Xewkija Move to the Second Place

GFA BOV GFL Division I
Sannat Ground

Xewkija T           :        2       (G. Hili 14’, 50’)
Sultana, M. Xerri, D. Sakic, P. Buttigieg, J. Azzoaprdi (I. Buttigieg), J.M. Vella, R. Buttigieg, M. Hrubsa, G. Hili, D. Bogdanovic (T. Vella), T.M. Dos Santos.

 Ghajnsielem      :        0
Buttigieg, A. Tramboo (S. Cassar), J.J. Sandoval Guarin, K. Hili (Al. Xuereb), E.D. Bilboa Zarate, C. Camilleri, An. Xuereb, E.P. Lattes, K. Mercieca, D. Hili, J. Camilleri.

Xewkija Tigers earned three precious points from their match against the reigning champions Ghajnsielem and with the points obtained they improved their placing on the table by two places at the expense of the same Ghajnsielem.  This was considered a direct clash between two teams who needed the three points to keep close to leaders Nadur Youngsters.  With this result, and the results of the other matches from the first match-day of the second round of the championship, the main challengers for the title are within a space of five points.

The two sides had some regular players missing for different reasons.  Ghajnsielem had central defender Ferdinando Apap missing due to a suspension and striker Rafael Kooh Sohna missing due an injury.  On the other hand Xewkija had striker Dene Shields missing since he was abroad for personal reasons and in this match they also lost the service of Daniel Bogdanovic after just ten minutes of play due to an injury and had to be hospitalised.

Xewkija’s win matured with a goal scored in the early stages of each half, a brace by Gennaro Hili that increased confidence in all Xewkija players who resisted to Ghajnsielem’s reaction throughout the encounter by means of an organised defence and a collective effort by all the players.

During the opening stages of the match Xewkija seemed more motivated and in the fifth minute of play an attempt by Gennaro Hili following a long action inside Ghajnsielem’s area hit the post.  Ghajnsielem replied two minutes later through a lob by Chris Camilleri that missed the target and on 11 minutes Xewkija’s Daniel Bogdanovic had to leave the pitch due to a serious injury following a challenge with the goalkeeper.  Xewkija however managed to open the score on 14 minutes when Ghajnsielem’s defence failed to clear the ball from the area and Gennaro Hili took the ball and placed it into an open goal.  The Blacks replied on 20 minutes through a free kick by Jon Jairo Sandoval Guarin that ended high.  Ghajnsielem found it difficult to express their ball possession into scoring opportunities and the closest that they went to score before the end of the first half was on 31 minutes through a strike by Emiliano lattes from outside the area that ended high and an attempt by John Camilleri three minutes later following a corner action that ended wide.  In the fourth minute of stoppage time before the break Xewkija could have scored when Martin Hrubsa won a ball in the midfield and ran towards the area but his attempt was blocked in time by defender Kenneth Mercieca.

In the third minute of play of the second period Xewkija were dangerous through a header by Rodney Buttigieg following a free kick by Joseph Mario Vella and two minutes later Xewkija doubled the score.  Thiago Melo Dos Santos operated a fast counter break and released Gennaro Hili who entered the area and deposited the ball in goal despite the challenge from two opponents.  Xewkija were now in the driving seat and continued to neutralise Ghajnsielem’s efforts to re-open the issue.  The Blacks seemed shocked and their first serious attempt towards Xewkija’s goal arrived on 65 minutes through a free kick by Emiliano lattes that was saved by goalie Steve Sultana.  The same goalkeeper was called to make an important intervention five minutes later and saved in two attempts a shot from the edge of the area by Jon Jairo Sandoval Guarin.  During the final stages Ghajnsielem increased their presence within Xewkija’s area and went close to re-open the issue on more than one occasions.  On 77 minutes a shot by Edison Bilboa Zarate was saved to a corner by goalie Steve Sultana and on 88 minutes an attempt by Jon Jairo Sandoval Guarin hit the crossbar.  From the resultant melee John Camilleri had an overhead kick that missed the target.  One minute later Xewkija’s goalie Steve Sultana denied Sandoval Guarin from reducing the deficit with a good save following a header by the central defender and in the second minute of stoppage time Xewkija could have sealed the victory when Thiago Melo Dos Santos operated a counter break but his attempt was blocked to a corner by goalie Luke Buttigieg.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant