Dull match leaves Birkirkara and Floriana stranded
Birkirkara and Floriana played out a goaless draw in a match which never came into life with Floriana missing a number of chances in the first half. In the
second period Birkirkara looked better but chances were scarce and in the end this resulted in another dull match reflecting the position of both teams in the standings.
Both teams were in desperate need of the maximum points with the Stripes in order to press more for European football and the Greens to avoid the red zone.
Birkirkara and Floriana were coming from defeats in their previous outings losing against Valletta and Hibernians respectively.
Chapoval was missing through suspension for Birkirkara with goalkeeper Hogg making his debut for the Stripes. Clayton Failla was given an unusual starting role.
In the first round Birkirkara had emerged winners by two goals to nil
Floriana went out on the attack and in the 6th minute off a Herrera cross Vieira Da Silva missed the easiest of chances sending the ball wide with the goal at his mercy. On 12 minutes the Greens missed once again through Vieira Da Silva off an Oyama cross.
Floriana kept piling on the pressure and dominating when on 18 minutes Oyama found Paiber whose shot ended just over the bar.
Midway through the first half a shot on the turn by Arias Ulises just missed the target. But Floriana missed their easiest chance so far in the 27th minute when Herrera sent an inviting cross with Vieira Da Silva missing a sitter and Hogg tipping over onto a corner.
And ten minutes from the end of the first half off an Oyama free kick a headed effort by central defender Enzo Ruiz hit the crossbar with Hogg completely beaten.
And on the stroke of half time off a defensive blunder by Attard, Vieira Da Silva cut the ball back to Jurgen Pisani whose shot from inside the area was saved by Hogg.
For the second half Birkirkara effected a double substition drafting in De Souza and Joringho instead of Vella and Montebello.
On the hour Floriana countered with Arias Ulises finding Herrera but the latter was anticipated on time by goalkeeper Hogg.
The first chance for Birkirkara just past the hour when Guillaumier found Bezzina who flicked towards Jorginho but his final shot was turned in style into a corner by Akpan.
In the 76th minute De Sequeira took control followin an indecision in the central defence and passed towards Jorginho but his tame shot was blocked by Ruiz.
Ten minutes from the end of the match a Cain Attard cross from the right caused havoc in the opposing area with the ball finally falling into Andelkovic path but his shot from the edge of the area was saved by Akpan.