Floriana 3
Sirens 0
Floriana
I. Apkan
E. Ruiz
D. Venancio (C. Borg 81)
K. Keqi (J. Busuttil 85)
U. Arias
S. D'Agostino (B. Paiber 86)
J. Pisani
M. Garcia
A. Cini
R. Camenzuli
T. Fonseca
Sirens
D. Cassar
R. Grech (L. Sciberras 74)
W. De Oliveira (E. Herrera 68)
R. Dos Anjos
E. Okoye
R. Silva Faria
A. Borg
A. Abdullahi
R. Romau
T. Espindola
F. Cheveresan
Referee: M. Degabriele
Asst . refs: J. Spiteri, D. Stankovic
4th official: M. Spiteri
Scorers: K. Keqi 46, 50 pen., 68,
Yellow cards: E. Okoye 31, R. Grech 49,
BOV Player of the match: K. Keqi
TMI Top 3: 1. K. Keqi, 2. S. D'Agostino, 3. F. Cheveresan.
Attendance: 679
Italian striker Kristian Keqi scored a hat-trick for Floriana in the second half to lead his side to an important win over third placed Sirens.
The victory enabled the Greens to gain sole leadership of the standings, ahead of today's Valletta-Gudja clash where the citizens could join Floriana again on top if they win. At present, Floriana have 41 points and Valletta 38. Sirens remain third on 35 points, one ahead of Hibernians who can overtake the St Paul's Bay side this afternoon if they beat Hamrun.
The match never appeared heading that way in the first half as Sirens offered strong opposition, but when the Greens took the lead early in the second half and then added another soon after, it was all over.
In an entertaining first half, Floriana held the initiative and created a lot more than Sirens, but the St Paul's Bay side defended well.
They were inspired by goalkeeper David Cassar who was impeccable between their posts, effecting at least two good saves to keep the Greens at bay.
Floriana dominated midfield, but could not afford to ignore the Sirens threat. In fact, Steve D'Amato's side, despite having a smaller slice of ball possession, also created some scoring chances which were, however, handled quite well by the Floriana defence.
The first action arrived on the 5th minute when Jurgen Pisani set Kristian Keqi on the edge of the area; the latter dribbled round a defender before hitting a rising shot that just missed the target.
Sirens replied on 10 minutes through a Thiago Espindola shot from the edge of the area that went wide.
Two minutes later, at the other end, a long throw in from Alex Cini was missed by friend and foe. Keqi anticipated goalie David Cassar, but his effort hit the upright as Sirens breathed with relief.
On 18 minutes Matias Garcia received from Fonseca but his shot was easy prey for goalie Cassar.
In the 24th minute, Floriana again went close when Keqi's cross from the left went to Stefano D'Agostino but the latter's shot was turned to corner in style by Cassar.
In the 28th minute, Sirens replied through an Espindola freekick which ended not far away from the far upright. Soon after, Floriana threatened through a D'Agostino effort which was deviated to corner by a Sirens defender.
In the 40th minute, goalie Cassar was at his best as he dived sideways to turn to corner a Fonseca header off a Keqi cross.
In first half added time, Okoye set Flavio Cheveresan in the Greens area, but Akpan became Floriana's saviour as he managed to anticipate the Sirens striker in time.
At the other end, it was D'Agostino who again tested goalie Cassar, but the latter again thwarted the Floriana striker, punching the ball away.
Floriana took the lead in the first minute of the second half. It was a melee in front of the Sirens goal starting with a Garcia header saved by the goalkeeper. The ball went out to D'Agostino whose header was cleared off the line by a defender, but there was Keqi who fired the ball home from close in.
Soon after it was 2-0 as Floriana were awarded a penalty after Ryan Grech floored Keqi in the area. From the spot kick, the same Keqi made no mistake.
The score became 3-0 in the 68th minute when from a D'Agostino cross it was again Keqi who headed past a helpless Cassar.