FLORIANA 1
Emerson Souza 42
SLIEMA 0
FLORIANA
C. Mafoumbi, O. El Hasni Oualid, J. Grech (89 K. Nwoko), Thiaguinho, D. Vella, O. Spiteri, M. Garcia, C.Zammit Lonardelli, F. Sasere, A. Kouro (65 M. Veselji), Emerson Souza (65 Fernandinho).
SLIEMA WANDERERS
E. Agu, J. Borg, N. Frendo (80 N. Strickland), A. Magri Overend, M. Beerman, G. Alcino, G. Acheampong, S Zibo (60 Wescley), S. Pisani, M. Awad, J. Bastos (60 V. Plut).
Referee: Slobodan Petrovic.
Yellow cards: Sasere, Borg, Acheampong, Fernandinho.
Red card: Fernandinho (F) 90.
A first-half goal by Emerson Santos handed bragging rights to Floriana as the Greens edged Old Firm rivals Sliema 1-0 at the National Stadium.
The match was devoid of scoring opportunities but sprang to life just before the interval with the Greens taking all points to lift themselves to the summit of the Premier League alongside Birkirkara before their direct encounter next weekend.
For most of the past decades the Old Firm clash lost much of its allure but Sliema’s recent rise to prominence and Floriana’s consistency have rekindled this rivalry that lit up the Maltese football in the sixties and seventies.
Incidentally, both Floriana and Sliema played and lost against the same opponent. Floriana suffered their first defeat of the season against Ħamrun in the Premier League whereas Sliema were beaten by the Spartans in the Super Cup.
Floriana coach Darren Abdilla made three changes with Thiaguinho, Owen Spiteri and Matias Garcia replacing Fernandinho, Yaméogo and Mattia Veselji.
At the other end, the inclusion of Neil Frendo instead of Henrique Murilo represented the only change in Sliema’s starting formation.
Floriana set up in a fluid 4-4-2-cum-4-3-3 formation shaded the early exchanges but it was the Blues who created the first glimmer of a chance. Adam Magri Overend advanced unimpeded on the right, his dipping effort flew across the face of goal. The ball reached Myles Beerman but the former Floriana player hit a rising shot well over the bar.
Paul Zammit favoured a 3-5-2 formation with Magri Overend and Beerman detailed to push up high on the flanks.
At the other end, Thiaguinho managed to serve Carlo Zammit Lonardelli inside the area, the latter tried his luck with an acrobatic volley that finished wide.
After a cagey first half, the breakthrough came on 42 minutes.
Matias Garcia allowed the ball to roll through to Emerson de Souza who guided an accurate shot into the bottom corner.
On 57 minutes, Simon Zibo served Mohammed Awad who raced into the box from the right but his strike arched wide off the far post.
Floriana remained dangerous on the counter and Franklin Sasere went close with a powerful pile driver that sailed just wide.
Tempers frayed when Acheampong barged into Fernandinho, who had just come on for Emerson. After a bout of pushing and shoving, referee Slobodan Petrovic cautioned Acheampong.
Ten minutes from time, Zammit threw caution to the wind, withdrawing Neil Frendo, a defender, and bringing on striker Nicholas Strickland switching to a 4-3-3 formation.
Floriana survived an almighty scare at the death when Christopher Mafoumbi fisted away a menacing shot by Acheampong into the path of Beerman, who could not hit the ball goalwards.
Seconds later, Fernandinho earned two quick yellow cards to leave Floriana with ten men.
Yet, there was no time for Sliema to profit from their numerical advantage.
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