Floriana see off ten-man Shamrock Rovers to take control of Champions League tie

FLORIANA 2

Muric 45, Jah 79

SHAMROCK ROVERS 0

A goal just before the end of the first half and another late in the game handed Floriana a 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round.

The Greens managed to build a two-goal cushion ahead of the second leg which is scheduled to be played in Dublin on Tuesday and put themselves in a strong position to progress with the winner of the tie between Ararat of Armenia and Riga FC of Latvia awaiting in the second qualifying round.

Floriana coach Daniel Portela handed new recruits Kauan and Robert Muric their debut as he opted for a typical 4-2-3-1 formation with Cioletti in goal, Zammit Lonardelli, Spiteri, Kauan and Beerman at the back, Vella and Kurtalic as defensive midfielders, Muric, Varela and Dervisagic behind lone striker Jah.

 Another three new signings Gaston Romano, Ange Curtis N’Dri and Tomislav Gudelj were included as substitutes.

The Irish held the initiative in the opening minutes with Michael Noonan heading high from close range from a cross by Dylan Watts on 12 minutes.

Ten minutes later, Robert Muric hit a shot from outside the area that was turned into a corner by goalkeeper Ed McGinty.  

The Greens threatened once again on 28 minutes when a good move between Varela, Jah and Dervisagic ended with a rising shot ending just over the bar.

Shamrock Rovers replied with an assist by Jack Bryne for Michael Noonan whose first attempt from close range was blocked before his second attempt was deflected into a corner by Spiteri. Six minutes from the end of the first half, Brennan entered the area but his shot was blocked

Floriana managed to take the lead just before the end of the first half. Fede Varela took a quick freekick, serving Muric on the right and the Croat winger rounded a defender before beating goalkeeper Edward McGinty with a curling shot from the edge of the area.

The Irish were reduced to ten men on 58 minutes when Matthew Healy was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in less than a minute.

A minute later, Floriana went close once again as Muric delivered a cross from the right but Kurtalic’s header was turned into a corner by Graham Burke.

Substitute Malace Asamoah finished a good move on the right with a close-range effort which was blocked into a corner by goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti on 75 minutes.

Three minutes later, Robert Muric had an angled shot from the right blocked by the Shamrock Rovers custodian.

Floriana doubled the score on 79 minutes.

Muric served Fede Varela on the right; the latter’s shot was partially saved by McGinty and Mustapha Jah placed the ball at the back of the net.

The Greens went close on 82 minutes with an overhead kick by Tomislav Gudelj off a cross by Zachary Scerri from the right.

But in the final stages, Shamrock Rovers pushed in search of a consolation goal and with one minute to go, Maleace Asamoah had an angled shot from the left cleared off the line by a defender.

FLORIANA

G. Cioletti, M. Beerman, Kauan, K. Dervisagic (66’ A. Curtis N’Dri), F. Varela, R. Muric (81’ T. Gudelj), D. Vella (71’ G. Romano), A. Kurtalic, O. Spiteri, M. Jah (81’ Z. Scerri), C. Zammit Lonardelli.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

E. McGinty, E. Stevens, L. Grace, D. Watts (63 J. O’Reilly-O’Sullivan), M. Healy, G. Burke (72 M. Asamoah), J. Mulraney (63 L. O’Regan), A. Brennan, C. O’Sullivan, J. Bryne, M. Noonan (88 J. McGovern).

Referee: Benjamin Brand (Germany).

Yellow cards: Healy.

Red card: Healy (S) 58.