Floriana registered their first win as they beat ten-man Valletta 3-0 at the National Stadium on Saturday.
This was the first win for Gianluca Atzori’s side after two draws from the first two matches while for Valletta, this was the first defeat after two matches.
The Greens had two changes as Emiliano Callegari and Jan Busuttil were preferred to Oualid El Hasni and Alejandro Garzia. On the other hand, Valletta coach Toze Mendes named an unchanged side from the last match against Balzan.
Floriana held the initiative right from the start, going close with attempts by Augusto Caseres and Kristian Keqi neutralised by Guarnone and on 28th, Christian Gauci risked committed an own goal with the ball ending on the crossbar.
Floriana took the lead on the 38th when off a cross by Adam Magri Overend from the right, Ulises Jose Arias headed the ball home past Guarnone.
Fourteen minutes in the second half, Christian Gauci went close with a header for Valletta but the Greens replied with two attempts by Mattia Veseiji which were both neutralised by Guarnone. On the 74th, Christian Gauci received a second yellow card for Valletta, therefore ending in ten men.
Three minutes from time, Floriana doubled the score thanks to substitute Daniel Agius whose angled shot from the right gave substitute goalkeeper Yenz Cini no chance.
One minute in added time, substitute Kevin Tulimieri could have reduced the gap with a shot from outside Thea area which hit the crossbar.
However three minutes later, Ryan Camenzuli received an assist by Veselji, entered the area and beat Cini with a low shot from the left.
FLORIANA Georgi Kitanov, Adam Magri Overend (Alejandro Garzia 86’), Christian Rutjens, Zachary Cassar, Augusto Caseres (Daniel Agius 85’), Kristian Keqi (Mattia Veselji 63’), Ulises Jose Arias (Brandon Paiber 67’), Matias Nicolas Garcia, Emiliano Callegari, Jan Busuttil, Ryan Camenzuli.
Coach: Gianluca AtzoriVALLETTA Alessandro Guarnone (Yenz Cini 82’), Ryan Camilleri (Shaun Dimech 68’), Triston Caruana (92-Kevin Tulimieri 82’), James Arthur, Christian Gauci, Enmy Pena Beltre, Joseph Zerafa (Michele Sansone 46’), Ivan Curjuric, Caio Prado, Mario Fontanella, Lucas Ribeiro Campos (Eslit Sala 68’).
Coach: Antonio Jose Cardoso MendesReferee: Matthew De Gabriele
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Christopher Francalanza
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: C. Rutjens, J. Zerafa, M. Garcia, C. Gauci, M. Veselji
Red Cards: 74’ Clifford Gauci
BOV Player of the Match: Alessandro Guarnone