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28 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 OCTOBER 2019 BOV PREMIER LEAGUE SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG FLORIANA remained top of the Premier League as they came from behind to secure a 4-1 win over Sirens. The first encounter at the Centenary Stadium was a match between the best two sides in the Premier League so far. Floriana made a great start to the league and find themselves in the first place. They are the only side still unbeaten in the Premier League. On the other hand, newly promoted Sirens also made a dream start to their campaign. Steve D'Amato's men registered a number of positive results that put them just one point behind Floriana prior to this match. The St Paul Bay's team only struggled against Hamrun. The Greens threatened Sirens after 6 minutes. From a free-kick, Diego Venancio fired a powerful shot that was blocked by David Cassar. On the 12th minute, Brandron Paiber of Floriana tried his luck from distance, but his effort sailed wide. Floriana threatened Sirens again on the 14th minute. Tiago Adan Fonseco hit a shot from outside the penalty area that went marginally off target. Sirens replied though Siraj Arab. The Maltese midfielder fired a low shot that was neutralised by Ini Etim Akpan. Vincenzo Potenza's men lost a good opportunity on the 35th minute. Following a fast counter, Jose Ulises Arias squared the ball in the direction of Jurgen Pisani whose low shot was saved by Cassar. Sirens hit back on the 38th minute. Romeu Romao's shot from a free-kick ended up wide. Sirens broke the deadlock two minutes from half-time. Raphael Dos Anjos delivered an excellent through ball forward that went in the direction of Wellington De Oliveira who headed the ball past Akpan. Floriana equalised five minutes into the second half. Diego Venancio's shot from a free-kick took a deflection off a defender and ended up past David Cassar. The Greens went ahead on the 55th minute. Alex Cini's delivery from the right was met by Fonseco who slotted the ball home. Fonseca went close again on the 75th minute. Following a cross from the right, the Brazilian headed the ball wide. Floriana made sure of the three points on the 85th minute. Paiber fired a thumping shot from the edge of the penalty area that gave Cassar no chance. Floriana scored again during the additional time. The Greens hit Sirens on the break with the ball falling for Edward Herrera who fired a shot that was stopped by Daniel Sant who used his hands. The referee was close and pointed towards the spot. In addition, Sant was shown a straight red card. Keqi stepped up and converted. Following this result, Floriana will remain top of the table as the Greens remain unbeaten. Sirens starting line-up: David Cassar, Daniel Sant, Ryan Grech, Wellington De Oliveira (ussell Fenech-82), Raphael Dos Anjos, Siraj Edin Arab (Manuel Angel Bustos-68), Adeshina Abdullahi (Luke Sciberras-66), Romeu Romao, Lucas Memezes, Thiago Espindola, Flavio Cheveresan Floriana starting line-up: Ini Etim Akpan, Enzo Ruiz, Diego Venancio, Kristian Keqi, Ulises Arias (Clyde Borg-68), Brandon Paiber (Edward Herrera-86), Jurgen Pisani, Matias Garcia (Jan Tanti-45), Alexander Cini, Ryan Camenzuli, Tiago Adan Fonseca Referee: Slobodan Petrovic Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Ivan Galea Fourth Official: Mario Apap BOV Player of the Match: Tiago Adan Fonseca (Floriana) Floriana maintain winning streak Sirens Floriana 1 4 GZIRA registered their third consecutive win after beating Birkirkara 3-1. Birkirkara came into this match looking to win again in order to keep climbing up the table. The Stripes were coming from a positive result against Hibernians. However, they had another difficult opponent in this match. In fact, Gzira are still unbeaten in the league. Despite this, Tedesco's men lost a number of points as they drew four out of their first six fixtures. However, they won their last two matches against Balzan and Valletta and will be looking to win again in order to keep in touch with Floriana. Gzira made a good start to the match and nearly forged ahead on the 7th minute. Martin Davis went through on goal, but his final effort was deflected for a corner. The Maroons made up for losing this opportunity two minutes later as they forged ahead. Hamed Kone's volley from inside the penalty area gave Andrew Hogg no chance. Birkirkara replied on the 15th minute. Miguel Angel Alba received a pass inside the penalty area and hit a low shot from close range that went off target. On the 24th minute, Henrique Prado fired a shot from outside the penalty area that was neutralised by Justin Haber. Prado was denied by Haber once again on the 32nd minute. The Brazilian fired a shot from distance that was saved by the veteran goalkeeper again. Gzira hit back five minutes later. Athur Oyama drilled a low shot that was parried by Hogg. Hogg was on the alert again moments later. Zachary Scerri played Gianmarco Conti through. The Italian attempted to place the ball inside the net, but found Birkirkara's goalkeeper in his way. A commotion took place on the 57th minute. Jefferson De Assis went through on goal and was brought down after being challenged by Hogg. The Brazilian protested heavily and was immediately shown a yellow card. The things kept on escalating as Jefferson also had an argument with Miguel Alba. However, Fyodor Zammit took control of the situation and the match continued. Birkirkara threatened Gzira three minutes later. Federico Falcone delivered a cross in the direction of Cain Attard who fired high from close range. Gzira doubled their advantage on the 75th minute. Oyama sent a cross from the left flank that was met by Kone who slotted the ball past Hogg. Birkirkara pulled one back on the 83rd minute. Fernando Barbosa floored Falcone inside the penalty area and the referee pointed towards the spot. Falcone took charge of the spot kick and made no mistake. Gzira sealed the issue during the ad- ditional time. Following a fast counter attack, Cohen ran inside the penalty area and placed the ball inside the net to the joy of Gzira's suppoters. Birkirkara starting line-up: Andrew Hogg, Enrico Pepe, Maurizio Vella (Matthew Guillaumier-75), Roderick Briffa, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Henrique prado, Matias Oscar Prado, Miguel Angel Alba (Michael Mifsud-64), Ryan Fenech, Isaac Ntow Gzira United starting line-up: Justin Haber, Fernando Barbosa, Gianmarco Conti (Andrew Cohen-72), Nikolai Muscat (Juan Carlos Corbalan-82), Zachary Scerri, Rodolfo Soares, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Hamed Kone, Arthur Oyama, Martin Davis, Jefferson De Assis Referee: Fyodor Zammit Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Christopher Francalanza Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri BOV Player of the Match: Hamed Kone (Gzira) Gzira beat Birkirkara in tense match Birkirkara Gzira United 1 3