Watch: Areias’ opportunistic strikes lifts Floriana to the top

TARXIEN RAINBOWS          0

FLORIANA    1

Areias 36

TARXIEN RAINBOWS

A. Cassar, S. Filipe, Tiago, A. De Barros (86 G. Vella), J. Bastos (75 J. Castano), C. Henrique, Erico Jr (73 K. Donsu), Nhaysonn, M. Zango, A. Vella (86 M. D’Alessandro), M. Grima.

FLORIANA

G. Cioletti, L. Lopez, J. Grech, F. Varela, D. Vella (71 Z. Scerri), F. Teixeira, C. M’Mombwa, G. Gamarra, I. Mendonca, A. Garzia (7 M. Veselji), R. Areias (61 M. Jah).

Referees: Daniel Portelli.

Yellow cards M’Mombwa, Nhaysson, Mendonca, Jah, Donsu, Veselji, Castano.

Floriana preserved their 100 per cent record when they battled past Tarxien Rainbows at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

An opportunistic goal by Rui Areias secured three vital points for the Greens who moved at the top of the standings with six points.

Floriana quickly imposed their game in the first half and Areias’ strike was good value for their superiority.

But after the break, Tarxien stepped up their game but lacked the killing instinct to make the most of the chances created as they suffered their first defeat of the season.

Floriana coach Daniel Portela’s tactical plan suffered a blow after six minutes as wingback Alejandro Garzia picked up an injury and was replaced by Mattija Veselji.

It was Veselji who created the first scoring opportunity on 21 minutes when the young forward was fed inside the area by Jake Grech, and his shot was cleared off the line by Zango.

Floriana finally threatened on 31 minutes when Jake Grech found Federico Varela, but his downward header was saved by goalkeeper Andrea Cassar.

But the Greens were not denied five minutes later. Dunstan Vella found Teixeira in space, and the wingers sped towards the Rainbows’ box before sending a low cross, and Rui Areias anticipated his marker to flick the ball past Cassar.

Just before the half-time whistle, Floriana came close again when from a Grech corner-kick, Lopez’s thumping header finished over.

Tarxien needed to step up their game in the second half if they are to pull themselves back into the match, as in the first 45 minutes, they looked short of ideas upfront.

The Rainbows started strongly. On 48 minutes, Nhaysson’s cross was not cleared by the Floriana defence, and in came Alexandre De Barros, who saw his close-range header somehow kept out by Guilherme Cioletti.

Just past the hour mark, the Floriana goalkeeper had to be alert to push away Claudio Henrique’s delivery from a free-kick.

On 64 minutes, Floriana finally threatened when Teixeira’s shot was too central to trouble Cassar in the Tarxien goal.

Ten minutes from time, Muhammad Jah, who replaced Areias, sped clear and fed Varela, who immediately crossed the ball towards the towering striker and his header was brilliantly kept out by Cassar.

Floriana ended the match with ten men when Zach Scerri was shown a straight red card for a violent challenge on Zango.