Floriana go five points clear after Old Firm derby victory

SLIEMA WANDERERS 0

FLORIANA 1

Varela 70

Floriana moved five points clear at the top of the YoHealth Malta Premier  Closing Round with a hard-fought win over Sliema in Old Firm derby.

Federico Varela arched the ball over the onrushing  Rashed Al Tumi to hand the Greens all three points.

For Sliema, who are in a desperate battle for a Top 6 berth, this was a simmering blow as they remain in seventh place on 13 points, but with only one match to go they have to rely on other results going their way to reach their goal.

It was Sliema who threatened first on 17 minutes when Fernandinho embarked on an impressive solo run down the right flank before unleashing a swerving effort that flashed just wide of goal.

Floriana replied shortly afterwards through Varela, who surged down the right before squaring the ball for Charles M’Mombwa. The midfielder struck a low drive, which goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi managed to gather safely at the second attempt.

Floriana came close to capitalising on a costly defensive lapse on 31 minutes when Steven Pisani played a dreadful back pass that fell kindly for Kenan Dervišagić.

However, as the Bosnian striker attempted to round Al Tumi, he went to ground under the goalkeeper’s challenge. Referee Ezekiel Barbara waved away appeals and instead awarded a foul to Sliema, ruling that the Floriana forward had simulated.

The Greens remained dangerous and, minutes later, Varela delivered a teasing cross from the right which found Dunstan Vella, but his header was directed straight into the arms of Al Tumi.

Sliema threatened again on the stroke of half-time when Thiago Espindola launched a long ball forward towards Uros Duranovic. The Montenegrin striker managed to break into the penalty area but was quickly closed down by Iago Mendonca.

Sliema were the first to threaten after the restart. Roko Prsa delivered a well-placed corner towards Gustavo Alcino, whose header seemed destined for goal, but goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti reacted superbly to tip the ball over the bar.

Floriana eventually broke the deadlock in the 70th minute through a moment of opportunism.

A long ball from almost the halfway line was directed towards the area where Federico Varelo anticipated Gustavo Alcino. With the upper part of his boot, he cleverly lobbed the ball over the advancing Al Tumi to give the Greens the lead.

In the closing stages, Sliema pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Floriana remained organised at the back and managed to hold onto their slender advantage.  

SLIEMA WANDERERS: R. Al Tumi, J. Borg, A. Magri Overend (57 Wescley), U. Duranovic, R. Prsa (75 M. Barros), G. Alcino, A. Seruca, S. Pisani, M. Awad, T. Espindola, Fernandinho (78 L. Montebello)

FLORIANA: G. Cioletti, M. Beerman, J. Grech, K. Dervisagic (83 R. Areias), N. Escudero, F. Varela, D. Vella, A. Kurtalic, A. Mabea (71 C. Zammit Lonardelli), C. M’Mombwa, I. Mendonca, P. Mbong (90 A. Abreu).

Referee: Ezekiel Barbara.

Yellow cards: Magri Overand, Fernandinho, Kurtalic, Vella.