The UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie between Floriana FC and FC Drita of Kosovo remains wide open as the two teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Centenary Stadium on Tuesday.
The two teams shared the exchanges, both having their fair share of scoring opportunities but it was only in added time that the two teams scored their goals. In fact, referee Marius Hansen Grøtta gave eighteen minutes of added time after three power cuts interrupted the game during the second half.
Floriana, who welcomed back Paul Mbong, had a goal by Carlo Zammit Lonardelli disallowed for an offside just before the end of the first half.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Kosovo managed to take the lead six minutes in added time when Blerim Krasniqi sent substitute Liridon Balaj through and the latter advanced all alone before beating goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti.
However five minutes later, Floriana equalised courtesy of substitute Amar Drina who placed the ball in the bottom left corner after a pass by Fede Varela from the left was deflected by a defender.
A minute later, substitute Tomislav Gudelj almost notched the winner for Daniel Portela’s side but his attempt from the right hit the foot of the upright.
The second leg is scheduled for July 28 at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Pristina. The winner between Floriana and Drita will be facing SS Tre Fiori of San Marino in the third qualifying round.
FLORIANA Guilherme Cioletti, Myles Beerman, Kauan, Fede Varela, Dunstan Vella (76’ Chapi Romano), Robert Muric (64’ Kenan Dervisagic), Alen Kurtalic (90+7’ Amar Drina), Owen Spiteri, Mustapha Jah (76’ Zachary Scerri), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (76’ Tomislav Gudelj), Paul Mbong.
DRITA Faton Maloku, Besnik Krasniqi, Igball Jashari (90+8’ Hajdin Salihu), Vesel Limaj, Arb Manaj (76’ Liridon Balaj)(90+8’ Oniks Grezda), Albert Dabiqaj, Blerim Krasniqi, Altin Bytyqi, Raddy Ovouka, Jorgo Pellumbi, Kristal Abazaj (88’ Blerton Sheji).
Referee: Marius Hansen Grøtta NOR
Assistant referees: Aleksander Jæger, Erland Hareland NOR
Fourth official: Svein Tore Sinnes NOR