Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1037099
28 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 OCTOBER 2018 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG BOV PREMIER LEAGUE Floriana secure second consecutive win WARREN ZAMMIT FOLLOWING their win against Qormi, Floriana started the match looking to gain some momentum. On the other hand, struggling Senglea were eager to start winning points as Vincenzo Poten- za's side find themselves bottom of the table with just one point. Floriana made an excellent start to the match and forged ahead after just three minutes. Following a cross by Steve Pisani, Senglea's defenders failed to clear their marks. Juninho Cabral rushed forward and drilled a low shot past Matthew Farrugia. Senglea replied on the 9th minute. Au- gusto Rene Caseres squared the ball for Karl Cutajar whose effort sailed wide. Luis Oliveira's men threatened Sen- glea again on the 14th minute. Clay- ton Failla delivered a long ball towards Cabral and the latter ran forward be- fore firing a shot that failed to hit the target. On the 25th minute, Maurizio Vella of Floriana tried his luck from distance, but his shot was saved by Farrugia in two attempts. Senglea equalised on the 32nd min- ute. Brandon Muscat's cross was met by Caseres who headed the ball behind Ini Etim Akpan. The Greens tried to hit back in order to regain the lead prior to the half-time whistle and created an opportunity on the 38th minute. Cabral saw his shot from a free-kick being neutralised by Farrugia. However, they succeeding in regain- ing the lead two minutes later. Clayton Failla delivered a cross towards Ignacio Varela whose fantastic header stamped off the post before ending up inside the net. Floriana started the second half where they left off the first and had an excel- lent chance to score again on the 47th minute. Alex Cini distributed a cross to- wards the unmarked Arthur Henrique Oyama who failed to hit the target from close range. Emerson Marcellina added another goal for Floriana on the 54th minute. Following a cross by Pisani, the Brazil- ian headed the ball home. Three minutes later, Vella was played through on goal by Varela, but failed to hit the target. Despite losing this opportunity, Vella still managed to list his name on the score sheet as he sealed the three points for Floriana on the 66th minute. Cabral delivered a cross towards the Italian who headed the ball behind Senglea's custodian. Senglea had an opportunity on the 76th minute. Leighton Grech went in- side the penalty area down the right flank and fired a shot that hit the side netting. Six minutes later, Federico Salvati saw his shot from a free-kick ending up slightly high. Akpan had to be on the alert to deny Senglea from scoring a consolation goal on the 86th minute. Romani Tcanturia hit a strong shot from close-range that forced a good save from Floriana's shot stopper. Following this result, Floriana secured their third win, while Senglea remain anchored in the bottom of the table with just one point from six matches. Floriana starting line-up: Ini Etim Akpan, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Ignacio Varela, Maurizio Vella, Juninho Cabral, Clayton Failla, Jurgen Pisani, Alex Cini, Athur Henrique Oyama, Emerson Mar- cellina Senglea Athletic starting line-up: Matthew Farrugia, Brandon Muscat, Ferdinando Salvati, Leighton Grech, Imanol Benac Gonzalez, Zachary Cas- sar, Fabrizio Massimo Bramati, Matias Nicolas Garcia, Rene Augusto Caseres, Karl Cutajar, Romani Tcanturia Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann Assistant Referees: William Debat- tista, Ivan Galea Fourth Official: Slobodan Petrovic BOV Player of the Match: Juninho Cabral (Floriana) SPORTS Floriana Senglea Athletic 4 1 GŻIRA United had to work hard in order to secure a 1-0 win over Qormi. Gżira dominated possession throughout the first half, but were unable to create as many chances on goal as they wanted. The Maroons went close on the 11th minute. Juan Carlos Corbalan attempted his luck from distance, but his effort ended up marginally off target. Corbalan threatened Qormi again two minutes from half-time. The Maltese player drilled a low shot that was saved by Jamie Azzopardi. The tempo of the match remained practically the same throughout the second half. On the 56th minute, Edison Bil- bao Zarate delivered a cross from the left that went in the direction of Rodolfo Soares who headed the ball wide. On the other end, Tensior Gus- man went on a good run before fir- ing a shot that failed to hit the target. Qormi suffered a set-back on the 70th minute as Gusman was sent off following an argument with one of the referees. This red card disoriented Qormi's defence as the Maroons finally broke the deadlock nine minutes later. Davide Mansi tried to play the ball backwards in the direction of the goalkeeper; however, Haruna Garba intercepted and placed the ball inside an open goal. Things went from bad to worse for Qormi as they ended up in nine men moments later. Substitute Gaetano Gesualdi was sent off after being shown his second yellow card. Gżira United starting line-up: Justin Haber, Zachary Scerri, Ro- dolfo Soares, Andrew Cohen, Juan Carlos Corbalan, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Roderick Briffa, Jorge Perei- ra da Silva, Sacha Borg, Fernando Barbosa Pereira, Haruna Garba Qormi starting line-up: Jamie Azzopardi, Davide Mansi, Yan- nick Yankam, Kim Seo In, Michael Camilleri, Alan Abela, Alessio Cas- sar, Lubos Adamec, Mendonca Kassiano Soares, Tensior Gusman, Michael Borg Referee: Darryl Agius Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Dusan Petrovic Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri BOV Player of the Match: Juan Carlos Corbalan (Gżira) Gzira struggle to beat nine-men Qormi