Floriana 3
Plut 42, 46; Pisani 57;
Żebbuġ Rangers 3
Mamic 23, Monti 60 pen, Britto 87;
Substitute Mauricio Britto came to Żebbuġ’s rescue as the Brazilian striker hit a late equaliser to hand the Premier League newcomers a point after a 3-3 draw with Floriana yesterday.
It was a thrilling outcome to a match which saw Jesmond Zammit’s team fighting back from 3-1 down and gaining a point for a second successive week after they had managed that feat against Tarxien last week.
Floriana will feel aggrieved by the final outcome as they dictated matters for long spells and played the better football but Żebbuġ deserve credit for their fighting attitude.
Bojan Mamic’s opener went some way towards injecting Żebbuġ with renewed self-belief.
When Floriana piled up the pressure early in the second half, the Rangers teetered only to summon the energy to hit back and punish their opponents’ defensive failings with Britto capping their fightback with a late goal.
Giovanni Tedesco’s starting XI showed three changes from the 3-1 win over Pietà Hotspurs.
Matteo Piciollo returned to the Greens’ formation after netting a brace against the Hotspurs. Gary Muir filled in at the right flank as Emanuel Briffa partnered Clyde Borg in midfield in a 4-1-3-2 set-up.
Żebbuġ’s formation featured four changes from their match against Tarxien.
Thomas Paris, John Nwoba, Clifford Gauci and Ratko Mandic were restored to the line up by Zammit who deployed Mamic in the centre of attack with Nwoba and Mattias Muchardi operating from behind.
The first notable chance came Floriana’s way after five minutes.
Muir directed a pass towards Vito Plut down the right channel. The Slovenian turned well to shoot behind Jeffrey Farrugia, the Żebbuġ goalkeeper, but Yessous Camilleri was on hand to clear off the line.
The early stages were generally balanced but Mamic stole the attention on 24 minutes when the striker headed home from Carlo Monti’s free-kick.
Zammit’s men suddenly worked up a head of steam. Floriana were relying on their attacking duo of Plut and Piciollo to create openings. That was in evidence when, on the verge of half-time, Brooke Farrugia headed the ball inside the box to release Plut who placed the ball behind Farrugia.
A few moments later, Żebbuġ would have taken the lead but for a crucial intervention from Valerio Senatore whose top-drawer save to turn Muchardi’s free-kick over the bar was met by a loud cheers from the Floriana supporters.
It was the Greens who grabbed the second goal early in the second half. Emerson Marcelina set up Brooke Farrugia who darted into the box before flicking the ball towards Plut who stabbed home.
On 57 minutes, Floriana doubled their advantage. And what a goal it was. Marcelina started the move from midfield, floating the ball to substitute Steve Pisani who eluded the defence with great footwork before hitting past Farrugia.
Żebbuġ looked down and out but Nwoba was hauled down by Pisani inside the box before Monti sent Senatore the wrong way.
The Rangers’ sudden improvement almost reaped instant dividends as, on 76 minutes, a flowing move saw Clifford Gauci switch the ball to Mandic and the latter’s measured cross was headed just off target by substitute Britto.
Żebbuġ gained a deserved equaliser on 87 minutes when Britto beat Senatore with a rasping shot.
Floriana
V. Senatore-6, A. Scicluna-5.5, E. Marcelina-7.5, C. Borg-5 (46 S. Pisani-6), V. Plut-7 (66 A. Samb-4), M. Piciollo-6, E. Briffa-6, B. Farrugia-6.5 (71 J. Borg), G. Muir-6, S. Borg-5.5, S. Bonnici-5.5.
Żebbuġ Rangers
J. Farrugia-6, T. Paris-5.5 (79 M. Ciantar), M. Gauci-5.5 (85 L.Agius), R. Mandic-6.5, Y. Camilleri-6, J. Diaz-6, M. Muchardi-6, J. Nwoba-6, C. Monti-6.5, C. Gauci-6, B. Mamic-6 (63 M. Britto-7).
Referee: Andrè Arciola.
Yellow cards: Diaz, Pisani, S. Borg, Samb, Piciollo.
BOV player of the match: Emerson Marcelina (Floriana).