Marsaxlokk registered a most impressive 5-2 win over Floriana in a most eventful match from the VBET Malta Premier Opening Round league phase at the National Stadium on Saturday.
Seven goals were scored, two penalties were awarded and a player was sent off as no less than five decisions were reversed after FVS reviews.
Following the defeat in the BOV Super Cup, Floriana coach Daniel Portela could not count on the suspended Paul Mbong. Robert Muric, Alen Kurtalic and Ange Curtis N’Dri were handed a start as Dunstan Vella was only included as a substitute and Kenan Dervisagic was missing from the match day squad. For Marsaxlokk, Weder Silva replaced Juan Corbalan.
Marsaxlokk managed to take the lead on 9 minutes when Dodo received a through pass on the right before serving Rasmus Linden who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti. The goal was originally disallowed for an offside but the referee reversed his decision after Marsaxlokk played the FVS card.
Floriana were awarded a penalty on 21 minutes after Floriana requested the FVS review as Nikolai Muscat handled the ball inside the area. However, Robert Muric’s effort from the penalty spot was turned into a corner by goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi. From the resulting corner, the Greens levelled matters as Muric served Federico Varela who controlled the ball before beating Mafoumbi with a fine rising shot from the right.
Marsaxlokk regained the lead on 32 minutes when Joseph Minala sent Matias Garcia through and the latter rounded Mafoumbi before placing the ball at the back of the net.
Five minutes later, Minala sent Ulises Arias through and with Cioletti rushing out of the area in an attempt to clear the ball into safety, the ball rebounded onto Arias who entered the area before hitting home. Once again, the goal was awarded after Vincenzo Potenza requested the FVS review as the assistant referee had originally signalled an offside position.
The Southseasiders extended the lead on 58 minutes when they were awarded a penalty following yet another FVS review. The referee ordered the penalty after video evidence proved that Carlo Zammit Lonardelli had handled the ball inside the area and Joseph Minala converted from the penalty spot.
Floriana reduced the gap three minutes later when Yassine Jbira delivered a cross from the left and Carlo Zammit Lonardelli beat goalkeeper Mafoumbi from close range.
Jbira was sent off for Floriana on 75 minutes for serious foul play as the referee reversed his decision to initially award him a yellow card for a tackle on Joseph Minala after Marsaxlokk asked for FVS review.
Six minutes from time, substitute Semir Smajlagic made it 5-2 when he intercepted a throw in by Kauan for Alen Kurtalic and concluded a solo run on the right by rounding the goalkeeper and placing the ball at the back of the net.