Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/298224
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 APRIL 2014 Sport 49 PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD FOOTBALL SPORTTODAY Important victory for Vittoriosa to keep survival hopes alive Floriana defeat Naxxar to secure Premier League status Vittoriosa Stars ...... 2 Qormi .................... 0 VITTORIOSA Stars registered an important victory over Qormi to keep their chances to play in the Pre- mier League next season alive. Despite their defeat Qormi are Mathematically safe as they are sure to finish above the remaining relega- tion battlers. Vittoriosa now take on Naxxar in what will be a decider. Qormi's Alfred Effiong passed to Jorge Pereira da Silva who shot went wide on the 12th minute. Vittoriosa had a great opportunity to score when Oscar Guerrero's cross was deflected into the path of Samir Arab who then could not control the ball before goalkeeper Matthew Far- rugia made sure he had his hands on the ball. On the 34th minute, Vittoriosa had another chance to score when Oscar Guerrero's cross went towards Marcelo Pereira to then shot the ball over the net. With both sides missing good scor- ing opportunities until the match almost ended, Vittoriosa managed to take the lead on the 87th minute. Off a corner by Francisco Arria- gada Mella, Clive Brincat's shot from close range was blocked by goalkeep- er Mathew Farrugia and off the re- bound Marcelo Perreira scored from close range. On the 90th minute Vittoriosa doubled their lead. Oscar Guerrero made his way past Qormi's Jonathan Bondin to then have his low shot beat Farrugia. VITTORIOSA STARS Mario Mus- cat, Samir Arab (83' Malcolm Butti- gieg), Leonardo Torri (77' Francisco Arriagada Mella), Carl Sammut (70' Siraj Arab Eddin), Ousmane Sidibe, Jose Filipe Aguiar, Marcelo Pereira, Oscar Dario Guerrero, Clive Brincat, Luke Vella Critien, Clive Spiteri. Subs not used: Sean Cini, Michael Camilleri, Ryan Mifsud, Mark Bar- bara, Coach: Oliver Spiteri QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Jonath- an Bondin, Alfred Effiong, Duncan Pisani, Emerson Vella (84' Christian Terrible), Leighton Grech (68' Lucas Cantoro), Roderick Sammut, Triston Caruana, Owen Bugeja, Raffaele Simone Quintieri, Jorge Pereira da Silva. Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Leon- ardo Gabrieli, Karl Sciortino, Paolo Danolo, Dylan Pirotta. Coach: Karel Zeman Referee: Vitalijs Spasjonnikovs (LAT) Assistant Referees: Jevgēnijs Moro- zovs, Valdis Koritko (LAT) Fourth Official: Marco Borg Yellow Cards: Quintieri, Torri Scorers: 87' Marcelo Pereira, 90' Os- car Dario Guerrero BOV Player of the Match: Oscar Guerrero Naxxar Lions ......... 0 Floriana ................ 2 FLORIANA have secured their place in the Premier League next season af- ter they defeated Naxxar Lions 2-0. Naxxar started the match protest- ing for a penalty just four minutes in- to the match. Milan Vignjevic looked to be fouled by Clyde Borg but the referee waved play on. Naxxar came close to scoring on the 18th minute when Yuri Martines de Oliveira had his shot from outside the area edge past the post. Floriana's Diogo Pinheiro freekick was easily saved by goalkeeper Luke Pecorella on the 30th minute. Ten minutes into the second half, a freekick by Diogo Pinheiro was partially saved and off the rebound Clyde Borg easily beat the Naxxar goalkeeper and placed the ball at the back of the net, but the goal was dis- allowed for being Clyde Borg being offside. Floriana made sure they scored just three minutes later. Off a cross by Diogo Pinheiro, John Roland Emeka deflected the ball past goalkeeper Luke Pecorella. Naxxar had a great chance to level the score when they were awarded a penalty on the 63rd minute. Daren Falzon was brought down inside the area by Andre Scicluna. From the penalty spot, Daren Falzon's shot was saved by goalkeeper Sean Mintoff. Floriana made it 2-0 on the 68th minute. Christian Caruana served Diogo Pinheiro who then easily beat goalkeeper Luke Pecorella with his shot. NAXXAR LIONS Luke Pecorella, Raimi Bakare, Victor Bellia, Angus Buhagiar, Ryan Gilmour Cassar, Andrew Decesare, Daren Falzon (82' Duane Bonnici), Thiago Lopez de Souza, Yuri Martines de Oliveira (66' Terence Scerri), Filip Stojanovic, Mi- lan Vignjevic. Subs not used: Matteo Farrugia, John Debono, Jurgen Debono, Kurt Drago, Yaron Sammut. Coach: Winston Muscat FLORIANA Sean Mintoff, Andre Scicluna, Emmanuel Ibok Edet, Ste- ve Pisani, John Roland Emeka (66 Isaac Galea), Christian Caruana (88 Jonathan Xerri), Diogo Pinheiro de Sousa, Clyde Borg, Manuel Briffa, Rodrigo Felix Aguiar, Sacha Borg. Subs not used: Daniel Hanford, Luke Micallef, Darrell Baldacchino, Luca Casha, Matthew Bajada. Coach: Giovanni Tedesco Referee: Chris Lautier Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, David Castillo Additional Assistant Referees: Fyo- dor Zammit, Sandro Spiteri Fourth Official: Peter Abela Yellow Cards: C. Caruana, S. Borg, V. Bellia, R. Bakare, A. Scicluna, S. Pisani, D. Falzon Scorers: 58' John Roland Emeka, 68' Diogo Pinheiro de Sousa BOV Player of the Match: Christian Caruana