Marsaxlokk 1 Floriana 2
Floriana are the champions of Maltese football after they overcame Marsaxlokk 2-1 in a dramatic encounter at the National Stadium.
A controversial goal from Kenan Dervisagic in stoppage time handed the win to the Greens who managed to come from behind and see off Marsaxlokk.
But the match will surely provide room for discussion in the coming days due to how Floriana’s winner came about.
Marsaxlokk protested heavily as they felt that Dervisagic’s goal should not have stood as the Floriana forward did not make contact with the ball from Leonardo Zammit Lonardelli’s cross.
But referee Matthew Degabriele ruled otherwise and there were jubilant scenes of celebration by the Floriana clan at full time as they celebrated in style their league title.
AS IT HAPPENED
18.05 That’s it… the referee blows for full-time and Floriana are the new Malta champions.
18.03 Last chance for Marsaxlokk as Weder’s shot rolls across goal and Joseph Minala fails to turn home.
17.58 It’s a decision that will be discussed for several days on whether the Floriana striker made contact with the ball or not but the Greens won’t care. They are on the verge of winning the title.
17.56 The goal is awarded and Floriana is seconds away from the title.
17.53 GOAL Floriana but it is being checked… drama. Referees are checking whether Dervisagic touched the ball from the throw-in.
17.52 Five minutes of stoppage time are given. Niki Muscat’s shot from the edge of the area finishes into the hands of Cioletti.
17.50 We looked set to be heading to extra-time as we are into stoppage time. Could we have another twist?
17.47 Corner for Floriana, but nothing comes out of it.
17.42 Enrico Pepe goes into the referee’s book after a strong challenge on Mustapha Jah. Floriana ask for a Football Video Support review but waves away their protests and stands by his decision.
17.37 Floriana withdraw Paul Mbong and rope in Kenan Dervisagic as the Greens are going for the kill.
17.35 Marsaxlokk finally creates a chance when Mihana served Linden who fired over.
17.32 With 71 minutes on the clock referee Matthew Degabriele orders a second cooling break.
17.28 Potenza withdraws Ulisses Arias and brings on Redon Mihana in a bid to inject life into his team’s attack.
17.26 Floriana come close again when from a Jake Grech corner-kick, Mendonca nods the ball into the path of Mustapha Jah who heads the ball over.
17.24 CLOSE… Alen Kurtalic’s diving header forces a fine save from Maffoumbi as Floriana are now dominating.
17.20 Coach Daniel Portela has switched his team to high press and that has made life difficult for Marsaxlokk to push forward as they are pegged into their own half.
17.17 GOAL FLORIANA… Federico Varela latches onto Mustapha Jah’s pass and hits a firm shot past Maffoumbi.
17.16 And here are the changes… Dunstan Vella and Rui Areias make way for Jake Grech and Mustapha Jah for Floriana.
17.12 So far, neither coach has opted for a substitution… but if things stay the same, we will surely see some changes from Floriana with Jake Grech waiting in the wings.
17.08 This is not the first time that Floriana found themselves behind against Marsaxlokk. In their last meeting, the Southseasiders took a first-half lead but the Greens fought back to win the match 3-1.
17.05 We’re back under way… can Floriana fight back?
16.55 We are taking a short break and will be back in ten minutes for the second half… stay with us.
16.51 Half-time… Floriana coach Daniel Portela will have a big team-talk for his players to try and turn round the match.
16.49 CLOSE… Floriana almost equalises on the stroke of half-time when Maffoumbi produces a find save to deny Rui Areias.
16.46 Floriana look stunned after Marsaxlokk’s opener and they have increased their workrate in the past few minutes but so far the Southerners are controlling well proceedings.
16.42 Leandro Aguirre is shown the first yellow card of the match for a foul on Charles M’Mombwa.
16.37 GOAL MARSAXLOKK… RASMUS LINDEN STRIKES
The Danish forward latches onto Ulisess Arias’ pass and lobs the ball over the onrushing Cioletti.
16.33 Floriana win their first corner of the match, taken by Paul Mbong… but nothing comes off it as Enrico Pepe is fouled and the referee awards a foul to Marsaxlokk.
