Hibernians-Floriana 2-2
Hibernians: M. Muscat, M. Tabone, J. Pearson (O. Obiefule), J. Lima, R. Soares, M. Dias (M. Bartolo), A. Cohen, B. Kristensen, C. Failla, Z. Levnaic, J.P. Farrugia
Floriana:D. Hanford, I. Edet, S. Pisani, G. Roberts, C. Caruana, I. Coronado, C. Borg, J. Borg, B. Farrugia (L. Casha), G. Muir, S. Borg
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, J. Spiteri
4th official: F. Zammit
Scorers: S. Pisani 20, R. Soares 24, C. Failla 28, I. Coronado 76
Yellow cards: B. Farrugia, Z. Levnaic, G.Roberts, I. Edet, C. Failla, I. Coronado
Player of the match: I. Coronado (Floriana)
TMI top three: 1. I. Coronado 2. C. Failla 3. C. Borg
Attendance: 941
A second consecutive draw for Hibernians, saw their lead at the top now trimmed only to two points over nearest challengers Valletta, after settling for a 2-2 draw against in-form Floriana yesterday.
This was always going to be a tricky fixture for the leaders, who could not afford to drop points after wins by Valletta, Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers at the weekend.
Floriana however again showed resilience, good organisation and played with purpose to extend their unbeaten run to three matches. Floriana have lost only one of their last six league matches as they go on the sex-point mark.
This was the right setting for Igor Coronado to show his brilliance, even if he was threatened to be eclipsed by the likes of Andrew Cohen, Jackson Lima, Clayton Failla or Marcelo Dias.
Coronado provided the assist for Floriana’s opener and he himself scored his side’s equaliser.
Hibernians were bereft of their main striker Luis Edison, who was suspended for this match, as Zoran Levnaic was returning after missing the match against Sliema Wanderers. Defender Ryan Camilleri was again absent and Matthew Tabone played as right back instead of Matthew Bartolo. Jean Paul Farrugia was included in attack.
Floriana crowded their midfield, with five men in front of their back flat four. Igor Coronado and Christian Caruana took in turns to support Steve Pisani in the Greens’ attack.
The Paolites’ high pressing game was keeping Floriana well subdued but their three-men backline also exposed them to some Floriana counters.
Floriana had started brightly then faded as Hibernians, all power through the centre and trickery on the flanks, seemed to take a grip of the contest, driving the Greens back into massed defence.
That characterised the pattern of a flowing, entertaining match in the first 45 minutes, which produced three goals.
Floriana made the breakthrough, however, after 20 minutes. Coronado played a long ball for Steve Pisani to chase in open space and beat keeper Muscat.
The goal demanded an immediate response from Hibernians who restored equilibrium only four minutes later from a dead ball situation. Failla took a sailing free kick and Rodolfo Soares elevated himself to head past keeper Hanford. And on 28 minutes, the Paolites also took the lead.
Jean Paul Farrugia went down the left and past Muir, crossed low for the unmarked Clayton Failla to score with a rising shot.
Hibernians ended the first half firmly in command but the second provided far less excitement as the teams were unable to maintain the same momentum. Neither keeper had to be in attendance as Coronado put his free kick off target and Hibernians failed to severely test Daniel Hanford.
Cohen and Farrugia scuttled into dangerous territory, but their energy did not yield clear sights at goal and Floriana, as they had proved in the previous match against Mosta, are happiest springing on the break.
With Hibernians unable to add to their lead, Floriana found the opportunity to clinch an equaliser on 78 minutes. Their best player, Igor Coronado, persisted on the left, beat Tabone and evaded Soares’ challenge before slotting the bal past keeper Muscat from a tight angle.
Hibernians tried to summon some more effort. Lima drilled a long range shot but keeper Hanford was equal to task and saved and Cohen’s driver on Obiefule’s cross could not beat teh Floriana shot stopper.
In the dying minutes, keeper Muscat rushed off his line to thwart substitute Casha as he made his way towards goal.
In the final analysis, a draw was the right result.