Qormi 2
Effiong 14; Avila Perez 40 pen;
Floriana 4
Coronado 52; Pisani 64, 85; C. Borg 73;
This has been a turbulent season for Floriana but they deserve credit for the way they have turned around their fortunes in the last two months.
In the short time he’s been at the helm of Floriana, English coach Iain Brunskill has galvanised his troops and his positive impact was there for all to see as the Greens turned in a vibrant performance, coming back from two goals down to overpower a timid Qormi side 4-2.
Igor Coronado again played a leading role in his side’s win. Brushing off the disappointment of an early penalty miss, Coronado tormented Qormi throughout, capping an electric showing with a brilliant goal that sparked the Greens’ second-half fightback.
Another key player for Floriana was Steve Pisani whose brace went some way towards helping the Greens record a deserved victory that all but secures their top-flight status as the Greens are 13 points clear of the second-from-bottom Ħamrun with five games remaining.
Brunskill was forced into a last-minute change after midfielder Brooke Farrugia pulled out after feeling sick during the warm-up. His place was taken by Joseph Borg.
Qormi were missing defender Kris Thackray, currently having a trial in the United States, and winger Leighton Grech, both suspended.
Floriana threatened to open the scoring after just two minutes. Pisani surged through on the right before delivering across into the six-yard box where Coronado’s header smacked against the crossbar.
Qormi’s troubles to cope with the slick movement of the in-form Coronado were evident on seven minutes when Jonathan Bondin’s late charge sent the Brazilian sprawling inside the penalty area.
Referee Trustin Farrugia Cann pointed to the spot but Coronado’s effort was pushed away by Matthew Farrugia, the Qormi goalkeeper. The loose ball rolled towards Pisani whose angled grounder hit the foot of the far post.
Pisani was the attacking pivot in Floriana’s 4-2-3-1 formation with Coronado given licence to interchange with the Malta U-21 forward.
Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa stuck with 4-2-3-1 and two of his forwards, Moises Avila Perez and Alfred Effiong combined to give their team a 14th minute lead. Making headway on the left, Avila Perez put in a good cross and Effiong headed home at the near post.
Having been the brighter side early on, Floriana took a while to regain their focus. Coronado was prominent on 21 minutes with an angled drive that sailed wide.
Floriana pushed on, Clyde Borg had a dangerous shot blocked by the Qormi defence.
Once again, Floriana paid dearly for their scoring failures as, in their next raid, Qormi won a penalty. Sacha Borg, under pressure from Effiong, stopped the ball with his hands. Avila Perez converted from the spot to put Qormi 2-0 ahead.
Floriana should have narrowed the deficit on the stroke of time when Cilia’s cross fell to Pisani whose close-range attempt was kept out by Farrugia and, from the rebound, Owen Bugeja’s effort was also blocked.
Early in the second half, Cilia cut in from the left but his rising shot was high.
Floriana managed to reduce the arrears seven minutes into the second half thanks to Coronado whose sizzling drive from the distance ripped past the diving Farrugia.
Coronado’s show continued. Eleven minutes into the second half, the Brazilian drifted infield from the left but his shot flashed just wide.
Floriana drew level on 64 minutes when Pisani, racing onto Clyde Borg’s floated pass, got behind the dithering Qormi defenders and slotted past Farrugia.
Qormi were reduced to ten men on 70 minutes as Sciberras was dismissed after earning a second booking for a late challenge on Coronado.
The Greens forged ahead 17 minutes from time when Pisani, who may have been in an offside position when he received the ball, defended possession before laying the ball back to Clyde Borg who rifled past Farrugia.
It was all Floriana now, Pisani hitting fractionally wide.
In a rare attack, Avila Perez drove wide but five minutes from time, Floriana sealed their win when Coronado slipped a perfect through-ball to Pisani who stormed forward before prodding past Farrugia.
Qormi
M. Farrugia-5, R. Sammut-4, A. Effiong-5, J. Chetcuti-4, M. Avila Perez-4, L. Sciberras, M. Gauci-5 (78 M. Bartolo), E. Bilbao Zarate-4, D. Pisani-5 (67 A. Cassar-4), J. Bondin-4, C. Cassar-6 (61 S. Zammit-4).
Floriana
T. Warner-5, S. Borg-5.5, O. Bugeja-6.5, G. Roberts-6.5, K. Farrugia-6.5, U. Nwoko-6 (56 M. Spiteri-5.5), T. Cilia-7 (88 L.Casha), C. Borg-8, J. Borg-6.5, S. Pisani-8, I. Coronado-8.5 (90 I. Galea).
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Missed penalty: Coronado (F) 8.
Yellow cards: Nwoko; Sciberras; S. Borg.
Red card: Sciberras (Q) 70.
BOV player of the match: Steve Pisani (Floriana).