GFA BOV GFL Division I
Gozo Stadium
Kercem A : 1 (O. Rolovic 16’)
Vella, P. Kyumyurdzhiev, M. Tabone, O. Spiteri, M. Mifsud, J.P. Mizzi, P. Taylor, A. Mizzi (E. Vella), J. Buttigieg, O. Rolovic, T. Grozev.
Xewkija T : 2 (Dene Shields 32’ pen., 75’)
Sultana, J. Azzopardi (P. Buttigieg), M. Xerri, J. Vella, J. Cefai, J.M. Vella, M. Hrubsa, R. Buttigieg, D. Bogdanovic, D. Shields, T.M. Dos Santos.
Xewkija Tigers registered an important win over Kercem Ajax and with the points obtained they are practically back with the top teams aiming to challenge for the title. This match was considered as a direct clash between two teams who were seeking a victory to take the third spot on the table.
Xewkija are still trying to find their best form in the championship and were also coming from a disappointing result in their previous match. In this match they had some players who were not in their best physical condition, while Gennaro Hili was missing due to an injury. The Tigers found it difficult to find the right deployment during the first half but they took territorial supremacy after the break and managed to clinch the victory with a decisive goal that arrived fifteen minutes away from the end of regular time. On the other hand Kercem were coming from two consecutive defeats and seemed determined to obtain a positive result from this encounter. They seemed in a good shape during the first part of the encounter but suffered Xewkija’s play during the second period. During the final stages Kercem remained in contention to earn at least a point but they not manage to convert their determination into good scoring opportunities. Overall the match turned out into a well contested encounter, not with many scoring opportunities, where the final score remained uncertain. Xewkija’s win was mainly achieved through their experience as they managed to capitalise from their chances.
The importance of the match conditioned the two sides during the opening minutes as they were both very prudent in their approach. The first serious attempt at goal arrived in the ninth minute through a shot by Dene Shields that was neutralised by goalie Franklin Vella. Kercem replied on 14 minutes through a break by Ognjem Rolovic but the striker concluded badly as he arrived inside the area and the ball ended far away from goal. Kercem opened the score two minutes later when Andrew Mizzi’s cross from the right flank arrived to Ognjen Rolovic who had his shot on the run blocked by Xewkija’s keeper Steve Sultana and from the rebound the same striker headed in goal. Kercem grew in confidence and started to dictate play. Xewkija resisted Kercem’s initiative and kept their area clear from danger but they found it difficult to produce a reaction. On 32 minutes Xewkija managed to operate a good action inside Kercem’s area and Thiago Melo Dos Santos was pulled on the floor by central defender Petar Kyumyurdzhiev. The referee awarded a penalty and Dene Shields converted from the spot kick to make it 1-1. Play now became more balanced but the two defensive departments often prevailed over the respective striker and the best scoring opportunity before half time arrived to Xewkija on 45 minutes through a fine shot by dene Shields that ended just over the crossbar.
After the break Xewkija took supremacy on the field. However, Kercem were well organised at their defence and also threatened Xewkija’s rear guard with sporadic counter breaks. On the hour mark Dene Shields had a header from a corner kick by Daniel Bogdanovic that ended just over Kercem’s goal and four minutes later Kercem replied through a shot by Ognjen Rolovic following a personal action that also ended just over the crossbar. On 66 minutes Kercem went again close to scoring but a header by Ognjen Rolovic from a free kick by Petar Kyumyurdzhiev ended wide. Xewkija scored the goal that decided the issue on 75 minutes when Kercem’s defence failed to clear the ball from the area following a free kick by Daniel Bogdanovic and the ball arrived to Dene Shields who netted form a closed angle. For the remaining minutes Kercem tried hard to recover the deficit but Xewkija protected their area with more players so that the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Photos: Anaca Photography
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