Floriana 0
Qormi 0
Frustrated Floriana drew a blank after a below-par performance yesterday as Qormi coach Mark Miller devised a cautious plan aimed at nullifying the Greens’ attacking weaponry.
Floriana held the initiative for long stretches but their approach was devoid of flair and creativity, two key attributes when facing spirited opponents who showed excellent composure, tactical discipline and, above all, resolute defending to repel everything the Greens threw at them.
Floriana’s line-up showed only one change from their previous match against Birkirkara (another 0-0 draw) as Sacha Borg started instead of Conor Borg.
Miller had to make do without suspended duo Duncan Pisani and Uzeh Edafe.
Qormi were boosted by the return of Alfred Effiong who was back after seeing out his one-match ban in the 2-1 loss to Naxxar Lions. Gustavo Villalobos recovered from injury. Alejandro Mendoza was in for Billy Bernt-sson who was on the bench.
After a rather slow start, Floriana had a good chance to open the scoring midway through the half but Matthew Farrugia stood in their way. Steve Pisani’s corner soared towards Matteo Piciollo whose header was repelled by the alert Qormi keeper.
Relying on counter-attacks, Qormi mustered a typical breakaway that had Floriana on the backfoot just past the half-hour mark. Villalobos exchanged passes with Marcelinho before sprinting into the Floriana box but his shot was blocked by keeper Matthew Calleja Cremona.
Floriana dictated matters for long spells but lacked a cutting edge to breach Qormi’s defensive lines. To their credit, Miller’s team did not defend en masse and tried hard to keep possession, at times managing to come out of their own half confidently.
The Greens remained the brighter side after the break though.
Vito Plut delivered a cut pass to free Clyde Borg but the latter volleyed over with only Farrugia to beat.
Six minutes later, Marcelinho, among Qormi’s most influential players yesterday, strode out of midfield before squaring for Villalobos who failed to beat Calleja Cremona.
Greens coach Giovanni Tedesco made his first and only substitution on 57 minutes, bringing on Igor Coronado for Felipe Douglas, deploying four men up front with the Brazilian roaming behind the attacking trio of Plut, Piciollo and Amadou Samb.
Past the hour mark, Plut’s free-kick was pushed over the bar by Farrugia. Then, on 78 minutes, Effiong produced an inviting reverse pass to free Villalobos who out-sprinted his direct marker but Calleja Cremona blocked in time.
Next to no time the Floriana goalkeeper punted the ball into attack but Plut missed the Qormi goal by a whisker with a crisp volley.
Floriana pressed on the accelerator in their bid to win all points and maintain their charge for fourth place. Seven minutes from time, Farrugia produced another smart save to keep out Plut’s firm header.
In stoppage-time, Coronado was fouled outside the Qormi box. He picked himself up to take the free-kick but his inswinger was kept out by the well-positioned Farrugia for Qormi to secure a precious point in their tussle to avoid the drop.
Floriana
M. Calleja Cremona-6.5, F. Douglas-6 (57 I. Coronado-5), Marcelina-6, S. Pisani-5, C. Borg-6, V. Plut-6.5, M. Piciollo-5, E. Briffa-5.5, A. Samb-4.5, M. Micallef-5, S. Borg-5.
Qormi
M. Farrugia-7, A. Mendoza-7, Mar-celinho-7 (77 B. Berntsson), A. Effiong-6, C. Gauci-7, E. Vella-8, Z. Levnaic-7, J. Bondin-6, G. Villalobos-6.5, L. Grech-5 (83 B. Bondin), A. Nilsson-5 (70 R. Micallef-5).
Referee: Mario Apap.
Yellow cards: Levnaic, Piciollo, S. Borg, C. Borg, Samb, Gauci, Micallef, B. Bondin.
BOV player of the match: Emerson Vella (Qormi).