Floriana: M. Camilleri, K. Formosa (MA Psaila), M. Caruana, M. Gauci (M.
Brincat), C. Cassar, R. Newell, J. Briffa, I. Azzopardi, M. Micallef, D.
Pisani, A. Mifsud.
Msida SJ: O. Borg, P. Scriha, S. Grima (O. Zongo), T. Farrugia, J. MIfsud,
P. Fenech, D. Cachia (L. Micallef), P. Pullicino, A. Farrugia (A. Spiteri),
D. Nwoke, R. Baldacchino.
Referee: C. Lautier, Asst. refs: J. Rapa, I. Spiteri, 4th official: A. M. Sant
Scorers: A. Mifsud, R. Baldacchino
Yellow cards: T. Farrugia, A. Mifsud, I. Azzopardi, O. Zongo, M. Brincat,
A. Farrugia, P. Pullicino,
Red cards: M. Micallef
Player of the match: Adrian Farrugia (Msida SJ)
TMI top three: 1. A. Farrugia, 2. M. Camilleri, 3. P. Pullicino
Ten-man Floriana withstood the second pressure by second placed Msida to
earn a deserved equaliser in an ill-tempered match. The Greens had to play for more than half of the match without Manolito Micallef who head butted an opponent and was sent off. However the Greens immediately took the lead and for Msida there were no other options left other than to attack for theequaliser.
Msida’s best ideas came in the second half with the introduction of Zongo, who gave a new lease of life to the Msida attack. Peter Pullicino and especially Adrian Farrugia were the best fro Msida who failed to capitalise on Marsaxlokk’s drawn result against lowly St. George’s. Farrugia was very effective on the right flank and the equaliser came from one of his initiatives.
The Greens had an exceptional match especially in defence, with goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri making some daring saves to save his side. Ian Azzopardi had a five star performance in the heart of the Greens’ defence.
Both teams had several key players missing. Msida were without two of the three Nigerians, namely Ibrahim Babatunde and Ousseni Zongo Floriana were without Christian Caruana, Trevor Cilia, Wendell Gomes and Riad Gangortsa.
The match had a very quite start with Nwoke heading over the bar a good Adrian Farrugia cross from the right. The match came to life on 14 minutes when the Msida goalkeeper Omar Borg punched away a Kurt Formosa scorcher. From the resultant corner, Ian Azzopardi’s header sailed over the bar.
On 24 minutes Floriana¹s Matthew Camilleri denied Msida when he dived
sideways to save a glorious header by Nwoke who was well served by Adrian Farrugia. Floriana went close again with another Ian Azzopardi header.
On 32 minutes Floriana had their best chance when Mark Gauci floated a good cross towards Adrian Mifsud whose first timer wnet inches wide. The sparked off in the 38th minute when Manolito Micallef was sent off for a Zidane style head butt, after he was fouled by Farrugia. But from the resultant freekick taken by Christian Cassar was met perfectly by Adrian Mifsud who headed home.
Msida’s best chance of getting the equaliser came minutes later when Rodrick
Baldacchino received a long ball from defence but his lob was well saved by Matthew Camilleri.
For the second half, coach Patrick Curmi introduced Ousseni Zongo for Stefano Grima, with the Msida attack looking more menacing than in the first 45 minutes.
In fact Msida’s first danger of the second half was created by Zongo whose shot was blocked by Matthew Camilleri.
On 57 minutes Msida obtained the equaliser when Adrian Farrugia did all the running on the right flank and passed to Rodrick Baldacchino who scored from close range. Floriana hit back with a Mark Gauci effort blocked by Omar Borg.
On 65 minutes Ryan Newell miskicked the ball and Nwoke came face to face with Camilleri but the Floriana custodian blocked the Msida striker’s effort.
The match tired out in the last 15 minutes with both sets happy with the score.