Watch: Floriana crash out of Conference League after 1-1 draw against FC Ballkani

FLORIANA    1

Vella 39

FC BALLKANI    1

Adentuyi 45

(FC Ballkani win 5-3 on aggregate)

FLORIANA

G. Cioletti, O. Spiteri, I. Mendonca, L. Lopez, G. Gamarra, C. M’Mombwa, D. Vella (67 Z. Xerri), J. Grech, M. Veselji (61 Areijas), M. Jah, G. Varela.

FC BALLKANI

A. Golubovic, A. Potoku, B. Jashanica (70 G. Halili), I. Batarela, G. Smajli, Giovanni, Albert, A. Deliu, A. Kryeziu, S. Adentuyi, B. Tolaj (58 W. Hamidi).

Yellow cards Vella, Giovanni, Deliu, M’Mombwa, Xerri.

Floriana’s run in this season’s UEFA Conference League came to a close last night after they could only manage a 1-1 draw against FC Ballkani, of Kosovo, at the Centenary Stadium.

It was a frustrating result for the Greens who held the edge for much of the first half and looked on their way to turn the tie around when Dunstan Vella fired them ahead midway through the first half.

But any hopes of a comeback were ended by the prolific FC Ballkani forward Sunday Adentuyi who hammered home the equaliser just before half-time.

Floriana tried to hit back after the break but lacked the intensity to trouble FC Ballkani who advance to the next round 5-3 on aggregate.

Floriana bossed the proceedings right from the outset, and after 13 minutes, they came close when, from a Jake Grech corner kick, Varela’s header was blocked by a defender before FC Ballkani cleared.

Two minutes later, Grech tried his luck from a distance, but his effort was deflected just over.

On 23 minutes, Mustapha Jah should have put Floriana ahead when he pounced on a poor back pass by a Ballkani player, stormed inside the area, but his shot was pushed away

FC Ballkani threatened on 34 minutes when Almir Kryizeu ran in space but his shot was deflected to a corner.

However, it was Floriana who took the lead on 39 minutes when Charles M’Mwomba found Lopez, who flicked the ball into the path of Dunstan Vella, and the midfielder kept his cool to fire into the roof of the net.

However, on the stroke of half-time, FC Ballkani levelled matters when Floriana lost possession cheaply and Adentuyi hit a thumping drive that gave no chance to Cioletti.

Floriana remained dangerous from their set-pieces and in the fifth minute of the second half, Lopez’s header from a Grech header was cleared by a defender.

Floriana finally threatened on the hour mark, when Varela hit a thumping drive that was well saved by Golubic.

Floriana lost much of their intensity in the second half as FC Ballkani were controlling the match easily and threatening with quick forays but they failed to create danger to Cioletti in the Floriana goal.

Four minutes from time, Grech looped a fine cross towards Rui Areias but the Portuguese forward was denied by Golubovic.