360 Sports Malta Premier 2024/25 – Play-off for Third Place
Sliema Wanderers…. 0
Floriana………………… 4
Floriana secured third place in the 360 Sports Malta Premier and qualification to the UEFA Conference League after a commanding 4–0 win over Sliema Wanderers in the play-off decider
While both teams were hoping to recover from their respective defeats in the Final Four semi-finals against Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara, it was Floriana who seized the initiative and delivered a clinical performance
Darren Abdilla’s side is still involved in the FA Trophy semi-finals, but for Sliema Wanderers, the campaign ends. However, a fourth-place finish may yet prove enough for European qualification, depending on the outcome of the FA Trophy final, with a Hibernians win required to open the door for the Blues
Floriana made a single change from their previous outing, with Matias Garcia returning to the starting eleven as Dunstan Vella dropped to the bench. Sliema introduced Geoffrey Acheampong in place of Wescley
The Greens were the brighter of the two sides in the opening half and were first to threaten when Fernandinho set up Jake Grech on 17 minutes, though the latter’s effort narrowly missed the target
At the half-hour mark, Fernandinho struck wide from distance before Garcia drew a strong save from Kelvin Emeka Agu two minutes later. The breakthrough arrived in the 35th minute when Aleandro Garzia’s cross confused the Sliema defence. After a miscue by Magri Overend, and an uncertain punch by Agu Jork Becerra produced a stunning overhead finish to fire Floriana ahead
Sliema’s best chance of the first half came three minutes before the interval when Vito Plut headed wide from a Steve Pisani set piece
Floriana doubled their lead seven minutes after the restart. Fernandinho completed a flowing move with a low strike from the edge of the area that found the far corner beyond Agu.
The Greens continued to press and nearly added a third when the goalkeeper parried Garzia’s delivery from the right. Sliema responded with a deflected Pisani free kick that went behind for a corner
On 66 minutes, Floriana extended their advantage. Sasere carried the ball from deep, beating the defensive line before delicately lifting the ball over Agu for a composed finish
Sliema showed brief signs of life with substitute Pryadun curling a shot just wide on 75 minutes, but the outcome was beyond doubt by the time Floriana struck their fourth
In the 90th minute, Sotomayor’s shot was stopped by Agu, but substitute Elvis Mashike reacted quickest to tuck home the rebound, completing a dominant performance from the Greens and ensuring European football returns to Floriana this summer
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
SLIEMA WANDERERS:
K Agu, N Frendo (57 M Pryadun), A Magri Overend, V Plut, M Beerman, G Alcino (85 N Strickland), M Freire, G Acheampong (80 K Nwoko), S Zibo, S Pisani (85 E Agius), M Awad
FLORIANA:
C Mafoumbi, O El Hasni (56 G Yameogo), J Grech (83 A De Flavia), J Becerra (72 Z Scerri), O Spiteri, M Garcia, G Gamarra, F Sasere (83 E Mashike), A Kouros, A Garzia, Fernandinho (72 G Sotomayor)
