Kristian Keqi hat-trick hands Floriana the three points

Kristian Keqi was the hero for Floriana as he notched a hat-trick in the second half to hand them a 3-0 win over Sirens at the National Stadium on Friday.

A win which ensures Floriana stay on top the BOV Premier League table for another week. Valletta would re-join them on top should they beat Gudja United on Saturday.

The Greens made their intentions clear right from the start and on the 12th minute, Kristian Keqi served by Alex Cini anticipated the goalkeeper and hit the upright. Six minutes later, a Matias Nicolas Garcia low effort was saved by David Cassar and on the 24th, Cassar was prominent with a fine save into a corner on a Stefano D’Agostino first time effort following a cross by Keqi from the left.

Just before the end of the first half, Emmanuel Okoye served Flavio Cheveresan following an erratic clearance by Akpan but the Brazilian’s conclusion was neutralised by the Floriana goalkeeper.

Two minutes in the second half, Floriana managed to take the lead when off a cross from the right by Matias Garcia, Ulises Arias had a first attempt blocked by David Cassar and off the rebound, Garcia’s second attempt was palmed out by the Floriana goalkeeper but this time, Kristian Keqi placed the ball at the back of the net.

Three minutes later, Kristian Keqi was brought down inside the area by Ryan Grech; referee Matthew Degabriele ordered a penalty and Keqi made no mistake from the penalty spot.

The Greens scored the third goal on the 68th minute when off a cross by Stefano D’Agostino from the right, Kristian Keqi, all alone in front of the goalkeeper, headed the ball home. 

FLORIANA Ini Etim Akpan, Enzo Ruiz, Diego Venancio (81’ Clyde Borg), Kristian Keqi (84’ Jan Busuttil), Ulises Arias, Stefano D’Agostino (86’ Brandon Paiber), Jurgen Pisani, Matias Nicolas Garcia, Alex Cini, Ryan Camenzuli, Tiago Adan Fonseca.
Subs not used: Andrea Cassar, Bradley Sciberras, Aleandro Garzia, Terence Vella.
Coach: Vincenzo Potenza

SIRENS David Cassar, Ryan Grech (73’ Luke Sciberras) Wellington de Oliveira (68’ Edward Herrera), Sergio Raphael dos Anjos, Emmanuel Okoye, Ricardo Silva Faria, Adrian Borg, Abdullahi Ige Adeshina, Romeu Pericles Romao, Thiago Espindola de Paula, Flavio Silva Cheveresan.
Subs not used: Miguel Montfort, Kayode Zammit, Daniel Sant, Luke Grech, Larken Friggieri.
Coach: Stephen D’Amato

Referee: Matthew Degabriele
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Darko Stankovic
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Okoye, Grech
BOV Player of the Match: Kristian Keqi
Attendance: 679