Valletta: A. Hogg, K. Scicluna, H. Backhaus, J. Mifsud (K. Magro), S. Bezzina, I. Zammit, K. Fenech (R. Forace), D. Camilleri, D. Falzon, G. Agius, S. Monesterolo

Floriana: S. Agius, M. Micallef, J. Briffa, D. Krsteski, D. Pisani, T. Cilia, C. Cassar (C. Ciantar), Z. Levniac, M. Brincat (M. Gauci), C. Caruana, A. Mifsud (Y. Bolasie)

Referee: A. Zammit Asst.refs: P. Agius, P. Apap 4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: C. Caruana (2), A. Mifsud, I. Zammit (2)

Yellow cards: I. Zammit, R. Forace, G. Agius

Player of the match: Darko Krsteski (Floriana)

TMI top three: 1. D. Krsteski 2. C. Caruana 3. I. Zammit

In their opening match of the new season, Floriana won a thrilling derby against Valletta which reached its climax late in the second half.

Played in front of a colourful crowd, with the Millenium Stand almost filled to capacity, Floriana surprised the much favoured opponents, who, after all the hype in the transfer market, were expecting a better start to this season, which promises to be a memorable one.

But Floriana’s win deserves credit for the way the side, under the guidance of new coach Danilo Doncic, showed determination, resilience in the late stages when Valletta trimmed their lead, and a high work rate throughout. Their new foreigners proved to be fundamental in yesterday’s win.

Valletta were handicapped by the absence of the injured Giglio in midfield and suffered without the presence of the suspended keeper Darmanin and defender Grima. But that is no excuse for their below par performance and some comic defending. They were caught cold with two goals from set pieces and they never recovered.

The game unfolded into a very tactical one and scoring ideas were often stifled once either side progressed past the half-way line. With Krsteski at the back and Levniac in midfield pulling the strings for Floriana, the rest of the team performed high on energy, never allowing their opponents to settle into the game. In fact Valletta looked disjointed for most of the first half as their defence toiled hard to cope with Floriana’s swift build-ups which often put Mifsud and Caruana clear.

Valletta, though, created the first opening when on the quarter hour Zammit played the ball towards the advancing Monesterolo who, seeing the keeper rushing out of his line, lobbed the ball too high and the first real chance went begging.

On the other end Mifsud’s header put Cilia clear, but he was thwarted by keeper Hogg’s block and the ball went wide.

The deadlock was broken past the half hour. Christian Caruana nipped in to connect on Krsteski’s floating free-kick from the left to steer the ball into the top of the net past the helpless Hogg.

The goal livened up the game. Valletta tried to make an imprint and twice in the space of three minutes they spurned opportunities to claim an equaliser.

Monesterolo scuffed his shot wide when he advanced unhindered on the right, instead of passing the ball towards the middle where Falzon was in good position. Then Backhaus sent a long ball to Agius, whose shot was turned into a corner by the outstretched keeper Agius.

Just before the break, Valletta’s defence almost caved in again as Adrian Mifsud ran past keeper Hogg but Josef Mifsud managed to clear the ball into a corner.

Valletta effected a much needed change at halftime. Forace substituted Fenech, taking the left back position as Josef Mifsud moved in central defence and Backhaus advanced in midfield.

But Floriana scored their second on 52 minutes. Krsteski drilled a free-kick from the edge of the area which keeper Hogg palmed out but Adrian Mifsud was quick to pounce on the loose ball and score.

That proved a big blow for Valletta who needed some individual flair or some luck to turn the tide. Efforts by Gilbert Agius and Camilleri were not enough to break their psychological block until ten minutes from time, when Ian Zammit’s strike beat keeper Agius to reduce the deficit.

Floriana, who had put in striker Yala Bolasie for his Premier League debut on 68 minutes, tried to exploit Valletta’s gaps at the back as Valletta turned up the pressure. Monesterolo’s shot was saved by Agius. Floriana survived the onslaught and even found the time to rub salt into Valletta’s wound with a third goal in added time, scored by Christian Caruana, who lobbed the ball over the keeper when put clear by Bolasie.

But the excitement was not over as Valletta replied with another goal by Ian Zammit. But that proved too little too late to salvage at least a point for the Citizens.