Ryan Micallef (right) scored Qormi’s third goal in the 4-2 win over Floriana. Photo: Alan Carville

Qormi 4
Anderson 20; Pisani 22; Micallef 64; Effiong 86;
Floriana 2
I. Galea 47; Plut 66;

Two quick goals midway through the first half put Qormi on their way to a thrilling victory over Floriana yesterday.

Brazilian midfielder Anderson and defender Duncan Pisani struck between the 20th and 22nd minutes to set the platform for Qormi’s second successive victory as Floriana were made to pay for a poor first-half showing.

The Greens tried to make amends after the break as they adopted a more attacking app-roach but were let down by their dismal defensive organisation. Opportunistic strikes from Ryan Micallef and Alfred Effiong sealed the points for Qormi who have now moved into a mid-table position.

Josef Mansueto, the Qormi coach, was forced to make do without Frank Temile who was serving a one-match ban.

Temile was replaced by Micallef, who is a member of the Malta U-21 squad. Ghanaian midfielder Albert Bruce returned to first-team action as Bjorn Bondin was among the substitutes.

Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco recalled Gary Muir to his starting formation at the expense of Emanuel Briffa while striker Giovanni Galea was given the nod to start in a three-pronged attack alongside Vito Plut and Marco Piciollo as Amadou Samb was suspended.

It was Qormi who threatened first on 13 minutes. Effiong picked out Joseph Chetcuti in the area but the latter’s shot was too tame to trouble goalkeeper Valerio Senatore.

Qormi were not to be denied though as, on 20 minutes, Anderson was first to Chetcuti’s free-kick to plant his header home.

The Greens were still coming to terms with that setback when Qormi doubled their lead. Pisani was given time and space on the edge of the area to fire a rasping drive that flew into the net.

After Qormi’s quickfire double, the match entered a lull with Floriana looking short of ideas while Qormi were happy to preserve their energies, given the high humidity at the stadium.

Floriana finally created a chance six minutes from the break when Douglas Cobo’s curling drive from a free-kick came off the bar.

On the restart, Tedesco roped in winger Isaac Galea for George Galea as he looked to give more balance to his team while Mansueto introduced Alessio Cassar for Emerson Vella to add cover on the left flank.

The Floriana substitute made an instant impact as, on 47 minutes, Piciollo broke free on the left before sending a low cross towards Isaac Galea who prodded home.

Qormi responded on 54 minutes when Anderson passed to Micallef inside the area but the young forward saw his volley finish just over.

Qormi restored their two-goal lead on 64 minutes when Micallef moved past two defenders before hitting a low drive past Senatore.

Floriana took just two minutes to reopen the match when Galea sent an inviting ball towards Piciollo. He looked to have been anticipated by goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia who failed to hold the ball and Plut was on hand to stab it into the net.

Plut should have pulled Floriana level on 80 minutes when he found himself in ample space in the Qormi box but fired over with only Farrugia to beat.

The Greens paid dearly for this miss as Effiong applied the coup de grace four minutes from time.

From a quick break, the Nigerian exchanged passes with Carmelo Farrugia before slotting the ball past Senatore.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-5.5, J. Bondin-6, Anderson-7.5, E. Vella-6 (46 A. Cassar-5), D. Pisani-6.5, J. Chetcuti-6.5, R. Micallef-6.5 (77 C. Farrugia), Z. Levnaic-6, A. Bruce-6, A. Effiong-7, M. Latini Mazzetti-5 (62 B. Bondin-6).

Floriana
V. Senatore-4, A. Scicluna-5, Douglas-5.5, S. Pisani-5, C. Borg-5 (50 E. Briffa-5), V. Plut-6, M. Piciollo-6, G. Galea-5 (46 I. Galea-6.5), B. Farrugia-5, G. Muir-5 (67 E. Marcelina-5), S. Bonnici-5.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.

Yellow cards: Mazzetti; Anderson; Micallef.

BOV player of the match: Anderson (Qormi).