Floriana 1
Doffo 41og;
Naxxar Lions 0
Floriana gained further ground on their direct rivals in a bid to secure Championship Pool football this season following a hard-earned 1-0 win over Naxxar Lions.
This victory was built on a watertight defence and the flair and technical brilliance of a three-pronged attack. In the end, however, it was only Pablo Doffo’s weird own goal that helped Floriana to wrest the initiative from their battling opponents.
Winston Muscat, the Naxxar Lions coach, was compelled to make three changes to the team that figured in the 4-1 defeat to Hibernians.
The absence of Brazilian defender Evaldo and Andrew Decesare, both suspended, left Muscat with no option but to field a makeshift defence as Pablo Doffo dropped backwards to partner Thiago Lopes in central defence, the returning Angus Buhagiar manned the right flank as Ryan Cassar filled in at left-back.
Floriana mentor Ian Dawes made just one change from the 3-0 victory over Qormi as Joseph Borg was preferred to Brooke Farrugia.
The early exchanges were bereft of constructive football as the two sides struggled to find their passing range.
Floriana enjoyed a distinct edge in terms of possession, but their efforts were undone by the poorness in their final pass.
The brisk movement of Flo-riana’s attacking trio – Igor Coronado as the central pivot and Christian Caruana given the freedom to interchange with Steve Pisani on the wings – was a constant cause of concern for Naxxar who relied on a sound tactical organisation and incisive counter-attacks led by Ousseni Zongo.
It took 22 minutes for the first shot on target. Caruana’s corner was half-cleared into Pisani’s path but the former Hibernians mid-fielder dragged a ferocious shot just wide.
The Lions may have been solid at the back, but they slipped up just before half-time when Diogo delivered a menacing shot from the left and former Floriana defender Doffo headed into his own net in attempt to clear.
Floriana almost made it 2-0 soon after when Coronado floated an inviting ball towards Caruana but his effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Naxxar created their best opening on 52 minutes when Victor Bellia teamed up with Gilmar. The seasoned midfielder sliced open the defence with an inch-perfect ball over the halfway line which Brazilian Gilmar collected before producing a lob that flew just over the bar.
Muscat’s men increased the frequency of their attacks and keeper Daniel Hanford bravely kept out a Daren Falzon free-kick as he effected a superb finger-tip save to turn the ball around the post on 68 minutes.
With the clock ticking down, Muscat threw caution to the wind as he introduced another striker to his formation – Marlon Briffa.
Floriana still opted to play a containing game as Dawes replaced Diogo with Giacomo Favero to crowd his midfield.
Naxxar tried desperately hard in those last few minutes but Floriana resisted boldly to earn full points and edge closer to the sixth placing in the standings.
Floriana
D. Hanford-7, A. Scicluna-7, I. Edet-7, S. Pisani-6 (79 L. Casha), C. Caruana-6.5, I. Coronado-7, Diogo-6 (71 G. Favero), C. Borg-6, J. Borg-6, G. Muir-6, S. Borg-6.
Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-6, V. Bellia-7.5, R.G. Cassar-6, Gilmar-6, T. Lopes-6, A. Rocha dos Santos-6, O. Zongo-5, P. Doffo-5, D. Bonnici-5 (76 M. Briffa), D. Falzon-6, A. Buhagiar-6.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit.
Yellow cards: Rocha da Silva, Thiago, Gilmar.
BOV Player of the match: Victor Bellia (Naxxar Lions).