City turn tables on Greens

Valletta 2
Fenech 76; E. Agius 80;
Floriana 1
J. Borg 54;

An encounter between Valletta and Floriana heightened expectations of an explosive start to the season.

The fixture marked the start of the 2011 Euro Cup, a warm-up tournament aimed at aiding the preparations of Malta’s three teams in the UEFA competitions, but there is no such thing as a friendly kickabout when these two teams clash.

This was in ample evidence yesterday as the derby rivals made light of the heat and lack of match fitness to serve up a keenly-contested encounter which produced three goals and several bookings.

Valletta were keen to ease the frustration caused by their 1-0 defeat to the Greens in last month’s FA Trophy final but their chances looked to have suffered a blow when Floriana seized the lead early in the second half. However, the champions battled back to turn the tide in their favour with two late goals.

Floriana must now overcome Birkirkara on Monday to revive their hopes of winning the tournament.

The incidents that marred the Trophy final induced the authorities to adopt extra security measures at Corradino. There were checkpoints in the roads leading to the stadium as the police went to great lengths to keep the fans apart.

Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa named new signing Ousseni Zongo and Brazilian trialist William Barbosa da Silva in his starting line-up.

With Jonathan Caruana and Ramon injured, Zerafa deployed Ian Azzopardi in the centre of defence alongside Steve Borg with Dyson Falzon filling at left-back. Captain Gilbert Agius started on the bench while Jamie Pace and Terrence Scerri were suspended.

The three players who joined Floriana for a trial earlier this week were given the chance to press their claims for a permanent contract as all were included in the starting formation.

Italian striker Salvatore Amirante started up front, French winger L’Imam Seydi was deployed on the left and Englishman John Hardicker partnered Owen Bugeja in defence.

Ivan Woods was on the bench for Floriana who had striker Ryan Darmanin back in their fold after a short-term loan spell with Marsa-xlokk.

The early exchanges were devoid of creative football as both sets of players looked rusty, not surprising given that this was their first pre-season outing.

Roderick Briffa went close for Valletta but his grounder was just off target.

A flowing City move unhinged Floriana as Barbosa laid the ball to Denni who released the advancing Briffa. The left-back ran into the box before hitting a shot across Matthew Towns’s goal but much to Floriana’s relief, the ball went wide.

Floriana responded quickly.

Latching on to a long ball, Amirante, who last played for TSV Germania Windeck, held off Borg but fired over from the edge of the box.

Valletta increased their pressure in the closing stages of the first half.

Briffa did well to pick out Zongo in the box but the former Msida winger hit wide.

The second half was only eight minutes old when Floriana surged ahead. Micallef’s free-kick soared into the City box and from the ensuing melee Joseph Borg headed the ball past keeper Andrew Hogg to send the Greens into raptures.

Stung into action by Floriana’s opener, Valletta almost drew level when Ryan Fenech’s cross was met by Denni but his header was too weak to trouble Towns.

Gilbert Agius came on for Sammut on the hour and, four minutes later, Ian Zammit replaced the ineffective Zongo.

Zammit almost made an instant impact as he burst through the Floriana defence to reach Barbosa’s pass but drove his effort wide.

Barbosa then miscued his header from Denni’s cross.

Valletta surged forward in search of an equaliser. However, in a rare attack, Floriana nearly doubled their lead but Clyde Borg’s screamer from the distance was palmed away by the alert Hogg.

Hogg’s intervention gained added significance as, minutes later, Valletta levelled. They were awarded a foul inside the D after Denni, the Citizens’ best player, was felled by Tyrone Farrugia. Fenech curled his free-kick past the wall and beyond Towns’s reach.

Valletta went for the kill and their efforts produced a second goal thanks to Edmond Agius who prodded past Towns from close range.

In the latter stages, Floriana’s Bugeja blasted wide after receiving from Caruana.

Gilbert Agius was wide with a free-kick and Caruana’s corner flew tantalisingly across the face of City’s goal but found no takers.

Valletta: A. Hogg, S. Borg, I. Azzopardi, R. Briffa, E. Agius, R. Fenech, K. Sammut (60 G. Agius), D. Falzon, Denni (90 C. Frendo), O. Zongo (64 I. Zammit), William Barbosa.

Floriana: M. Towns, M. Micallef, D. Pisani, J. Hardicker, O. Bugeja, T. Farrugia, C. Borg, J. Borg (77 M. Grioli), C. Caruana, I. Seydi, S. Amirante (73 R. Darmanin).

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Azzopardi; Hardicker; Caruana; Micallef; Fenech; E. Agius; Farrugia; Zammit; Pisani.

Attendance: 1,400.

Next fixture

Monday Hibs Stadium 7.30 p.m. Floriana vs Birkirkara.