GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I
Gozo Stadium
Gharb R : 5 (M. Barbosa 12’, 20’pen., 58’, 76’; A. Shkjan 26’)
D. Spiteri, A. Sultana, J. Azzopardi, P. Dorovic, M. Zerafa, B. Polo Longarela, M. Bezzina (J. Camenzuli), A. Shkjan (J. Portelli), M. Barbosa, D. Bellotti, J.P. Grima.
Xewkija T : 3 (D. Bogdanovic 6’, C. Antunes 63’pen., 65’)
F. Vella, M. Gauci, M. Xerri (T. Vella), D. Sakic, O. Xuereb (T. Grech), J.M. Vella, M. Stojanovic, J. Cefai, G. Hili (J. Saliba), D. Bogdanovic, C.P. Antunes.
Gharb Rangers earned three precious points in their attempt to move away from the relegation zone from a 5-3 win over Xewkija Tigers. In this match Gharb confirmed their good moment of form and continued to be among the favourites to retain their division I status for another season. Gharb dictated matter throughout the encounter and made it very difficult to Xewkija to produce a reaction. Xewkija continued to show lack of motivation and ended up conceded the seventh defeat in the championship. In this match the main protagonist was Gharb’s striker Marcelo Barbosa who scored four personal goals and was also a continuous threat to Xewkija’s rearguard.
Gharb were very aggressive from the early stages and on six minutes a shot by Ardit Shkjau following a clearance by Xewkija’s defence ended wide. In the following action Xewkija surprised their opponents as Daniel Bogandovic opened the score with a lob over the goalkeeper following a through pas by Milos Stojanovic. Gharb were not demoralised and levelled the score on 12 minutes when Marcelo Barbosa received a pass from Michael Bezzina and the Brazilian striker placed in goal with a low shot. Xewkija replied on 16 minutes through a shot by Daniel Bogdanovic that was saved to a corner by goalie Daniel Spiteri. Gharb turned the result in their favour on 20 minutes when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Manwel Xerri on Marcelo Barbosa and the latter converted from the spot kick. Two minutes later Gharb’s Borja Polo Longarela had a good shot well saved by Xewkija’s goalie Franklin Vella. On 25 minutes Xewkija’s Claudio Antunes had an effort that was neutralised by goalie Daniel Spiteri and one minute later Gharb added another goal through Ardit Shkjau who took the ball when the goalkeeper was out of his position and deposited easily into an open goal. On 33 minutes a free kick by Xewkija’s Claudio Antunes ended high and less than a minute later Xewkija’s keeper partially saved with difficulty an effort by Michael Zerafa but form the resultant melee both Ardit Shkjau and Borja Polo Longarela failed to conclude towards goal. Gharb were again dangerous on 40 minutes with a personal action by Marcelo Barbosa but goalie Franklin Vella blocked the danger to a corner and three minutes later a shot by Ardit Shkjau from a good position ended high.
After the break Xewkija tried to produce a reaction. On 50 minutes a shot by Joseph Mario Vella ended away from Gharb’s goal and in another action on 55 minutes the Tigers went again close to scoring but Omar Xuereb’s shot from a good position missed the target, Xewkija were punished for the missed chances on 58 minutes when Gharb increased their lead through another fine finish by Marcelo Barbosa who was released by Michael Bezzina. One minute later a shot by Gharb’s Ardit Shkjau ended high and on 61 minutes Xewkija went very close to scoring but a close ranged attempt by Daniel Bogdanovic following a cross by Claudio Antunes was partially saved by Gharb’s keeper Daniel Spiteri and form the rebound the same Bogdanovic had his shot that ended high. One minute later Xewkija’s keeper Franklin Vella was well placed to neutralise an effort by Michael Bezzina. Xewkija were awarded a penalty on 63 minutes for a foul by Anthony Sultana on Claudio Antunes and the same striker reduced the deficit with his shot from the spot kick. Gharb seemed shocked on two minutes later Xewkija re-opened their chances to save the result when they scored the third goal through a fine header by Claudio Antunes following a cross by Daniel Bogdanovic. On 67 minutes Xewkija’s Milos Stojanovic had a good shot that ended wide. Gharb regained supremacy and on 72 minutes Xewkija’s keeper Franklin Vella was called to make a good save to turn to a corner a low shot by Marcelo Barbosa. Gharb sealed the victory on 76 minutes when Gharb’s defence cleared with some difficulty the ball from their area following a header by Claudio Antunes and form the resultant counter break Marcelo Barbosa concluded in goal with a low drive. Gharb could have added another goal on 82 minutes but a shot by Marcelo Barbosa was well saved by Xewkija’s goalie. The same goalkeeper was again called to make a good save on 90 minutes to block another attempt by Marcelo Barbosa so that the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.
Referee: Mario Apap
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