Floriana, Birkirkara share spoils in goalless draw

The two sides were determined to earn maximum points from the game but the two sets of players cancelled each other’s efforts in what turned out to be an entertaining match. 

The Greens hit the ground running and were the better team in the first sixty minutes. However despite playing for more than 20 minutes with an extra man, Floriana failed to take advantage.  They had the better chances but Birkirkara goalkeeper Justin Haber saved whatever was thrown at him.

Birkirkara’s Italian coach Giovanni Tedesco, who was facing his former team for the first time, had to make one change from the last game, including Ryan Scicluna for Rowen Muscat. On the other hand, for Floriana, Mauricio Villa replaced Clyde Borg who sat on the bench.
The result allowed Balzan to retain sole leadership, one ahead of Birkirkara, Valletta and Hibernians with the Greens lying in fifth place, three points behind the leaders.
Floriana created the first chance after 10 minutes with Mario Fontanella’s low drive came hitting the side-netting. The Greens went close to scoring midway into the first half with Nicolas Chiesa's free-kick creating confusuin in the Stripes’ box but Mauricio Villa’s shot went over the bar from point blank distance.

Late in the first half, Floriana’s appeals for a penalty were turned down after Mauricio Mazzetti appeared to have pushed Villa but referee Mario Apap waved play on. 

After going a man down after the break, Birkirkara upped their efforts to increase the pressure on Floriana. However they were unlucky not to take the lead on the 79th as Vito Plut’s header hit the crossbar.

FLORIANA Matthew Calleja Cremona, Antonio Monticelli, Enrico Pepe, Steve Pisani (62′ Juninho Cabral), Mauricio Villa, Jurgen Pisani, Matteo Picciollo, Steve Bonnici, Emanuel Briffa, Nicolas Chiesa, Mario Fonatanella (88′ Firas Aboulezz).
Subs not used: Tyrone Gauci, Andre Scicluna, Darrel Baldacchino, Clyde Borg, Conor Borg.

BIRKIRKARA Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Mauricio Matias Latini Mazzetti, Nikola Vukanac (70′ Marcelina Emerson), Ryan Camenzuli, Paul Fenech, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras (75′ Edmond Agius), Ryan Scicluna, Vito Plut, Fabrizio Miccoli (35′ Ellinton Antonio Costa Morais).
Subs not used: Philip Schranz, Frank Temile, Kurt Zammit, Edward Herrera.
Coach: Giovanni Tedesco

Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Chris Francalanza
Additional Assistant Referees: Adrian Azzopardi, Trustin Farrugia Cann
Fourth Official: Alan Camilleri
Yellow Cards: Zerafa, Pepe, Z. Muscat, Villa, Bonnici, Fenech
Red Cards: 68′ Joseph Zerafa
Scorers:
BOV Player of the Match: Nicolas Chiesa
Attendance: 1,496