Franklin Sasere scored twice as Floriana registered their third win, defeating Naxxar Lions 2-0 in a match from the Opening Round of the 360Sports Malta Premier at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Monday.
The Greens move fourth, two points behind joint-leaders Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers and one behind Gzira United. Naxxar Lions, on the other hand, suffered a third defeat in four matches.
Floriana had two changes from the team that defeated Zabbar as Owen Spiteri and Kemar Reid were preferred to Jake Grech and Kyrian Nwoko. Naxxar, on the other hand, had Nikolai Micallef, Gustavo Barbosa, and Matthias Fenech replacing Ryan Gilmour Cassar, Takuma Yamaguchi, and Edson Farias.
Following a goalless first half, Floriana forged ahead on 58 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Carlo Zammit Lonardelli was brought down inside the area by Pedro Vitor and from the penalty spot, Franklin Sasere converted.
The Greens doubled the score on 90 minutes when off a cross from the left by Fernandinho, Thiaguinho Santos served Jake Grech whose conclusion fell in the path of Franklin Sasere who placed the ball at the back of the net with a fine backheel.
