Floriana defeat Naxxar to secure Premier League status

Naxxar started the match protesting for a penalty just four minutes into the match. Milan Vignjevic looked to be fouled by Clyde Borg but the referee waved play on.

Naxxar came close to scoring on the 18th minute when Yuri Martines de Oliveira had his shot from outside the area edge past the post.

Floriana’s Diogo Pinheiro freekick was easily saved by goalkeeper Luke Pecorella on the 30th minute.

Ten minutes into the second half, a freekick by Diogo Pinheiro was partially saved and off the rebound Clyde Borg easily beat the Naxxar goalkeeper and placed the ball at the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed for being Clyde Borg being offside.

Floriana made sure they scored just three minutes later. Off a cross by Diogo Pinheiro, John Roland Emeka deflected the ball past goalkeeper Luke Pecorella.

Naxxar had a great chance to level the score when they were awarded a penalty on the 63rd minute. Daren Falzon was brought down inside the area by Andre Scicluna. From the penalty spot, Daren Falzon’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

Floriana made it 2-0 on the 68th minute. Christian Caruana served Diogo Pinheiro who then easily beat goalkeeper Luke Pecorella with his shot.

NAXXAR LIONS Luke Pecorella, Raimi Bakare, Victor Bellia, Angus Buhagiar, Ryan Gilmour Cassar, Andrew Decesare, Daren Falzon (82′ Duane Bonnici), Thiago Lopez de Souza, Yuri Martines de Oliveira (66′ Terence Scerri), Filip Stojanovic, Milan Vignjevic.

Subs not used: Matteo Farrugia, John Debono, Jurgen Debono, Kurt Drago, Yaron Sammut.

Coach: Winston Muscat

FLORIANA Sean Mintoff, Andre Scicluna, Emmanuel Ibok Edet, Steve Pisani, John Roland Emeka (66′ Isaac Galea), Christian Caruana (88′ Jonathan Xerri), Diogo Pinheiro de Sousa, Clyde Borg, Manuel Briffa, Rodrigo Felix Aguiar, Sacha Borg.

Subs not used: Daniel Hanford, Luke Micallef, Darrell Baldacchino, Luca Casha, Matthew Bajada.

Coach: Giovanni Tedesco

Referee: Chris Lautier

Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, David Castillo

Additional Assistant Referees: Fyodor Zammit, Sandro Spiteri

Fourth Official: Peter Abela

Yellow Cards: C. Caruana, S. Borg, V. Bellia, R. Bakare, A. Scicluna, S. Pisani, D. Falzon

Scorers: 58’ John Roland Emeka, 68’ Diogo Pinheiro de Sousa

BOV Player of the Match: Christian Caruana