Floriana 0
Naxxar Lions 1
Milan Vignjevic scored his first Naxxar goal as the Lions overcame a stubborn Floriana in this dour fourth-round clash.
Winston Muscat’s side struggled until Vignjevic produced a skilful effort for Naxxar to bounce back from the painful 7-1 defeat to Birkirkara in the league.
Floriana suffered their fourth defeat on the trot but made Naxxar work hard for their win as the Lions struggled to find any fluency to their passing game. But all that changed after Vignjevic’s goal.
Naxxar featured two changes from the rout to Birkirkara as Victor Bellia and Vignjevic replaced Mattia del Negro and Gilmar.
Floriana coach Ian Dawes made sweeping changes yesterday.
Gary Muir, Sacha Borg and Luca Casha were named as substitutes while Christian Caruana was now-here to be seen. Igor Coronado, Darrell Baldacchino, Brooke Far-rugia and Issac Galea were included in the starting formation.
Despite the major overhaul, Floriana still possessed plenty of ammunition with Coronado taking up a central attacking role.
Eight minutes into the game, Coronado embarked on a surging run before sending a fierce drive which went wide. On the other side, Daniel Hanford produced a smart save on Terence Scerri’s effort.
As if to underline their territorial supremacy, the Greens fashioned two chances in a matter of minutes but Diogo blasted over and then Coronado came face to face with Julian Azzopardi but the Naxxar keeper won the duel with the Brazilian striker.
A few minutes after the restart, Angus Buhagiar ran on to reach Filip Stojanovic’s through-ball but his strike hit the near post.
After the break, Coronado combined speed and power to dispossess Ryan Cassar on the right flank before sending in a cross towards the far post where the unmarked Diogo hit a dipping volley but Azzopardi produced an excellent one-handed save to palm his attempt away.
Naxxar, who lacked real tempo for the large part, made the break-through on 63 minutes.
Running on to an inviting ball from Stojanovic, Vignjevic outfoxed Ibok Edet and Rodrigo Aguiar to slot his shot in at the near post.
The Lions were again quick to switch from defence to attack as Andre da Silva released the in-fluental Stojanovic, this time the midfielder was crowded out by the Greens but still managed a shot that was turned away by Hanford.
Floriana came close to equalising two minutes from time but Edet hit badly from close range.
Substitute Daren Falzon then went close to adding a second for Naxxar but with only Hanford to beat he shot straight into the hands of the Englishman.
Floriana: D. Hanford, I. Edet, S. Pisani, I. Coronado, Diogo, D. Baldac-chino, C. Borg, J. Borg, B. Farrugia, R. Aguiar, I. Galea (69 D. Kokavesiss).
Naxxar: J. Azzopardi, V. Bellia, A. Buhagiar (81 D. Falzon), R.G. Cassar, A. Decesare, T. Lopes, D. Reano, A. Da Silva, T. Scerri, F. Stojanovic (76 M. Del Negro), M. Vignjevic (66 Gilmar).
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.