Despite going ahead twice early in the game, Floriana lost 4-2 to FC Ballkani of Kosovo in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Prishtina on Tuesday.
Floriana had a perfect start, taking the lead on 8 minutes after a defender was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area and Jake Grech converted from the penalty spot.
Ballkani equalised on 13 minutes courtesy of Bleart Tolaj who headed the ball home off a cross by Almir Kryeziu from the left.
Mustapha Jah doubled the score on 25 minutes after concluding a great run after beating two defenders, slotting the ball past goalkeeper
However two minutes later, Ballkani equalised thanks to Sunday Adetunji who received an assist by Giovanni following an erratic clearance by a defender and slotted the ball past Cioletti.
On the half hour, Ardit Deliu hit the upright with a shot from outside the area but two minutes later, they were not to be denied when Bleart Tolaj put Ballkani 3-2 ahead, beating the Floriana goalkeeper from inside the area following another erratic clearance and a good move between Giovanni, Kryeziu and Adetunji.
The hosts increased the lead on 76 minutes when off a cross by Geralb Smajli, Sunday Adetunji headed home past Cioletti.
The second leg will be played at the Centenary Stadium on July 31.
The winner of this clash will be facing the winner of the clash between St Joseph’s FC of Gibraltar and Shamrock Rovers FC of Ireland in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.
BALLKANI Artan Iljazi, Geralb Smajli, Arber Potoku (79′ Elvis Letaj), Bleart Tolaj (90′ Loris Kolgeci), Giovanni, Almir Kryeziu, Ardit Deliu (72′ Walid Hamidi), Ivica Batarelo, Albert Diene, Bajram Jashanica, Sunday Adetunji.
FLORIANA Guilherme Cioletti, Lucas Lopez, Jake Grech, Federico Varela, Dunstan Vella (67′ Zachary Scerri), Mustapha Jah (80′ Todor Glisovic), Gonzalo Gamarra, Charles M’Mombwa, Iago Mendonca, Mattia Veselji, Alejandro Garzia (80′ Owen Spiteri).
Referee: Gergo Bogár HUN
Assistant referees: Istvan Albert HUN, Theodoros Georgiou HUN
Fourth official: Péter Zierkelbach HUN