Photo: Reno Rapa – GFA Super Cup Final Gozo Stadium
Ghajnsielem: 4 (R. Kooh Sohna 30’pen., K. Hili 38’, C. Camilleri 82’, J. Camilleri 90+3’) L. Buttigieg, A. Xuereb, F. Apap, A. Tramboo, K. Mercieca, E.P. Lattes, S. Cassar, K. Hili, C. Camilleri, J. Camilleri, R.A. Kooh Sohna. Xewkija
Tigers: 5 (D. Shields 55’, T.M. Dos Santos 60’, 79’; R. Buttigieg 62’, D. Bogdanovic 77’) S. Sultana, P. Buttigieg, M. Hrubsa, J. Vella (J. Azzopardi), R. Buttigieg, M. Xerri (J. Cefai), J.M. Vella (T. Vella), D. Bogdanovic, G. Hili, D. Shields, T.M. Dos Santos.
The football season in Gozo started with the final of the Super Cup contested by reigning champions Ghajnsielem and BOV GFA Cup winners of the previous season Xewkija Tigers. The two teams who were the main protagonists of the football season 2015/2016 confirmed that they are still aiming to be among the main challengers for the honours this season and produced a well contested encounter where each team prevailed over the other for a half each. The match was practically decided during the opening stages of the second period where Xewkija, who were trailing by two goals at the end of the first half, turned the result in their favour with three goals scored in the space of seven minutes.
As expected the match pulled a large crowd at the Gozo Stadium and the two teams also lived up to the expectations by producing offensive play that resulted in nine goals, a penalty that was missed and other good scoring attempts from the two sides. Xewkija’s win of this honour shows their character as they managed to come out of a difficult situation and through some tactical changes and an impressive collective effort the Tigers took full command of play and scored on five occasions. Xewkija, who had Jesmond Zammit as their new coach for this season, practically maintained most of the players from last season with the addition of Martin Hrubsa who was making a return for the club. Xewkija suffered from a weak midfield during the first half but after the break they redesigned the department and managed to take full control of play so that their strikers were in a position to express their full potential.
On the other hand Ghajnsielem had more changes from the team who won the championship last season. The Blacks have a new administration and a new coach Anthony Cremona. They had Emiliano Lattes, Rafael Kooh Sohna, Alex Tramboo, Chris Camilleri, John Camilleri and Stefan Cassar who were all making their debut while other signings were not utilised either due to injuries or due to official formalities which are not yet in order. Despite all these changes the Blacks were impressive during the first half as were well organised at their defensive department, produced good play at the midfield and were also extremely dangerous in attack. Thus, Ghajnsielem’s two goal lead at the end of the first round was well deserved and they seemed heading towards an easy win of the first honour of the season. However, the Blacks lost composure after the break and were suffered Xewkija’s comeback so that they compromised not only the result but also their positive performance of the first part of the match.
The reigning champions could have opened the score in the first minute of play but Kooh Sohna’s strike ended just over the crossbar. Xewkija had an immediate reply and less than a minute late Daniel Bogdanovic had a good shot that hit the crossbar and ended high. On 7 minutes Ghajnsielem’s Kooh Sohna was denied from scoring with a fine intervention by goalie Steve Sultana and two minutes later the same goalkeeper was called to make a difficult save following a shot from outside the area by Chris Camilleri. Xewkija replied on 13 minutes with a first timer by Daniel Bogdanovic that was following a cross by Thiago Melo Dos Santos was blocked by the defence with the goalkeeper beaten. Minutes later Ghajnsielem’s goal was at the right place to turn to a corner with some difficulty a cross-shot by Thiago Melo Dos Santos. Ghajnsielem, however, continued to express the better play and on 29 minutes Stefan Cassar produced a good move within Xewkija’s territory. Ghajnsielem’s midfielder had his attempt that was stopped by the post and from the rebound Kenny Hili won the ball but was floored in the area by Josmar Vella. The referee awarded a penalty and Rafael Kooh Sohna converted from the spot kick to put his side in the lead. Ghajnsielem kept insisting and on 38 minutes they doubled the score when Xewkija’s goalie Steve Sultana partially saved a strike by Chris Camilleri and from the rebound Kenny Hili concluded in goal.
After the resumption Ghajnsielem tried to maintain command of play but they failed to convert their superiority into goals. On 52 minutes Xewkija’s Thiago Melo Dos Santos ended on the floor in the area following a free kick by Daniel Bogdanovic, the referee awarded a penalty, and also disallowed Gennaro Hili’s goal that arrived after the whistle for the penalty, but Daniel Bogdanovic had his shot from the spot kick that was saved by Ghajnsielem’s goalie Luke Buttigieg. Xewkija were not demoralised for the missed chances but increased their efforts and on 55 minutes they managed to reduce the arrears through Dene Shields who netted from close distance following a cross by Daniel Bogdanovic. Ghajnsielem were shocked and on the hour mark Xewkija levelled the score through another close ranged shot, this time by Thiago Melo Dos Santos following an initiative from the right flank by Rodney Buttigieg. Xewkija were now in the driving seat and two minutes later they took the lead through a close ranged header by Rodney Buttigieg following a cross from long distance by Gennaro Hili. Ghajnsielem continued to suffer Xewkija’s play and on 73 minutes goalie Luke Buttigieg made a good intervention to save to a corner a free kick by Daniel Bogdanovic. Ghajnsielem replied through along ranged cross shot by John Camilleri that ended on the roof of the net and a shot by Chris Camilleri on 76 minutes that missed the target. Xewkija scored their fourth goal one minute later when Daniel Bogdanovic won a ball in the midfield and continued his personal action until his shot from the edge of the area got a deflection by the defence and ended in goal. On 79 minutes Xewkija also scored their fifth goal that arrived through a tap-in by Thiago Melo Dos Santos following a counter break by Dene Shields. Three minutes later Ghajnsielem reduced the deficit with a low shot by Chris Camilleri, after receiving from Kooh Sohna, that hit the base of the post and ended in goal. Xewkija could have added more goals but a strike by Gennaro Hili on 83 minutes ended just wide and three minutes later Ghajnsielem’s goalie Luke Buttigieg saved two consecutive attempts by Daniel Bogdanovic and dene Shields. On 90 minutes Ghajnsielem’s Emiliano Lattes had a shot from outside the area that ended just over the cross bar and in the third minute of stoppage time the Blacks managed to reduce their gap with their opponents to just one goal when Lattes had his attempt that was partially saved by goalie Steve Sultana and from the rebound John Camilleri placed in goal.
After the end of the match the GFA President Dr Samuel Azzopardi, together with GFA officials Tony Grech and George Cini, presented medals to all players, club officials and referees; and the Super Cup trophy to Xewkija’s captain and vice-captain Joseph Cefai and Josmar Vella.
Referee: Stefan Pace
Assistent Referees: Roberto Vella, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant
Photo: Anaca Photography
Photos: Anaca Photography
0 Comments