Live: Floriana to face Ħamrun Spartans in play-offs; Sliema take on Birkirkara

The inaugural season of the 360 Sports Malta Premier League will be decided through a Final Four play-off, after Floriana missed the chance to clinch the title in their final match of the regular season.

The Greens needed a win against Birkirkara to be crowned champions but were held to a 1-1 draw at the National Stadium, a result that, combined with victories for Ħamrun Spartans and Sliema Wanderers, paved the way for a thrilling post-season showdown.

Floriana, who topped the Opening Round Top 6 and finished third in the Closing Round Top 6, will now meet Ħamrun Spartans in one semi-final. The Spartans placed fifth in the Opening Round but climbed to second place in the Closing Round after a narrow win over Marsaxlokk.

The other semi-final sees Sliema Wanderers, who won the Closing Round after finishing third in the Opening phase, face Birkirkara.

The Stripes had placed second in the Opening Round but faltered in the Closing Round, ending up fifth.

Birkirkara struck early against Floriana, taking the lead inside the opening three minutes through league top scorer Maxuell.

Stephen Makoma hit a thumping drive that was fisted away by Christofer Mafoumbi, but Maia was on hand to convert from close range and stun the Greens.

With the title within reach, Floriana were forced to chase the game.

The Greens equalised just before half-time when Dunstan Vella latched onto a Jake Grech cross and slotted past Giacomo Volpe to revive his team’s hopes.

The second half saw Floriana dominate possession and create several chances, but Birkirkara held firm defensively.

The Stripes’ resilience denied Floriana a record-extending 27th league title and sent the championship to the play-offs.

Meanwhile, Ħamrun secured their play-off spot with a gritty 1-0 win over Marsaxlokk at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

Raphael Lopes scored Silva scored the decisive goal midway through the first half, and despite Marsaxlokk’s spirited push late in the game, the Spartans held on.

The result ensured coach Winston Muscat advanced to the post-season at the expense of his former club.

Sliema Wanderers capped off their campaign with a dominant 4-1 victory over Mosta.

Goals from Neil Frendo, Wescley, Kyrian Nwoko, and Samba Kone sealed the Blues’ top spot in the Closing Round standings and confirmed their Final Four berth.

Jamie Scerri netted Mosta’s consolation goal, the only one they managed during the entire Closing Round.

As the dust settles on a dramatic regular season, attention now shifts to the highly anticipated play-offs.

With four strong contenders in the mix, the battle for the first-ever 360 Sports Malta Premier League crown promises to deliver a memorable conclusion.

LIVE BLOG

8.37pm That’s all from us today, thanks for staying with us and keep following our coverage on our website www.sport.timesofmalta.com

8.31pm With Ħamrun Spartans defeating Marsaxlokk 1-0 and Sliema Wanderers brush aside Mosta it means that these two teams are through to the play-off finals which will be played between Sunday and Monday.

Floriana will now face champions Ħamrun Spartans for a place in the final while Birkirkara will take on Sliema Wanderers in what will be an historic outcome to the Premier League championship.

8.29pm It’s all over at the National Stadium as Birkirkara hold Floriana to a 1-1 draw which means that this year’s championship will be decided by play-offs.

8.26pm Floriana have a great chance but Fernandinho is blocked inside the small box and the ball drifts out for a goal kick as Birkirkara survive.

8.23pm SEVEN MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME FOR FLORIANA TO FIND A WINNER.

8.19pm GOAL MOSTA!! Mosta pull a goal back against Sliema when Jamie Scerri hit a rasping drive that flew into the net.

8.18pm Jake Grech is hauled off by Abdilla and Gabriel Sotomayor is roped in as Floriana are going for a winner.

8.11pm The Floriana clan are growing increasingly frustrated with Dunstan Vella booked for dissent. Birkirkara replace the tiring Kemar Reid with Gnamien Yikpe while Elvis Mashike replaced Alexander Kouro.

8.03 pm Darren Abdilla effects his first change for Floriana when he withdraws Garcia and ropes in Erick Becerra. Alessandro Coppola is the latest player to be booked for a foul on Aleandro Garzia.

8pm GOAL!!! SLIEMA INCREASE THEIR LEAD. Sliema Wanderers continue to increase their advantage and this time it’s Samba Kone who makes it 4-0.

7.58pm Matias Garcia becomes Floriana’s first player to go into the referee’s book as he is cautioned for a foul on Morello.

7.54pm Gianluca Volpe comes to Birkirkara rescue when he pushes away Gamarra’s shot. Seconds later, Aleandro Garzia incredibly flicked the ball out after another quick transition to the disappointment of the Floriana fans.

7.52pm GOAL!!!! Sliema Wanderers all but wrap up their win when they score a third goal through Kyrian Nwoko.

7.48pm Birkirkara finally threaten through Maxuell Maia who sprints through the Floriana area and his firm drive is pushed away by Mafoumbi.

7.43pm Alex Satariano becomes the second player to go into the referee’s book after he received a yellow card for a foul on Sasere.

7.35pm Welcome back for the second half as Birkirkara effect one change with Luis Cordova replaces Sandona.

