Xewkija Held to a Draw

GFA BOV GFL Division I
Gozo Stadium

Xewkija T: 1    (T.M. Dos Santos 12’)

Sultana, M. Xerri, M. Hrubsa, J. Vella, J. Cefai, D. Bogdanovic, J.M. Vella, C. Farrugia, G. Hili, D. Shields, T.M. Dos Santos.

SK Victoria W: 1    (I. Grkajac 28’)

Vella, D. Mercieca, A.G. Attard, S.F. Bajada, S. Draskovic, I. Xuereb, P. Dordevic, I. Grkajac, J. Attard (E. Bugeja), O. Farrugia (N. Vella), M. Raskovic.

Xewkija Tigers and SK Victoria Wanderers shared the spoils in a draw of two goals in a match where Xewkija failed to express their usual offensive play as the Wanderers saw more of the ball and created more scoring opportunities.  The final score practically does not satisfy either team since Xewkija were aiming to win this encounter to remain consolidate their position among the top teams, while the Wanderers were aiming to register their first win in the championship.  Xewkija’s disappointing performance was saved by a series of important interventions by their goalkeeper Steve Sultana who denied Victoria from taking the lead mainly during the dying moments of the encounter.  On the other hand the Wanderers showed improvement from the previous two matches and seemed determined to make up for the two negative results.  However, despite their determination the Wanderers failed to convert their territorial supremacy into goals and only managed to earn a point from this encounter.

SK Victoria Wanderers were in a better shape during the opening minutes and held territorial supremacy during the opening minutes of the encounter.  The Citizens went also close to scoring on 9 minutes but Milanko Raskovic had his attempt that was blocked by goalie Steve Sultana.  Xewkija opened the score in their first action within Victoria’s area.  In the 12th minute Thiago Melo Dos Santos headed in goal from an angled position following a cross form the right flank by Dene Shields.  Xewkija tried to administer their lead but as time passed by Victoria regained some superiority in terms of possession and kept some pressure on Xewkija’s rear guard.  On 18 minutes Xewkija’s goalie Steve Sultana saved a close ranged header by Milanko Raskovic following a cross by Johann Attard and in the following action Xewkija had a cross shot by Daniel Bogdanovic that was saved by Victoria’s keeper Matthew Vella.  On 20 minutes a free kick by Victoria’s Predrag Dordevic was turned to a corner with some difficulty by goalie Steve Sultana and three minutes later the Wanderers almost levelled the score when Milanko Raskovic entered Xewkija’s area with a personal action on the right flank but his low cross aimed to an unmarked Igor Grkajac was cleared to a corner by central defender Josmar Vella with the goalkeeper beaten.  On 24 minutes a long ranged shot by Xewkija’s Daniel Bogdanovic missed the target and four minutes later the Wanderers scored the equaliser through a close ranged header by Igor Grkajac following a cross by Johann Attard.  On 37 minutes Xewkija protested for a foul as Dene Shields ended on the floor as he was entering the area following a challenge with an opponent and three minutes before the end of regular time of the first half Xewkija’s defender Josmar Vella risked an own goal when he hit badly in an attempt to clear the ball from the goalmouth following a cross by Johann Attard.

Play after the resumption was quite balanced but as time passed by the Wanderers took more command of play and during the final stages they also produced pressure on Xewkija’s defence.  On 48 minutes Victoria’s Oliver Farrugia headed high from close distance following a cross by Milanko Raskovic and one minute later Xewkija’s Dene Shields also lifted the ball over the crossbar with a header following a cross by Daniel Bogdanovic.  On 55 minutes Dene Shields failed to connect to a good cross by Daniel Bogdanovic and minutes later a free kick by Bogdanovic was blocked to a corner.  Xewkija’s goalie Steve Sultana neutralised a shit from outside the area by Predrag Dordevic on 59 minutes but the same keeper was called to make a more difficult intervention on 65 minutes to block an effort by Milanko Raskovic.  Xewkija’s goalie Steve Sultana confirmed his good moment of form during the final stages of the encounter with a series of important interventions to deny Victoria from taking the lead.  On 88 minutes Sultana saved a free kick by Milanko Raskovic and five minutes later the same keeper risked by keeping the ball in the area despite the pressure by two strikers.  Xewkija’s goalie saved the result for his side with a difficult intervention on 89 minutes to turn to a corner a low drive by Predrag Dordevic following a personal action.  Victoria’s last opportunity to clinch the victory arrived in the second minute of stoppage time but Igor Grkajac’s long ranged shot was neutralised by Xewkija’s goalie.

Referee: Clayton Pisani