Goalkeeper Kitanov rescues Floriana in Mosta draw

FLORIANA 1

Busuttil 28

MOSTA 1

Okoh 50

FLORIANA

G. Kitanov-7, A. Magri Overand-6, C. Rutjens, O. El Hasni-5.5, Z. Cassar-6, K. Reid-6.5 (88 C. Zammit Lonardelli), A. Ciolacu-6 (65 K. Nwoko), J. Arias-6 (65 M. Garcia), L. De Grazia-6 (88 E. Hershkovich), J. Busuttil-7, A. Garzia-6 (76 L. Trillo).

MOSTA

I. Akpan-6, R. Briffa-6 (72 N. Agius), C. Ememe-5 (77 I. Mbata), D. Bonniċi-5.5 (62 J. Nsumoh), C. Failla-6, B. Diarra-6, T. Farrugia-6, M. Okoh-6 (72 L. Tenebe), G. Acheampong-6.5 (77 S. Kingue), J. Vassallo-7, R. Ekani-6.

Referee: Alex Johnson.

Yellow cards: Ekani, Cassar, Ciolacu, Failla, Rutjens.

Red card: Christian Rutjens (Floriana) 80.

BOV Player of the Match: Jan Busuttil (Floriana).

Missed penalty: Clayton Failla (Mosta) 80.

Floriana goalkeeper Georgi Kitanov spared the Greens’ blushes as he blocked Clayton Failla’s penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw against Mosta.

Mario Muscat’s side trailed to Jan Busuttil’s eye-catching early goal and were out-played for long periods in the first half at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

After the break, Mosta took the pitch with the frame of mind to equalise through Michael Okoh and went close to take the three points at the end.

Floriana picked up the pace after a cautious start to the game. Jose Arias’s vision and quick-thinking is a pivotal part of Floriana’s attacking play.

The Argentine midifielder picked Adam Magri Overand, who used his pace to create space down the right-hand side. The hesitant defender saw his shot blocked by keeper Ini Akpan when had acres of space and plenty of time to pick his spot.

Akpan was finally beaten with a thumping strike by Busuttil who showed sublime control and skill in the box.

Busuttil was superb throughout, again pierced Mosta’s defence with a throughball, Kemar Reid darted into the box but the Jamaican striker dragged his effort wide after a neat build-up.

Mosta burst out of the blocks after the interval and their pressure was rewarded when Geoffrey Acheampong was given space in the box to despatch his shot on goal. The Ghanaian’s attempt forced Kitanov into a reflex save but the ball rebounded to Michael Okoh hit it into the empty net.

Floriana replied as Busuttil controlled a pass and lashed his left-foot shot across the face of goal with the ball crashing back off the post with Akpan well beaten.

But ten minutes from time, Floriana’s defensive frailities were exposed again when they suffered a double jeopardy as Christian Rutjens conceded a penalty for clipping substitute Linus Tenebe in the area. Rutjens was shown his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

From the spot, Clayton Failla saw his angled shot saved by Kitanov.