Xewkija Turn a Defeat into a Victory with Late Goals

GFA BOV GFL DIVISION I
Gozo Stadium

Victoria H: 1       (S. Attard 68’)

Parnis, D. Farrugia, M. Bamba, J. Tabone, S. Attard (J. Portelli), O.I. Guobadia, K. Farrugia (M. Bezzina), C. Mercieca, J. Bajada, S. Gwar (J. Pace), L.R. Zome.

Xewkija T: 2       (M. Xerri 81’, D. Bogdanovic 90’)

Sultana, M. Xerri, M. Hrubsa, P. Buttigieg, J. Azzopardi, J. Cefai (P. Rapa), J.M. Vella (G. Hili, C. Farrugia), R. Buttigieg, D. Bogdanovic, D. Shields, T.M. Dos Santos.

In the last match of the first round of the championship, Victoria Hotspurs and Xewkija Tigers produced one of the most contested encounters of the championship so far where the final score remained uncertain until the final whistle.  The two sides also expressed their potential which is probably not reflected in the respective position of both Xewkija and Victoria on the currents standings.

The two sides needed the full points at stake in an attempt to make up for the defeats conceded in the previous match and to recover some ground from the teams who are leading the table.  The Hotspurs seemed more offensive in their play during the opening stages but as time passed by Xewkija gained momentum and started to share more play with their opponents.  The match was still at a stalemate after the hour mark but with various scoring opportunities at the two ends of the pitch.  The Hotspurs seemed heading towards an important win after scoring the opener midway through the second period but Xewkija had a determined reaction and turned the result in their favour with two goals scored in the final minutes of the encounter.  With the points obtained Xewkija may still be considered among the serious challengers as they are just five points away from the leaders but it has become extremely difficult for the Hotspurs to meet their ambitions set at the beginning of the season as they are twelve points away from the leaders and behind other five teams with a better placing on the table.

Victoria Hotspurs could have opened the score in the fifth minute of play but an attempt by Sibi Gwar was well saved by Xewkija’s goalie Steve Sultana.  Xewkija replied on 11 minutes through a header by Dene Shields from a free kick by Daniel Bogdanovic and Victoria’s central defender Moussa Bamba almost committed an own goal in an attempt to clear the danger but goalie Adrian Parnis was at the right placed and neutralised the situation.  The Hotspurs increased their efforts and on 20 minutes a strike by Jonathan Bajada ended wide.  One minute later Victoria’s Louis Rene Zome had an attempt when the goalkeeper was out of his position that ended high and on 29 minutes the same Zome released Sibi Gwar but the latter had his shot well saved to a corner by goalie Steve Sultana.  In another occasion on 33 minutes Victoria’s Jonathan Bajada passed to an unmarked Shaun Attard but the latter also concluded high from a good position and two minutes later a strike by Kevin Farrugia following an initiative by Louis Rene Zome ended over the crossbar.  On 36 minutes a low shot by Zome was saved by Xewkija’s keeper and one minute later another shot from outside the area by Jonathan Bajada ended high.  Xewkija had their best scoring opportunity of the first half on 43 minutes but Victoria’s keeper Adrian Parnis made a difficult save to block a strike by Rodney Buttigieg who was released by Thiago Melo Dos Santos.

After the resumption Xewkija were more aggressive and in the first minute of play of the second period they protested for a penalty as Thiago Melo Dos Santos ended on the floor in the area following a personal action.  On 52 minutes a shot by dene Shields following a through pass by Rodney Buttigieg ended just wide and the Hotspurs replied on 63 minutes when they also protested for a penalty when Louis Rene Zome ended on the floor inside the area following a challenge with the goalkeeper and ended up hitting the ball badly so that the defence cleared the danger.  The Hotspurs opened the score on 68 minutes when Louis Rene Zome entered the area from the right flank and from his low pass Shaun Attard fired the ball towards the upper corner of Xewkija’s goal.  Xewkija had an immediate reaction and on 74 minutes a shot by Martin Hrubsa was saved by Victoria’s keeper Adrian Parnis.  Two minutes later Xewkija’s Thiago Melo Dos Santos headed weak from close distance following an inviting cross by Dene Shields and the goalkeeper saved the danger without any difficulty.  Victoria’s keeper Adrian Parnis was again called to make a difficult save on 77 minutes to deny Dene Shields from scoring but on 81 minutes Xewkija levelled the score.  Victoria’s rear guard managed to block two consecutive attempt by Thiago Melo Dos Santos following a free kick by Daniel Bogdanovic and from the resultant melee Manwel Xerri concluded in goal.  Xewkija increased their efforts and on 86 m,inutes they could have score but an attempt by Daniel Bogdanovic following an action by dene Shields was blocked by the goalkeeper and from the resultant action Rodney Buttigieg’s shot on the run ended away from goal.  The match was practically decided on the stroke of regular time when Victoria’s Louis Rene Zome had a header following a free kick by substitute Jason Portelli that was well saved by goalie Steve Sultana and in the following action, Xewkija operated a counter break.  Daniel Bogdanovic entered Victoria’s area, turned around the goalkeeper at the edge of the area and placed the ball in goal with a low drive.  The Hotspurs tried to recover the deficit in the remaining minutes of stoppage time and in the first minute of additional time they protested for a penalty alleging handling in the area but the referee did not notice any infringement and the final score remained unchaged.

Referee: Clayton Pisani