Superb Agius denies Floriana victory

Lija Athletic 1
Floriana 1

Lowly Lija Athletic sprung a major surprise yesterday evening as they held fourth-placed Floriana to a 1-1 draw at the Centenary Stadium.

Simon Agius was Lija's hero last night. The 26-year-old goalkeeper produced a five-star performance as his string of fine saves helped the Premier League strugglers to earn a precious point.

The disappointment on the faces of the Floriana players and officials was evident after the final whistle as they knew they had lost two vital points in their quest to earn a Championship Pool berth at the end of the first phase.

Winning the three points would have boosted significantly their chances of a top-six finish as they would had opened a healthy lead over direct rivals Hibernians, Marsaxlokk, Msida St Joseph and Pietà Hotspurs who will be in action between tomorrow and Monday.

Floriana coach Willie Vassallo yesterday opted to include Brazilian striker Edoardo Do Nascimento in his starting formation in lieu of Nicolò Baldacchino.

Congolese defender Riad-Mynel Gango-Rtsa returned from injury. But Andre Rocha da Silva was still out of the equation and the leadership skills of the sturdy Brazilian midfielder were again sorely felt by the Greens.

Goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri had a chance to stake his claim for the no. 1 shirt when he replaced Reuben Gauci in goal. But he failed to capitalise as he was at fault in Lija's equaliser as his poor sortie enabled Glenn Barry to plant the ball into an empty net.

Playing under a heavy downpour, particularly during the first half, both sets of players found it very difficult to control the ball as the synthetic surface soaked plenty of water in the opening minutes of the encounter.

After a rather inconspicuous opening, Floriana created their first chance on 25 minutes.

Shaun Bajada initiated a menacing run on the left flank, serving the surging Trevor Cilia who in turn chipped the ball forward towards Do Nascimento who headed wide.

This was the prelude of Floriana's opener that arrived a minute later. Cilia floated a corner inside the Lija penalty area and Manolito Micallef flashed in to head powerfully into the back of the net.

A minute from half time, Floriana nearly doubled their advantage. Micallef was put through but his shot was well blocked by the alert Agius.

When ends were changed, goalmouth action was again at a premium. On 53 minutes, Bajada tested Agius with a low shot but the Lija goalkeeper did well to parry.

Camilleri, the Floriana goalkeeper, was first called into action on the hour to palm away a Kurt Zammit shot.

In their next attack Lija equalised. This arrived on 67 minutes when Zammit created some space for himself on the right before curling in a cross. Camilleri misjudged the ball's trajectory and Scerri quickly pounced to head towards Barry who had the easiest of tasks to tap the ball home.

The goal hit hard Floriana and Vassallo immediately roped in Malta U-21 striker Baldacchino to add more firepower to his forward line.

The Greens increased their urgency but they found an inspired Agius who frustrated them with a series of excellent saves.

Baldacchino did manage to put the ball in the Lija net but the goal was annulled for offside.

In time added on Floriana had a glorious chance to hit a dramatic winner. From a Bajada free-kick the ball fell into the path of Micallef who shot wide with only Agius to beat.

That was that and in the end while Lija were celebrating the point gained, the Floriana players and officials rued the two points lost which could prove costly at the end of the second round.

Lija: S. Agius-9, D. Okeke-6, D. Cosaitis-6, G. Lanzon-7, K. Zammit-6, D. Scerri-7, G. Camenzuli-7, G. Barry-6, N. Gatt-6, P. Camilleri-6, M. Gatt-6 ('89 A. Ellul).

Floriana: M. Camilleri-5, M. Caruana-6, R.M. Gango-Rtsa-6, C. Ciantar-6, J.C. Schembri-6 ('86 R. Darmanin) , J. Briffa-6 ('72 K. Formosa), T. Cilia-6, E. Do Nascimento-6 ('74 N. Baldacchino), M. Micallef-7, S. Bajada-7, C. Cassar-6.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Scorers: Micallef 26; Barry 67.

Yellow Cards: Barry, Briffa, Schembri, Camenzuli, Cassar

Player Of The Match: Shaun Bajada (Floriana).