Floriana came back from a goal down to beat Marsaxlokk 2-1 in the Finalissima of the YoHealth Malta Premier in front of 6,141 spectators at the National Stadium on Saturday.
Marsaxlokk demonstrated greater determination from the outset and maintained control throughout the first half, securing a narrow lead. However, on the restart the Greens improved significantly and quickly restored balance, notching the winner in stoppage time.
Floriana’s coach Daniel Portela made no changes to the team that had defeated Valletta on penalties. Enzo Potenza, on the other hand, made one substitution, replacing Redon Mihana with Rasmus Linden.
Just four minutes into the match Ulises Arias threatened with a cross but Iago Mendonca deflected it into a corner and the resulting corner by Aguirre was cleared into safety by Mendonca. Three minutes later Dodo advanced into the area and was challenged by a defender but the referee waved play on. At 15 minutes Leandro Aguirre served Dodo but his long-range effort went off target.
The Greens replied with a good move by Charles M’Mombwa, followed by a cross shot from the left which was parried by goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi on 18 minutes.
Marsaxlokk, however, managed to take the lead on 36 minutes. Ulises Arias delivered a cross from the right and Rasmus Linden managed to anticipate Carlo Zammit Lonardelli and goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti and lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper ending at the back of the net despite Owen Spiteri’s desperate attempt to clear into safety.
Two minutes in added time, Floriana went close to equalising. M’Mombwa delivered a cross from the right but Rui Areias’ header was neutralised by goalkeeper Mafoumbi.
Ten minutes in the second half, Portela replaced Dunstan Vella and Rui Areias with Jake Grech and Mustapha Jah in a bid to increase their striking power and one minute later, the Greens levelled matters. Jah provided the assist to Federico Varela who beat goalkeeper Mafoumbi with an angled shot from the right.
Floriana’s confidence soared as Paul Mbong delivered a right-wing cross with Alen Kurtalic’s header turned into a corner by Mafoumbi. Two minutes later, from a Jake Grech corner, Mendonca headed the ball towards the goal. Jah anticipated the goalkeeper and headed the ball over the bar.
The Southseasiders missed a golden opportunity on 74 minutes. Linden, served by Redon Mihana on the right, hit a high shot from inside the area. With a minute left, Marsaxlokk captain Nikolai Muscat tested Cioletti from outside the area but the Floriana goalkeeper saved easily.
However, two minutes of added time saw Floriana score the winner. Carlo Zammit Lonardelli delivered a long throw in from the right. Substitute Kenan Dervisagic flicked the ball past Mafoumbi, hitting the upright before ending at the back of the net. Following a FVS review regarding a potential handling of the ball by the Floriana player, Matthew De Gabriele confirmed the goal.
Twelve minutes in added time, Aguirre’s cross led to Weder Silva hitting a low shot with Minala and Dodo failing to connect from close range, missing a chance to restore balance and force extra time.