7.25pm We’re taking a short break and we will be back for the second half.

7.20pm Referee Philip Farrugia blows the half-time whistle with both teams going into the break level at 1-1. It’s half-time in the other two matches as Ħamrun are leading 1-0 against Marsaxlokk while Sliema are two goals ahead against Mosta.

At the moment, its Ħamrun Spartans and Sliema who are leading the way on 28 points, one ahead of Floriana which would mean that the championship would be decided by the play-offs.

But there is still another 45 minutes to play and Floriana are looking stronger and stronger and they will fancy their chances to grab a second goal which would hand them the league title.

7.13pm GOAL!!! FLORIANA EQUALISE… Jake Grech profits from a Sandona indecision to tee up Dunstan Vella who fired home.

7.07pm GOAL!!! SLIEMA SCORE Sliema Wanderers double their advantage against Mosta as Wescley does well to burst inside the area and blast home the second goal.

7.05pm GOAL!!! Ħamrun take the lead through Raphael Lopes Silva. The Brazilian striker is played in by Joseph Mbong and with Matthew Calleja Cremona only to beat he keeps his cool to fire home.

7.00pm GOAL!!! SLIEMA TAKE THE LEAD…. Sliema Wanderers go ahead against Mosta as Neil Frendo manages to fire his side ahead for a precious 1-0 lead.

6.53pm It’s end-to-end stuff as on 22 minutes Kemar Reid charges forward and almost grabs a second but his effort is somehow kept out by Mafoumbi. Seconds later, Satariano hits a low drive that just skims the upright.

6.50pm FLORIANA CLOSE….From a free-kick action Oualid El Hasni almost surprises Volpe with his dipping header but the Italian goalkeeper punches the ball out of play.

6.46pm Fernandinho comes close from Floriana as the Brazilian curls in a fine strike from a free-kick but Birkirkara goalkeeper Gianluca Volpe pushed the ball away.

6.45pm Neil Micallef, of Birkirkara, becomes the first player to be booked by referee Philip Micallef after he committed foul on Franklin Sasere when in transition.

6.43pm Floriana are trying to recover from that early setback but Birkirkara look the more composed side… but these are still early days.

6.40pm GOAALLLL!!! BIRKIRKARA …. Stephen Makoma hits a thumping drive that Christoffer Mafoumbi only deflects into the path of MAXUELL MAIA who makes no mistake from a few metres out… wow what a start.

6.35pm Birkirkara have started brightly and they managed to win their first corner of the match.

6.32pm Referee Philip Micallef blows the whistle and we’re off.

6.30pm Both teams are on the pitch as kick-off is just minutes away.

6.20pm On his part, Mario Muscat and Joe Grech, who are in charge of Mosta FC, have made a raft of changes for their final match of the season.

6.15pm Sliema Wanderers are up against Mosta and coach Paul Zammit has opted to hand in a start to Malta striker Kyrian Nwoko and Maksim Priyadum in the absence of Vito Plut and Mohammed Awad that were rested.

6.10pm On their part, Ħamrun Spartans made three changes as Steve Borg is back from suspension and replaces the injured Emerson Marcelina. Jovan Cadenovic is drafted back in midfield at the expense of the injured Kairou while Albanian attacking midfielder Mihana starts after recovering from injury.

6.05pm Marsaxlokk, who are sharing top spot with Floriana, will be up against Ħamrun Spartans at the Tony Bezzina Stadium. Coach Enzo Potenza made two changes as striker Alex De Aguiar is suspended while Juan Corbalan is among the substitutes.

5.58pm On his part, Darren Abdilla, the Floriana coach, has kept faith with the same players that beat Mosta 3-0 last weekend and unsurprisingly named the same starting formation.

5.50pm Birkirkara coach Stefano De Angelis made three changes to his starting formation as Paul Mbong, Neil Micallef and Agustin Sandona are recalled at the expense of Tomislav Papazov, Shaun Dimech and Luis Cordova.

5.45pm On their part, Birkirkara seem determined to prolong this year’s title race by forcing the play-offs and coach Stefano De Angelis is urging his players to bring all the necessary energy to secure a positive result against Floriana.

5.40pm Darren Abdilla, the Floriana coach spoke to the Times of Malta on the eve of the match and made it clear that his team will approach the match with the same mantra… trying to take all three points and even if they don’t win today’s match they can still win the title in the play-offs. You can watch his interview in the video below.

5.35pm During the past hours, there has been a lot of talk on the possible permutations of what can happen in today’s programme of matches.

But Floriana have the simplest formula as victory over Birkirkara will automatically crown them as Malta champions.

This is because Darren Abdilla’s team have already topped the Opening Round and also finishing first in the Closing Round will avoid the need of play-offs and hand the title crown to Floriana for a record 27th time.

5.30pm Welcome to our live blog for what promises to be a very exciting night from the 360 Sports Malta Premier as this season’s title race is heading to an exciting finale with Floriana on pole to win the title while their rivals today, Birkirkara determined to pick at least a point from the match to send the championship race into the Final Four play-offs.