Floriana 0
Gzira Utd. 0
Floriana : I. Akpan, E. Ruiz, D. Venancio, K. Keqi (C. Borg 87'), J. Arias Ulises, B. Paiber (J. Busuttil 72'), J. Pisani, M. Garcia, A. Caseres (T. Fonseca 59'), A. Cini, R. Camenzuli
Gzira Utd. : J. Haber, F. Barbosa Pereira, G. Conti, N. Muscat, Z. Scerri, R. Soares, C. Gatt Baldacchino (C. Sammut 83'), H. Kone (A. Cohen 74'), A. Oyama, M. Davis, J. De Assis
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Asst refs: Luke Portelli, Duncan Sultana
4th official: Stefan Pace
Yellow Cards: Jefferson, Garcia, Scerri
Red Cards: Garcia (Floriana), Scerri (Gzira Utd.)
BOV Player of the Match: Diego Venancio (Floriana)
TMI Top 3 : 1. D. Venancio 2. A. Caseres 3. J. Haber
A tactical match ended in a goaless draw with Floriana missing out on taking sole leadership whereas Gzira United are still without a win following a fourth consecutive draw. Much was expected from both teams in a match which never lived up to expectations.
The Greens are one of the early pace setters after defeating Birkirkara and Balzan and being held by arch rivals Valletta in a 1-1 draw in their last outing, with the latter getting the equalizer in the fifth minute of added time.
On the other hand the Maroons had a rather bumpy start and failed to impress scoring their first goal only last week. They were held in three draws by Hamrun Spartans, Santa Lucia and Sliema Wanderers. In fact much was expected from them even considering their good showings early on during their participation in the European competitions.
This match was thus contested between two teams with great ambitions to finish amongst the front runners and possibly gain some silverware come next May.
The first minutes were restricted to the midfield sector with both teams adopting a cautious approach. In fact it was only on 23 minutes when the first goal mouth action was recorded with Matias Garcia trying with a shot from a distance which ended wide.
Gzira responded a few minutes later but Akpan was on the alert to save on Scerri. And on 28 minutes Kristian Keqi saw his shot sail just over the bar.
On the change of ends Floriana tested their ex-goalkeeper Justin Haber through Rene Augusto Caseres which was well saved by the Gzira custodian. And just off the hour Haber was once again in the thick of action saving a well taken free kick by Diego Venancio.
The Maroons replied through a headed effort by Conti which ended just off the mark. On 67 minutes Gzira went near once again this time through Hamed Kone only for his shot ending over the bar.
Gzira thought that they had forged ahead when they found the net through Jefferson but the goal was annulled for a foul by the same player. Twelve minutes from the end free kick expert Diego Venancio had his shot from a set piece end inches wide.
In the final minutes of the match both teams were reduced to ten man. First it was Matias Garcia who was given the marching orders by referee Alan Mario Sant and Zack Scerri followed . Although both teams tried to find a way past the opposing rearguard the final whistle found both teams taking a point each from a goaless draw.