Ghajnsielem defeat Xewkija with a goal in each half

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I
Gozo Stadium

Xewkija T : 0

F. Vella, J. Azzopardi (O. Xuereb), M. Gauci, M. Bamba, G. Hili (T. Vella), J.M. Vella, M. Stojanovic, S. Bajada, R. Buttigieg, D. Bogdanovic, C. Antunes.

Ghajnsielem : 2 (A. Oularbi 14’, L.A. De Melo Lima 64’)

J. Grech, An. Xuereb (R. Grima), D. Mercieca, L.A. De Melo Lima, K. Mercieca, Al. Xuereb, A. Oularbi, J.G. Vella (K. Grima), M.A. Morgon Filho, J.J. Sandobal Guarin.

Reigning champions Xewkija Tigers practically dropped out of the race for the title as they conceded an unexpected defeat by Ghajnsielem.  Xewkija were coming from a disappointing result in their previous match where they left the field empty hand form the direct clash against current leaders Victoria Hotspurs and were aiming to remain close to the top positions with a win from this encounter.  However, they found it extremely difficult to convert their territorial supremacy into scoring opportunities so that the Blacks grew in confidence as time passed by and clinched a deserved win with a goal scored in each half.  Ghajnsielem confirmed the improvement expressed in the previous matches and in this match they were determined to obtain a positive result in their efforts to move away from the red zone.

Xewkij tried to take command of play from the very beginning and in the third minute of play they went close to scoring but a header by Claudio Antunes following a cross by Rodney Buttigieg ended just high.  On 13 minutes Ghajnsielem replied through a strike by Alberto Xuereb that was saved to a corner with difficulty by goalie Franklin Vella and form the resultant corner action taken Joseph George Vella the defence failed to clear the danger and Ali Oularbi arrived on the ball and concluded in goal from close distance.  Xewkija were shocked and their reaction was sterile.  On 21 minutes a shot by Shaun Bajada was well neutralised by Ghajnsielem’s goalie Joseph Grech.  On 31 minutes Xewkija risked to commit an own goal when Joseph Mario Vella passed backwards badly when his goalkeeper was out of his position but the ball ended wide and from an unprotected goal.  The Blacks were again dangerous on 37 minutes when Luis Andre De Melo Lima took the ball from Xewkija’s defence but his effort was cleared to a corner by the goalkeeper.  During the final stages of the first half Xewkija tried to increase their efforts and on 41 minutes a curling shot by Daniel Bogdanovic following a cross by Rodney Buttigieg ended just over the crossbar and two minutes later the same Bogdanovic protested for a penalty when he ended on the floor in the area following a challenge with Ali Oularbi.

After the break Xewkija continued to struggle in their play after the break and on 46 minutes a shot by Claudio Antunes form a good position ended on the side of the net.  Four minutes later Ghajnsielem’s keeper Joseph Grech was well placed to save an effort by Rodney Buttigieg following a free kick by Shuan Bajada.  On 51 minutes the Blacks replied through a strike from outside the area by Ali Oularbi that missed the target and one minute later Xewkija’s Daniel Bogdanovic failed to connect from a good position following a cross by Milos Stojanovic.  Xewkija threatened again Ghajnsielem’s rear guard on 58 minutes through a shot by Gennaro Hili that ended away from goal.  On 63 minutes an effort by Ghajnsielem’s Luis Andre De Melo Lima was cleared of the line by the defence and the action ended in a corner.  From the same corner action a shot by Ali Oularbi was cleared off the line by Rodney Buttigieg and from the same action the ball arrived to an unmarked Luis Andre De Melo Lima who concluded in goal with a tap-in.  Xewkija were demoralised and on 66 minutes Ghajnsielem went close to increase their lead but a header by Luis Andre De Melo Lima following a cross by Alberto Xuereb was saved to a corner with difficulty by goalie Franklin Vella.  Xewkija’s best opportunity to reduce the deficit arrived in the first minute of stoppage time through a free kick by Daniel Bogdanovic that was well saved by goalie Joseph Grech.

Referee: Stefan Pace