Floriana came back from a goal down to beat Tre Penne of San Marino 3-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Thursday.
The Greens were the better side during the first half but after failing to score, conceded a goal early in the second half. However Floriana reacted well to score three and take a two-goal advantage ahead of the second leg in programme next week at the San Marino Stadium. The team which qualifies would face top Portuguese side Vitória SC, better known as Vitória de Guimarães.
New Floriana coach Darren Abdilla handed goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi and Thiaguinho Santos a start while another two new signings, Fernandinho and Anthony Obonogwu were included as substitutes.
Following a goalless first half, Tre Penne forged ahead five minutes in the second half thanks to Tommaso Guidi whoswe low shot beat goalkeeper Mafoumbi.
However Florioana were quick to react and Kyrian Nwoko equalised five minutes later, beating goalkeeper Migani off a cross by Kemar Reid.
Two minutes later, Dunstan Vella made it 2-1 with a great attempt from the edge of the area.
Thiaguinho Santos extended the lead on the 63rd with a fine shot off another cross by Kemar Reid.
FLORIANA Chirstoffer Mafoumbi, Oualid El Hasni, Jake Grech, Kemar Reid, Thaguinho Santos (67’ Mattia Veselji), Dunstan Vella (67’ Ulises Jose Arias), Owen Spiteri, Kyrian Nwoko (67’ Anthony Abah Obonogwu, Matias Garcia, Alejandro Garzia (87’ Carlo Zammit Lonardelli), Alexandros Kouro (82’ Fernandinho).
TRE PENNE Mattia Migani, Mirko Palazzi (82’ Enrico Casadei), Nicola Vecchio, Tommaso Guidi (82’ Luca Ceccaroli), Riccardo Pieri, Lorenzo Dormi (67’ Cristian Grieco), Benjamin Boccioletti, Marcello Scarponi (82’ Malvin Zeka), Nicolas Lombardi, Armando Amati, Giacomo Nigretti (90+2’ Fabio Giovagnoli).
Referee: Florian Lata ALB
Assistant Referees: Erind Burgu, Marjus Qose ALB
Fourth Official: Andi Koci ALB
