Floriana 3
Wasiu 13, 36; Coronado 48;
Balzan 1
Caruana 84;

For much of the first round, Floriana played more like relegation candidates than Championship Pool contenders but in the past five weeks, the Greens have improved beyond recognition.

Taking over the Floriana hotseat only two days before their first-round derby against Valletta, coach Stephen Azzopardi en-dured a difficult start amid the uncertainty caused by the seemingly endless incoming and outgoing player activity at the club but the former Qormi mentor weathered the storm and is now steering his team into calmer waters.

A comprehensive 3-1 win over a Balzan team coming from eight positive results on the trot, not only maintained Floriana’s own revival but, more significantly, strengthened their top-six push as they have joined their vanquished opponents on the 19-point mark.

It was not only the three points that will have raised the optimism of Floriana but their assured performance as they outfought and out-thought a lethargic Balzan side to the point that, with only three minutes of the second half played, Sunday Wasiu, back in favour after resolving his contract differences with the club, and Igor Coroando had already propelled Azzopardi’s team into a 3-0 lead.

With Ryan Darmanin injured, Azzopardi started with Wasiu as the attacking spearhead of a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mark Spiteri and Coronado on the wings.

The inclusion of Wasiu meant that Azzopardi had to drop one of the four foreign players who began the 2-0 defeat of Melita in the FA Trophy.

Making way was Brazilian Henrique Celestino who was replaced by Tyrone Farrugia in defence.

Balzan were buoyed by the return of Pedrinho who missed the FA Trophy win over Naxxar after flying to Brazil to visit his sick father.

Ivan Zammit, the Balzan coach, didn’t restrict himself to one change as Renie Forace, Dylan Grima and Jacob Domenico Borg were drafted into the first team.

Zammit’s tactical gameplan was unchanged as Pedrinho was given roaming duties alongside chief forward Elton in a 3-5-2 formation.

Floriana received an early boost as they took the lead on 13 minutes.

Balzan goalkeeper Fredrick Tabone fumbled Duncan Pisani’s cross as the ball dropped at the feet on the unmarked Wasiu via the upright. His first shot was repelled by Matthew Mendy but the Englishman’s second attempt flew into the net.

It was not before the 24th minute that Balzan created a noteworthy chance. Borg’s right-wing cross was met by Grima but his volley was off target.

Yet, Floriana remained the more purposeful side, exploiting the pace of their wingers to break forward.

Another spell of pressure by the Greens culminated in a second goal on 36 minutes. It was Wasiu who punished more hesitant defending by Balzan, heading home from Coronado’s corner.

Unimpressed with his team’s first-half showing, Zammit introduced Bjorn Bondin and Christian Caruana (yesterday facing his former team-mates) for Stefan Giglio and Jamie Pace respectively but Balzan’s evening took a turn for the worse three minutes into the second half.

Tabone was at fault as he dropped Coronado’s free-kick, the ball spinning off the Balzan goalkeeper’s gloves before bouncing into the net.

Three goals down, Zammit effected his third and final substitution, throwing on forward Licari for Borg. Floriana coach Azzopardi countered by introducing defensive midfielder Thomas Paris for Trevor Cilia.

Floriana stayed in control. Coronado made a surging run into the Balzan box but his final effort was blocked.

The soft manner of Floriana’s third goal shattered Balzan who were unable to make a reaction.

The cushion advantage also prompted Azzopardi to withdraw his wingers, Coronado and Spiteri, in favour of two more robust midfielders in Valdo Alhinho and Brooke Farrugia.

After going wide with a low effort, Elton orchestrated Balzan’s consolation goal six minutes from time.

The Brazilian embarked on a diagonal run from the left before slipping a through-ball to Caruana who slotted home from close in.

Floriana
T. Warner-6, K. Farrugia-6, T. Cilia-6 (63 T. Paris-6), A. Verma-6.5, I. Coronado-7.5 (75 V. Alhinho), S. Wasiu-7.5, M. Spiteri-6.5 (77 B. Farrugia), D. Pisani-6.5, T. Farrugia-6.5, C. Borg-6, S. Borg-7.

Balzan
F. Tabone-4, J. Borg-5 (62 M. Licari-5), M. Mendy-6, S. Giglio-4 (46 B. Bondin-5), Y. Camilleri-5.5, R. Forace-4, J. Pace-4 (46 C. Caruana-6), D. Grima-5, R. Conceicao-4, Pedrinho-4, Elton-6.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow cards: Pedrinho; C. Borg; Verma; Camilleri.

BOV Player of the match: Sunday Wasiu (Floriana).

Standings