Floriana’s Vito Plut (left) tries to go past goalkeeper Luke Pecorella. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Floriana 4
Pisani 22; Muir 37 pen.; Douglas 56 pen.; Piciollo 59;
Naxxar Lions 1
Emenike 45;

2014 was a turbulent year for Floriana but, judging by their performance in their first game of the New Year, 2015 promises to be much better than its predecessor.

Last season, Floriana ended up fighting for dear life in the top flight but this term, they look well-placed to challenge for a top-four position and a possible spot in the Europa League as their 4-1 victory over Naxxar Lions lifted them up to fourth in the table, two points ahead of Balzan who meet Tarxien Rainbows today.

The first BOV Premier League match of 2015 was an open encounter replete with scoring chances, two penalties, both converted by Floriana, and a red card to Naxxar Lions goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi after just 34 minutes.

While Azzopardi’s dismissal inevitably jolted Naxxar, Floriana had been the brighter side until then with forwards Vito Plut and Matteo Piciollo hassling the Naxxar defenders with their sprightly movement and Steve Pisani also flitting into dangerous positions from his wide midfield station.

Yet, the Greens’ profligacy in front goal threatened to undo their efforts as, even with 10 men, Naxxar managed to pull one back before half-time only for Floriana to make the points safe with two quick goals early in the second half.

With Amadou Samb ruled out with suspension, Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco tweaked his approach, going with 4-3-1-2 with Clyde Borg floating behind Plut and Piciollo.

Naxxar coach Jesmond Zerafa responded with 4-2-3-1 that had Pape Gueye as the central striker in front of the attacking quartet of Terence Vella, Daren Falzon and Uchenna Emenike. Brazilian Gilmar was absent for Naxxar who had new signing Albert Bruce among the substitutes.

Floriana fashioned a good move on 16 minutes. Latching on to a long pass, Plut raced into the box before dragging the ball back to Pisani whose grounder was blocked by Azzopardi.

The Lions broke forward quickly as Emenike made headway on the left before delivering an outswinging cross that landed at the feet of Vella but his angled volley was deflected away for a corner.

Balance prevailed in these opening exchanges as both teams took to the pitch with an attacking mindset. Close to the 11th minute mark, Emerson Marcelina, Floriana’s anchoring midfielder, almost scored a stupendous goal as his thumping drive from the centre-circle had Azzopardi dashing back frantically but the Naxxar goalkeeper was rescued by the woodwork.

Floriana were again left to rue their ill-luck on 16 minutes. Naxxar defender Andrew Scicluna made a glaring mistake as his underhit backpass left the way clear for Plut who darted into the box but the Slovenian’s effort hit the inside of the far post.

With both teams looking far from steady at the back, chances continued to come thick and fast. Naxxar had a great opportunity to open the scoring when Vella’s astute pass released Emenike who, having outpaced the dithering Clyde Borg, ran towards goal but the Nigerian miscued his attempt as the Floriana midfielder came rushing back.

It looked a matter of when not if the stalemate would be broken. It was Floriana who struck midway into the first half as Gary Muir’s cross from the left bypassed the Naxxar defenders and Pisani was on hand to guide the ball home.

Three minutes later, Tyrone Gauci, the Floriana goalkeeper, dropped David Reano’s cross from a corner but Marcelina cleared the danger.

A low drive by Piciollo ended marginally wide on the half-hour but four minutes later, Naxxar’s afternoon took a turn for the worse when goalkeeper Azzopardi was shown a straight red card for clattering into Plut inside the box.

Floriana were awarded a penalty and Muir rammed his shot past the incoming Luke Pecorella from the spot.

The Greens stayed in command. They threatened to increase their advantage when Piciollo drifted into the box from the left but his strike flashed against the outside of the post. The Italian then hit wide from Pisani’s cross.

Doffo’s long-range free-kick ended high on the stroke of half-time but Naxxar gained a glimmer of hope in stoppage time.

From Doffo’s corner, Falzon’s backward header cannoned off the far post but Emenike blasted home from the rebound. Earlier, Bruce had come on for Mattia Del Negro for his Naxxar debut.

There was also a chance for Floriana to restore their two-goal lead when Muir released Piciollo who sprinted into the box only to lift his shot over the bar.

Two minutes into the second half, Floriana went close to a third but Plut failed to conclude properly from the six-yard box. Pecorella then blocked Piciollo’s close-range effort.

Floriana continued to push forward in search of a third goal. They were again unlucky when Piciollo’s stooping header, from Plut’s cross, ricocheted off the crossbar.

It was not long before Floriana extended their lead. Marcelina’s drive came off Bruce’s hands, prompting referee Fyodor Zammit to point to the spot. Brazilian Douglas slotted the ball home.

Piciollo finally got in on the act as his acrobatic flick sent the ball into the top corner after good work by Brooke Farrugia who had just replaced Clyde Borg.

With 15 minutes remaining, Gauci made a good save to stop Reano’s header after the Argentine had got on the end of Edet’s cross.

As Floriana eased up, Naxxar made a belated reaction. Doffo again went close but his cross-cum-shot landed on top of the crossbar.

Emenike was also denied by the woodwork as his screamer rattled the bar.

Floriana
T. Gauci-6, Douglas-6, E. Marcelina-7, (68 N. Spiteri-6), S. Pisani-7, Clyde Borg-6 (57 B. Farrugia-6.5), V. Plut-7.5, M. Piciollo-7.5 (73 G. Galea), Conor Borg-6, E. Briffa-6.5, G. Muir-7, S. Bonnici-6.

Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi, A. Scicluna-4, I. Edet-4, T. Vella-4, P. Gueye-4 (37 L. Pecorella-4), D. Falzon-5.5 (71 D. Bonnici), E. Emenike-5.5, R.G. Cassar-4, P. Doffo-6, M. Del Negro-5 (42 A. Bruce), D.A. Reano-6.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Yellow cards: Falzon; Bruce; Edet; Farrugia.

Red card: Azzopardi (NL) 34.

BOV player of the match: Matteo Piciollo (Floriana).