360Sports Malta Premier
Tony Bezzina Stadium
FLORIANA………………….2
MARSAXLOKK…………….1
Sasere 62, El Hasni 85, Muscat 56
Floriana staged a spirited second-half comeback to defeat Marsaxlokk 2-1 in a key Top Six clash, pulling level on points with their rivals with just three games remaining.
Despite going behind in the 56th minute to a Nikolai Muscat strike, the Greens turned the match on its head with a Franklin Sasere penalty on 62 minutes, followed by a late Ousseynou El Hasni header in the 85th to seal the win.
The victory bolsters Floriana’s push to win the Closing Round, aiming to clinch the Premier League title outright after already topping the Opening Round. The match also marked a special occasion for coach Darren Abdilla, who celebrated his 200th match in Malta’s top flight.
Marsaxlokk had early chances through Dodo and Aguiar, but Floriana goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi produced crucial saves to keep the score level in the first half. Controversy briefly flared when Floriana appealed for a penalty due to a potential handball by Aguiar, but referee Ishmael Barbara waved play on.
In the end, it was Floriana who found the late breakthrough, leaving Marsaxlokk to rue their missed chances and tightening the battle at the top of the table.
FLORIANA
C. Mafoumbi; O. El Hasni, J. Grech, D. Vella (87 Z. Scerri), O. Spiteri, M. Garcia (77 J. Becerra) , C. Lonardelli (77 A. Garzia), G. Gamarra, F. Sasere, A. Kouro, J. Gomes (87 E. Mashike).
MARSAXLOKK
M. Calleja Cremona; K. Micallef (87 E. Pena Beltre), N. Muscat, Yuri, J. Corbalan, Dodo (72 D. Bonnici), J. Arias, L. Lopez, A. Aguiar, L. Aguirre, R. Scicluna (65 M. Adamec).
