Floriana could only settle for a point in a 2-2 draw with Gzira United at the National Stadium on Saturday. A draw which puts them on level points with Valletta following the Citizens’ 3-1 win over Balzan.
The Greens seem under huge pressure as they have now collected just four points from the last four matches to lose what seemed a comfortable lead on top the BOV Premier League table.
For Gzira, this was their first point following the arrival of coach Paul Zammit. Like Floriana, they managed to win just four points from the last four matches and remain in fourth place on 29 points – six behind the two joint-leaders.
The Greens managed to take the lead on the 32nd minute when off a Diego Venancio corner, Stefano D’Agostino’s effort was deflected by a Gzira player to end at the back of the net.
Five minutes in the second half, the Maroons levelled matters through Marco Criaco who concluded a solo effort by rounding a defender and the goalkeeper and placing the ball at the back of the net.
Gzira forged ahead on the 66th minute thanks to another goal by Marco Criaco who received a cross by Dexter Xuereb and beat Floriana custodian Ini Etim Akpan with a fine shot.
However, Floriana rescued a point four minutes from time thanks to Tiago Adan Fonseca who headed the ball home off a freekick by Diego Venancio.
GZIRA Justin Haber, Fernando Barbosa, Nikolai Muscat (81’ Juan Carlos Corbalan), Zachary Scerri, Rodolfo Soares, Dexter Xuereb, Hamed Kone (76’ Amadou Samb), Sacha Borg, Marco Criaco, Wilfried Domoraud, Martin Davis (80’ Andrew Cohen).
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Ryan Darmanin, Karl Pulo.
Coach: Paul ZammitFLORIANA Ini Etim Akpan, Enzo Ruiz, Diego Venancio, Kristian Keqi, Ulises Arias (61’ Jan Busuttil), Stefano D’Agostino (90+4’ Clyde Borg), Jurgen Pisani, Alex Cini (76’ Terence Vella), Marcelo Dias, Ryan Camenzuli, Tiago Adan Fonseca.
Subs not used: Andrea Cassar, Isaac Galea, Bradley Sciberras, Aleandro Garzia.
Coach: Vincenzo Potenza
Asst. Coach: Darren Anton VellaReferee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Mitchell Scerri
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Arias, Muscat, Venancio, Ruiz, Fonseca, S. Borg
BOV Player of the Match: Marco CriacoAttendance: