Floriana-Rabat A. 3-2
Floriana: D. Hanford, G. Muir, A. Scicluna, I. Edet, D. Baldacchino, C. Borg, J. Borg, D. Pinheiro (G. Favero), C. Caruana (B. Farrugia), I. Coronado, S. Pisani
Rabat A: J. Azzopardi, S. Gauci, Z. Tanti (M. Licari), J. Caruana, D. Falzon, C. Gauci, D. Pendas, D. Pelaez, M. Avila Perez, R. Micallef, D. Azzopardi
Referee: C. Lautier
Asst.refs: P. Apap, J. Spiteri
Addiotinal asst.refs: C. Pisani, M. Spiteri
4th official: M. Borg
Scorers: I. Coronado 29, 50, R. Micallef 81, D. Pelaez 87 pen, G. Muir 90+pen
Yellow cards: R. Micallef, D. Falzon, C. Caruana, B. Farrugia, M. Avila Perez
Red card: I. Edet
Player of the match: I. Coronado (Floriana)
TMI top three: 1. C. Borg 2. C. Caruana 3. J. Azzopardi
A Gary Muir soft penalty in added time gave Floriana a narrow and dramatic win over bottom place Rabat Ajax to spare his side’s blushes, as the Greens surrendered a two-goal lead in the final ten minutes, after dominating the match for almost a whole hour.
Floriana produced a display of contrasts, excelling in the first half and faltering in the second. Before the match was an hour old, they had built a two-goal advantage through Igor Coronado, again capitalising on Rabat’s vulnerable defence. But their laid back approach, allowed Rabat to rally and score twice in the late stages, almost robbing them of a sure win.
Rabat may feel justly aggrieved that they went home empty handed, after their remarkable six-minute comeback that saw them erase Floriana’s two-goal lead. But with added time on the clock, they conceded a penalty that doomed them to another defeat and reminded them how precarious their Premier League survival remains.
The Magpies made some changes from the side that went down to Hibernians in the previous match. While both Dylan Falzon and David Azzopradi were back from suspension, Jospeh Caruana replaced the suspended central defender Ivan Carapic. Zach Tanti was again given a start as left back as David Azzopardi played in a advanced role on the same flank to provide double cover against the forays of Igor Coronado and the overlaps of Gary Muir. And with keeper Velimirovic still injured, Rabat yetserday fielded only three foreigners. Avila Perez played in a retreated role in midfield with Ryan Micallef left to plough a lone furrow up front.
Floriana, in a better vein of good form than their opponents, gave a start to Steve Pisani, with Luca Casha relegated to the bench. They pinned Rabat inside their own half and carved enough chances to be in front within the first quarter hour, with Pisani going close with his header and Pinheiro shooting Edet’s headed pass over.
On 14 minutes, Floriana’s call for a blatant penalty was turned down by the referee as the Rabat defender Shawn Gauci blocked the ball with his arm as he fell to the ground after Pisani had gone through inside the Rabat area from the left.
On 20 minutes, from a Christian Caruana corner from the left, the ball fell to Pinheiro, whose close range left foot shot was held out by the Rabat keeper Jonathan Azzopardi.
Floriana’s goal was inevitable and that came towards the half hour. Pisani’s low drive, on Caruana’s pass, was blocked by the Rabat keeper but the loose ball rolled to the unmolested Igor Coronado who had the time to control it and hit in from close range.
Floriana remained in control for the rest of the first half. Past the half hour the Rabat keeper rushed off his line to clear off Coronado, the ball rebounded towards goal but Falzon cleared. On a Joseph Borg throw-in, keeper Azzopardi stretched himself to hold out Edet’s looping header.
Floriana opened the second half again in lively fashion. Christian Caruana cut the ball back from the byeline to Pisani who shot straight on the Rabat keeper.
On 50 minutes, Floriana were gifted with a second goal as Rabat defender Joseph Caruana fell as he tried to clear Pisani’s harmless low cross, paving the way for the unmarked Igor Coronado to beat the helpless keeper Azzopardi.
Floriana looked cruising to a comfortable win and eased down, at least psycologically. Before the hour, they even substituted one of their best players on the pitch, Christaian Caruana, allowing Rabat to pull themselves back into the game.
There were already signs of Rabat’s revival when Floriana’s keeper Hanford rushed off his line to block the advancing Pendas and past the hour, Pendas failed to finish off, putting his shot off target after pouncing on a Pelaez intelligent pass.
Malcolm Licari went in for Tanti for Rabat and on 74 minutes Pisani hit horrendously wide on Coronado’s pass. Pinheiro could have scored Floriana’s third on 80 minutes, after a good run down the left by Coronado, but was thwarted by Azzopardi.
The goal immediately came from Rabat on the other end. Ryan Micallef chased a Clifford Gauci through ball and buried it low past keeper Hanford’s reach.
Rabat were galvanised and pressed hard for another goal but not before going through a fright. Pinheiro’s overhead kick from the left hit Falzon but keeper Azzopardi avoided an own goal, tipping the ball over the bar.
With three minute remaining, Rabat won a penalty. Pendas was bundled by Edet inside the area and the Floriana defender was also sent off as Daniel Pelaez stepped up to beat Hanford and draw level.
To their credit, Floriana summoned enough effort to win a soft penalty themselves in added time, as Pisani fell like a crumbling biscuit when pushed by Avila Perez. Gary Muir tucked it away to secure the points for Floriana.
The match could have had a different twist though were it not for Avila Perez’ profligacy on 93 minutes. With the ball at his feet, and only the Floriana keeper to beat, he contrived to hit wide and Rabat’s glaring opportunity went to waste.