Sliema Wanderers FC and Hibernians FC had to settle for a 1–1 draw in the opening match of the YoHealth Malta Premier Closing Round Bottom 6, with both sides sharing the exchanges in a balanced encounter.

Hibernians took the lead on 18 minutes when Denys Norenkov’s initial effort was blocked, allowing Kevin Halabaku to react quickly and slot the ball past goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi.

Sliema responded well and went close on several occasions, with Murilo Freire heading just wide from an Edmond Agius corner and Roko Prša seeing his effort turned into a corner by goalkeeper Laurentiu Branescu.

The Wanderers drew level five minutes before the break. Following a corner, Freire headed the ball into the path of Uroš Djuranović, who finished from close range to make it 1–1.

After the restart, both sides continued to push for a winner. Edmond Agius tested Branescu with a long-range effort early in the second half, while Mohamed Awad later missed a good chance from the edge of the area.

Sliema thought they had taken the lead on 70 minutes when substitute Thiaguinho found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

At the other end, Mailson Lima forced a save from Al Tumi with a cross-shot, while Prša came close late on but saw his attempts blocked by defenders.

Both teams had chances in the closing stages, with Djuranović and Bjorn Kristensen testing the goalkeepers, while Freire’s late header was saved by Branescu in stoppage time.

Despite their efforts, neither side could find a winner, and the match ended all square as both teams continue their fight to secure their Premier League status.

Sliema Wanderers: R. Al Tumi, J. Borg, N. Micallef (T. Espindola 69), U. Djuranovic, R. Prša (N. Frendo 89), G. Alcino, E. Agius, Wescley, M. Freire, M. Awad, F. Gomes

Hibernians: L. Branescu, C. Attard (M. Debattista 73), S. Hamanjoda, K. Shaw, Miullen (S. Akinbule 89), B. Kristensen, K. Halabaku, Cleiton (M. Lima 61), D. Norenkov, Pedrão, Charleston

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele