Floriana registered their second successive victory in the VBET Malta Premier as they defeated Old Firm rivals Sliema Wanderers 2-0.
The Greens produced another solid and clinical performance to maintain their perfect start to the season, collecting six points from their opening two matches without conceding a goal.
For Sliema, however, it was another disappointing result. The Wanderers remain without a point and are yet to score after 180 minutes of league football.
Sliema coach Branko Nisevic made three changes from the side which lost 2-0 to Hibernians, with Nigel Robertha, Gustavo Alcino and Wale Musa Alli coming into the starting line-up.
Floriana, meanwhile, made one change, with Dunstan Vella preferred to Alen Kurtalic.
The Greens threatened early when Paul Mbong’s effort from the left was blocked by Henry Bonello. Tomas Gudelj then followed up with a low shot which was cleared off the goal line by Vlatko Drobarov.
Sliema responded through Nigel Robertha and Wale Musa Alli, while the Wanderers thought they had taken the lead on 35 minutes, only for the goal to be disallowed following a foul by Alexander Satariano inside the area.
Floriana made the breakthrough two minutes later. Yassine Jbira provided the assist from the right and Dunstan Vella fired a low shot from the edge of the area past Bonello to give the Greens the lead.
Sliema continued to search for an equaliser after the restart, with Teddy Teuma, Anthony Limbombe and others testing the Floriana defence, but goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti and the Greens’ backline stood firm.
Floriana almost doubled their advantage on 70 minutes when Federico Varela’s shot from outside the area was tipped into a corner by Bonello.
The decisive moment came shortly afterwards following a dramatic FVS intervention. During a Sliema counter-attack, Myles Beerman was initially sent off for what appeared to be a second bookable offence. However, Floriana activated the Football Video Support review for a possible penalty after Diego Camara appeared to foul Carlo Zammit Lonardelli inside the area.
Following the review, referee Ezekiel Barbara withdrew the red card and awarded Floriana a penalty instead. Paul Mbong stepped up and converted from the spot to make it 2-0.
Floriana nearly added a third goal in the closing stages, but Gudelj’s diagonal effort was deflected into a corner by Bonello.
The final whistle confirmed another convincing result for Floriana, who have now won both their opening league matches and kept two clean sheets, while Sliema Wanderers face an early-season battle to register their first points and goals.
Sports Editor
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