However, the Paolites scored their third goal on the 54th minute. Fol- lowing a free kick, Jackson De Lima Siqueira passed the ball towards Degabriele whose initial effort was saved by Kambala, but managed to score from the rebound. Jacque Scerri's side equalised on the 69th minute. Massimiliano Gi- usti received the ball and ran inside the penalty area before going past Hogg and finishing inside the net. Hibs hit back and were denied once more by the post on the 73rd minute. Gilmar went past two de- fenders and fired a low shot that hit the post. On the 83rd minute, Jorge Da Silva Pereira of Hibs had a prom- ising attempt on goal. Following a lot of challenges inside the pen- alty area, the Brazilian fired high. However, Jorginho should have scored a minute later. Montell Moore sent a cross towards his team mate who in front of Kam- bala headed wide. Following this result, Balzan are back at the top of the table, while Hibs are second as the fight for glory between these two clubs continues. Hibernians starting line-up: Andrew Hogg, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Jackson De Lima Siqueira, Bjorn Kristensen, Clay- ton Failla, Johann Bezzina, Jorge Da Silva Perreira, Dejan Boljevic, Jurgen Degabriele, GIlmar Ribeiro Da Silva Ħamrun Spartans starting line- up: Batusila Kambala, Karl Mi- callef, Luke Grech, Sergio Raphael Dos Anjos, Philip Chircop, Mas- similiano Giusti, Saturday Nana- pere, Igor Nisan, Brandon Paiber, Manolito Micallef, Leandro Mot- ta Dos Santos. Referee: Kridens Meth (Albania) Assistant Referees: Emigers Gamci, Nertil Bregasi Fourth Official: Buxhin Shaja BOV Player of the Match: Jurgen Degabriele (Hibs) PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG In a lively and entertaining clash at the National Stadium, Hamrun Spartans draw 3-3 with Hibernians Saturday Nanapere of Hamrun in action