Away defeats leave Floriana and Balzan facing uphill task

Floriana and Balzan, the other Maltese clubs competing in the Europa League, went down to Serbian side Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) and Videoton, of Hungary, respectively. The Greens were compact for most of the first half but the dismissal of defender Enzo Ruiz for a foul on Nemanja Milic on the stroke of half-time led to their downfall. Richmond Boakye converted from the spot to put Red Star on the path to victory. Slavoljub Srnic doubled their lead on 78 minutes and Boakye scored again in stoppage time for a 3-0 victory. The second leg will be played on Thursday at the Hibernians Stadium at 20.30. In Hungary, Balzan also conceded two late goals in a 2-0 defeat to Videoton. Marko Scepovic made amends for hitting the woodwork from the penalty spot as he opened the scoring 12 minutes from the end. Fellow Serb Danko Lazovic got Videoton’s second goal in stoppage time. Balzan will be looking to overturn the deficit when they host Videoton at the Hibernians Stadium on Tuesday. The second leg kicks off at 17.45.