Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/887355
maltatoday SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017 Sports 52 FOOTBALL Floriana and Balzan share the points PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG Balzan ........................ 1 Floriana ...................... 1 WARREN ZAMMIT BALZAN created the first oppor- tunity on gaol after just four min- utes. From a free-kick, Carlos Ed- uardo De Fiori Mendes sent a shot that went centimetres off target. Ini Etim Akpan almost gifted Balzan the opening goal on the 11th minute. The Floriana goal- keeper failed to neutralise a long ball delivered by Samir Arab and possession fell for Bojan Kalje- vic. However, Floriana's defend- ers rushed back and blocked the Montenegrin's effort. Floriana replied on the 25th minute. Nicolas Chiesa delivered a cross towards the unmarked Ignacio Varela whose first time shot took a def lection off Bruno Gilio de Oliveira and went out for a corner. On the 37th minute, De Fiori Mendes went on a good run be- fore firing a shot from the edge of the penalty area that forced a good save from Akpan. De Fiore Mendes threated Flo- riana's defence once more in the additional time prior to half time. The Brazilian player hit a central shot that was saved by Akpan. Balzan went ahead on the 54th minute. Bojan Kaljevic went on a great run down the right f lank, entered the penalty area, and placed the ball behind Akpan from an angled position. Floriana hit back on the 59th minute. Following a cross, the ball went into the path of Maurizio Vella whose low shot was saved by Janjusevic. Two minutes later, Balzan had a good chance to double their ad- vantage. Ryan Fenech sent pow- erful drive that took a def lection off a defender and went out for a corner. Janjusevic had to be alert to de- ny Floriana on the 65th minute. Enzo Ruiz hit a shot from a free- kick that was parried by Balzan's shot stopper. Floriana equalised on the 72nd minute. From a corner, Steve Pisani delivered a cross that was met by Ruiz whose header that was saved by Janjusevic. Rebound fell for Vella who finished home. The greens nearly went ahead on the 79th minute. Arthur Oyana hit a powerful drive that produced an excellent save from Janjusevic. In the remaining minutes, both teams were happy to settle for a point with neather team threat- ening much. Floriana starting line-up: Ini Etim Akpan, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg, Ignacio Varela, Maurizio Vella, Alex Cini, Arthur Oyama, Nico- las Chiesa (Dylan Grima – 52), Mario Fontanella Balzan starting line-up: Ivan Janjusevic, Steven Bezzina, Mi- chael Johnson, Alex Da Paixao Alves (Justin Grioli – 90), Uros Ljubomirac, Ryan Fenech, Bojan Kaljevic (Alfred Effiong – 69), Bru- no Gilio de Oliveira, Paul Fenech, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes, Samir Arab (Milos Lepovic – 89) Referee: Fyodor Zammit Assistant Referees: Alan Camill- eri, Sammy Attard Fourth Official: Glen Tonna Yellow Cards: Steve Pisani (Flo- riana), Maurizio Vella (Floriana), Ryan Fenech (Balzan), Samir Arab (Balzan), Enrico Pepe (Floriana), Clyde Borg (Floriana) BOV Player of the Match: Car- los Eduardo De Fiori Mendes (Balzan) Floriana are still unbeaten after sharing the spoils with Balzan in a 1-1 draw