Floriana 4
Tarxien R. 0
Floriana: I. Akpan, E. Ruiz, S. Pisani, C. Borg, I. Varela (B. Sciberras 78), M. Vella (C. Failla 38), G. Galesic (T. Vella 61), T. Galvao da Silva, A. Cini, A. Oyama, E. Marcellina
Tarxien R.: A. Cassar, J. Wemmer, M. Spiteri, M. Paolucci, G. Aquilina (D. Falzon 67), A. Agius, A. Scicluna, S. Radovanovic, A. De Barros, R. Faria, A. Nilsson
Referee: Emm. Grech
Asst refs: D. Sultana, D. Stankovic
4th official: M. Spiteri
Scorers: T. Galvao da Silva 14, I. Varela 16, A. Oyama 90, 92
Yellow cards: G. Galesic 41, A. Cini 49, A. Agius 74
Player of the match: A. Oyama
TMI Top 3: 1. A. Oyama, 2. I. Varela, 3. R. Faria
Attendance: 423
Floriana gave their recently appointed Italian mentor Guido Ugolotti a Christmas gift as they beat Tarxien Rainbows 4-0 to claim their first win under the Italian's charge.
Two quick strikes on 14 and 16 minutes by Galvao da Silva and Ignazio Varela paved the way for their victory which was sealed with two late goals by Man of the Match Oyama.
The victory and the three points were a big sigh of relief for the Greens who appeared to be struggling in their most recent encounters including their elimination from the FA Trophy.
The three points lifted them two places - from 10th to 8th. They now have 16 points, one ahead of Tarxien and two over St Andrews.
Floriana were coming from a goalless draw against St Andrews while the Rainbows suffered a very heavy 7-0 defeat at the hands of defending champions Valletta.
Floriana were the better team in the first half and certainly deserved their 2-0 lead.
They dictated play from the start and maintained their supremacy comfortably after scoring two quick goals.
On their part, Tarxien were shocked after suffering those two goals. They tried to make a comeback, but found their way blocked by a resolute Floriana defence in which Ruiz and Marcellina were in command.
In the second half, Tarxien moved forward more frequently and with much more purpose, but they still found it difficult to go past the steady Floriana defence.
Instead it was Floriana who scored twice in added time to complete their win.
Floriana took the initiative early in the match and on five minutes, Maurizio Vella went close with a fine rising shot that skimmed the crossbar.
Moments later, it was Galesic who had a shot passing across goal but finding no takers.
In the 14th minute Floriana took the lead when in a swift move, Oyama crossed perfectly for Tiago Galvao da Silva to head past Andrea Cassar.
Two minutes later, the Greens doubled their lead with a splendid goal from Ignazio Varela, who received a good pass from Oyama and his shot hit the underpart of the crossbar before finishing at the back of the net.
In the 24th minute Tarxien replied with a close range dangerous cross by Radovanovic which was intercepted by goalie Akpan.
Tarxien had another chance on 33 minutes but Ricardo Faria hit the ball weakly and Akpan could save with ease.
In the 56th minute, Paolucci received a good ball in the area, Tarxien insisted and on 64 minutes, Faria saw Akpan saving his grounder.
Floriana sealed the issue in added time with two goals from Oyama, the first of which after a bad sortie by goalie Cassar.