Greens dent champions' title hopes

Valletta 0
Floriana 0

Valletta's title ambitions were seriously dented yesterday when the champions were held to a goalless draw by a stubborn Floriana side in a tense derby.

This was an unexpected result for the Citizens who dominated the match but for all their possession they failed to break down a solid Floriana rearguard which had Sunday Eboh as the outstanding performer.

Pablo Doffo, Mauro Brincat and Orosco Anonam worked tirelessly in midfield, as well, to frustrate the more-quoted Citizens.

Valletta will be disappointed to have missed out on all three points having created a countless number of chances without managing to poke in the all-important winner. However, of more concern to them now is that they could fall six points off the pace if leaders Hibs beat Sliema tomorrow.

Valletta coach Paul Zammit recalled Sebastian Monesterolo to his starting formation as the Argentine partnered Ian Zammit in attack while Dyson Falzon started on the bench.

Tony Alamango, who took over at Floriana following the sacking of Brazilian coach Carlos Vieira, had Glenn Zammit in goal in the absence of Stefan Suessner who is out with a knee injury. Eboh was back in the fray after serving a one-match ban.

The Citizens almost struck inside the opening five minutes when Gilbert Agius picked Roderick Briffa who burst through but found Eboh in his way just before pulling the trigger.

On 10 minutes, another fine City move saw Priso Doding setting up Justin Grioli whose inswinger fell a whisker away from Monesterolo. The Argentine was at it again a minute later but this time his grounder was stopped by Zammit.

Floriana's response finally arrived on 22 minutes when Brincat tried his luck from 20 metres out. His fierce shot flew over the bar.

Monesterolo was the liveliest player in the City forward line and on 25 minutes he was at the end of another fine pass from Briffa. His ensuing shot was somehow turned to a corner by the diving Zammit.

Valletta were enjoying the better share of possession but Floriana were fighting valiantly to keep their opponents at bay. Four minutes from the interval Priso found space on the right before sending an inviting ball towards Agius who flicked just over the bar.

After the interval, coach Zammit withdrew Briffa and sent on Edmund Agius as he looked to add more steel to his midfield.

Floriana almost stunned the champions soon after the restart when Marlon Briffa beat the offside trap before squaring the ball towards Ryan Darmanin whose shot was cleared off the line by Kenneth Scicluna.

Substitute Agius almost left an instant impact as on 57 minutes he let fly a powerful drive that was pushed away in style by Zammit.

Just past the hour, Paulo Massaro replaced the nervous Ian Zammit. While Floriana looked comfortable to soak up the pressure, the Citizens were growing increasingly frustrated as they were struggling to find a breakthrough.

Luck also deserted the champions as on 65 minutes, the woodwork denied Gilbert Agius and from the rebound Massaro fired wide.

At the other end, Darmanin broke free but his effort rolled just past Andrew Hogg's upright.

Eighteen minutes from time Dimech picked Monesterolo with a delightful pass. The Argentine broke free from his marker but his drive flew just wide with Zammit beaten.

Gilbert Agius almost struck a minute from time when the Valletta skipper profited from poor control by Julian Briffa but luckily for the Greens, goalkeeper Zammit was alert to avert the danger.

The referee signalled five minutes of stoppage time but the Greens held firm to stop their rivals from edging closer to leaders Hibs.

There were some tense moments on the stands at the end of the match. A few skirmishes were also reported outside the stadium but the police intervened to restore order and separate the fans on their way out.

Valletta
A. Hogg-6, J. Grioli-5 (87 D. Falzon), K. Scicluna-6, L. Dimech-6.5, S. Bezzina-5, R. Briffa-5.5 ('46 E. Agius-6.5), J. Pace-6, P. Doding-5.5, G. Agius-6, S. Monesterolo-6.5, I. Zammit-5 ('62 P. Massaro-5).

Floriana
G. Zammit-7, D. Pisani-5, S. Eboh-8, J. Briffa-6, C. Camoin-6, O. Anonam-6.5, P. Doffo-7, M. Brincat-7 ('86 S. Bonnici), M. Briffa-6.5 ('79 J. Borg), C. Caruana-6.5 ('84 D. Zarb), R. Darmanin-6.5.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Briffa, Hogg, Caruana, Zammit, Doffo, Camoin, E. Agius.

BoV player of the match: Sunday Eboh (Floriana).