Balzan and Floriana took a point each from this disappointing encounter. Much more was expected from both sides. A draw which satisfies neither side as Balzan remains in seventh place, nine points behind third-placed Gzira United while Floriana are joint-eighth place with Mosta on 22 points.
For this match Balzan had Nenad Sljivic and Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes (Kadu) missing while goalkeeper Steven Sultana and Andrija Majdevac started on the bench with the latter coming on in the second period. On the other hand, Emerson Marcelina was missing through suspension for Floriana. In the first round, Balzan defeated Floriana by a 2-0 scoreline
Floriana had slightly better ideas during the opening minutes, going close in the 12th minute when from a corner taken by Arthur Oyama, Enzo Ruiz’s conclusion finished just over the crossbar.
Two minutes later Brandon Diego Paiber saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.
In the 16th minute, a cross sent by Alfred Effiong was met by Milos Lepovic whose effort finished wide.
Till the end of the first half, most of the play was rather dull mainly in midfield. In fact, both goalkeepers were never really tested.
Floriana went close again just before half-time. Arthur Oyama’s cross from a corner was met by Enzo Ruiz whose effort was tipped behind for a corner by goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.
Three minutes into the second half Floriana threatened again. Kristian Keqi drilled a low shot from the left side of the penalty area that failed to hit the target.
In the 53rd minute, Balzan were awarded a free kick from inside the area but a Ricardo Correa Duarte shot was blocked by the Floriana defenders, the ball fell into Steve Pisani’s path only for his shot to be deflected by Akpan.
In the 73rd minute, Balzan had another chance on goal. Ricardo Correa Duarte sent a low shot from distance that was neutralised by goalkeeper Ini Etim Akpan without much difficulty.
In the 82nd minute, a long-range shot by Clyde Borg just scraped the crossbar.
Three minutes from time, Ricardo Correa Duarte was unlucky to hit the foot of the upright following a freekick from the left for Balzan and off the rebound, Aleksandar Kosoric hit incredibly wide.
Just before time, Floriana seemed to have notched the winning goal when off a corner from the right, Balzan defender Aleksandar Kosoric headed the ball past Sean Mintoff in attempt to clear the ball into safety. However, the referee disallowed the goal as he had already signaled an infringement inside the area in favour of Balzan.
Both team performances leave much to be desired. They need to up their game if they wish to end the season in a better place in the classification.
FLORIANA : Ini Etim Akpan, Enzo Ruiz, Kristian Keqi (Lucas Vieira 86′), Brandon Paiber (Clyde Borg 74′), Jurgen Pisani, Tiago Galvao, Alex Cini, Ulises Arias, Arthur Oyama, Edward Herrera (Daniel Agius 79′), Ezequiel Cesani.
BALZAN : Sean Mintoff, Aleksandar Kosoric, Steve Pisani (Justin Grioli 84′), Steve Bezzina, Paul Fenech, Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac (Andrija Majdevac 68′), Ivan Bozovic, Elkin Serrano, Ricardo Correa, Milos Lepovic (Sean Cipriott 46′).
Referee: Stefan Pace
BOV Player of the Match: Enzo Ruiz