16.30 The match is stopped for a cooling break… and hopefully both coaches will give some advice to both sets of players to start creating more opportunities and break the stalemate.
16.27 There is not much entertainment for the sizeable crowd at the National Stadium. Hopefully nerves will start to settle and we can experience some exciting moments as so far the match has been a dull affair.
16.23 Federico Varela is finally starting to involve himself more in his team’s play and immediately, Floriana threaten through the flanks, but Marsaxlokk easily clear the danger.
16.20 Floriana have been deployed in a 4-4-2 formation with Federico Varela operating just behind towering Portuguese forward Rui Areias.
16.18 Dodo Soares hits the first shot on goal of the match, but his effort from 25 metres out drifts wide of the upright.
16.16 Marsaxlokk are playing with a 5-4-1 formation with Rasmus Linden being their attacking outlet and the Swedish forward’s continuous movement is unsettling a bit the Floriana defence.
16.13 In these opening minutes, it looks like Marsaxlokk who are the ones who have settled down the quicker as they are trying to build dangerous attacks while Floriana look somewhat disjointed.
16.11 Dodo Soares races through the Floriana defence but he slips as he entered the penalty box and the chance is lost.
16.08 The match is being played in windy conditions. Marsaxlokk have the wind blowing from behind their backs and will look to take advantage of the conditions.
16.06 Marsaxlokk win the first corner of the match… but Floriana easily clear the danger.
16.04 It’s a very slow and cagey start to the match as both teams are adopting a very cautious approach given the high stakes.
16.00 We are under way…
15.58 The players are on the pitch and they are greeted by fireworks at the National Stadium. We are close to get this final going with the referee being Matthew Degabriele.
The national anthem is played to get things underway.
15.55 Marsaxlokk are looking to bring home their second league title. The last time they lifted the crown they were under the administration of Victor Sciriha way back in 2007.
15.50 Floriana are chasing history today as should they win the Premier League title, they will become the most successful club in Maltese football. Winning the title today, would increase their tally to a record 27 championship crowns.
Incidentally, Floriana’s last title success came in 2020 and on that occasion it was Enzo Potenza, the current Marsaxlokk coach, who was at the helm.
15.40 Jean Paul Desira, the Floriana assistant coach, told Times of Malta that Floriana have enjoyed a fantastic season and they deserve to win the title this afternoon.
15.35 On the eve of the match, Marsaxlokk coach Enzo Potenza said that his team will start as the underdogs for today’s final, but his players have earned the right to be here and will do everything in their power to take the trophy back home.
15.30 On his part, Daniel Portela, the Floriana coach has reconfirmed the same 11 players that started the match in last week’s penalty shoot-out win over Valletta last week. That means that Jake Grech again had to settle for a place on the bench.
15.20 The line-ups are out and we start with Marsaxlokk’s starting formation. Coach Enzo Potenza made one change to his starting formation as Rasmus Linden is included in his starting XI at the expense of Redon Mihana.
15.15 The two teams are already at the National Stadium, getting ready for their warm-up session. Floriana will surely feel confident that they can finally end their six-year title drought with victory in today’s final.
The Greens enjoy a very good record against Marsaxlokk this season as they have managed to beat them twice in the Opening Round with an identical 2-1 scoreline.
Then in the Closing Round, Marsaxlokk and Floriana took a point each following a goalless draw in the League Phase, but then the Greens came from behind to beat the Southseasiders in the Top 6.
Good afternoon
After weeks of twists and turns, this season’s Malta Premier League title will be decided when Floriana and Marsaxlokk face off in the Finalissima at the National Stadium.
Floriana will start the match as the favourites to reclaim the title of Malta champions as the Greens have been the most consistent side in the division after placing second in the Opening Round and then dominated the Closing Round.
On the other hand, Marsaxlokk have been the surprise team of the competition as they managed to not only outwit some top sides from the title race but have shown a lot of consistency in their results.
No doubt, a fascinating tie awaits us, so stay with us to follow every minute of this final to see who will be crowned as Malta champions.
Author
