A goal twelve minutes from time by Joao Silva handed Vitoria SC a narrow win over Floriana in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round at the Centenary Stadium on Thursday. 

The Greens were well-aware of the strength of their opponents but managed to give them a hard time, also going close to taking the lead with attempts by Thiaguinho and Jake Grech early in the game and Kemar Reid early in the second half.

However on 78 minutes, Vitoria scored the all-important goal thanks to Joao Silva who beat Mafoumbi from inside the area when served by Jesus Ramirez.

The second leg will be played on Thursday at the Estadio D. Alfonso Henriques in Guimaraes, kick-off at at 21:15. In the third qualifying round, the team which qualifies will be facing the winner of the clash between FC Zürich of Switzerland and Shelbourne FC of Ireland. Zurich defeated Shelbourne 3-0 in the first leg.

FLORIANA Christoffer Mafoumbi,  Oualid El Hasni, Jake Grech (88’ Anthony Obonogwu), Kemar Reid, Thiaguinho (80’ Carlo Zammit Lonardelli), Dunstan Vella (80’ Mattia Veselji), Owen Spiteri, Matias Garcia, Alexandros Kouro, Fernandinho, Alejandro Garzia (85’ Guy Serge Yameogo).

VITORIA Bruno Varela, Nelson Oliveira (63’ Jesus Ramirez), Tomas Handel, Tiago Silva (90+1’ Marco Cruz), Joao Silva (90+1’ Jose Carlos), Joao Mendes , Ricardo Mangas (63’ Kaio Cesar), Toni Borevkovic, Jorge Fernandes, Alberto, Nuno Santos (63’ Samu).

Referee: Ben Mcmaster NIR

Assistant Referees: Stephen Bell, Gavin Hegarty NIR

Fourth Official: Keith Kennedy NIR