K. Agu, N. Frendo (57 M. Pryadun), A. Magri Overend, V. Plut, M. Beerman, G. Alcino (85 N. Strickland), M. Freire, G. Acheampong (80 K. Nwoko), S. Zibo, S. Pisani (85 E. Agius), M. Awad.
FLORIANA
C. Mafoumbi, O. El Hasni (56 G. Yameogo), J. Grech (83 A. De Flavia), J. Becerra (72 Z. Scerri), O. Spiteri, M. Garcia, G. Gamarra, F. Sasere (83 E. Mashike), A. Kouros, A. Garzia, Fernandinho (72 G. Sotomayor).
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele.
Yellow cards: Becerra, El Hasni, Acheampong, Mashike.
Floriana will be participating in the UEFA Conference League this summer after beating Sliema Wanderers 4-0 in the play-off for third place.
Both sides were expected to be eager to bounce back after losing the respective semi-finals in the Final Four against Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara, respectively, but undoubtedly Floriana were the more determined side on the day, obtaining a well-deserved victory.
While the Greens are still engaged in the Meridianbet FA Trophy semi-finals, the season is over for Sliema Wanderers. However, by finishing fourth, the Wanderers could still make it to European football unless Hibernians win the FA Trophy.
Floriana had one change from the clash with Ħamrun as they welcomed back Matias Garcia with Dunstan Vella starting on the bench. Sliema, on the other hand, had Geoffrey Acheampong replacing Wescley.
The Greens held the initiative for most of the first half, creating the better chances. In fact, after Geoffrey Acheampong had a cross shot from the left for Sliema, ending high early in the game, Floriana went close on 17 minutes when Fernandinho served Jake Grech inside the area, but his close-range effort just missed the target.
On 29 minutes, Gonzalo Gamarra, served on the left, rounded a defender, before hitting just wide while on the half hour, Fernandinho missed the target with a long-distance effort. Floriana maintained the pressure and a powerful drive by Matias Garcia was parried by Kelvin Emeka Agu two minutes later.
However, on 35 minutes, Floriana took the lead. Aleandro Garzia delivered a cross from the right, goalkeeper Agu tried to punch the ball away, following an erratic clearance by Adam Magri Overend, but Jork Becerra’s acrobatic shot placed the ball at the back of the net.
Three minutes from the end of the first half, Vito Plut headed wide off a Steve Pisani freekick from the right.
Seven minutes in the second half, Floriana doubled the score. Fernandinho concluded another fine move with a shot from the edge of the area which beat the Sliema custodian, ending in the bottom right corner.
Two minutes later, Aleandro Garzia concluded a good run on the right with a cross which was parried by goalkeeper Agu. Sliema replied with a Steve Pisani freekick which was deflected into a corner on 57 minutes.
The Greens extended the lead further on 66 minutes. Franklin Sasere received the ball in midfield and advanced on the right and into the area, lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Agu.
Sliema replied with a diagonal shot by Maksim Pryadun from the right ending just wide on 75 minutes.
However on 90 minutes, Floriana scored the fourth goal. Gabriel Sotomayor had a shot from inside the area blocked by Agu but Elvis Mashike placed the ball at the back of the net off the rebound.
