Handsome win for Ghajnsielem in opening match of the championship

DETAILS

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I

Gozo Stadium – 20 September 2019

Ghajnsielem FC : 5

Xaghra United FC : 1

13’ (1-0) Igor Nedeljkovic

51’ (2-0) Nemanja Stojanovic

60’ (3-0) Igor Nedeljkovic

66’ (4-0) Jhon Arboleda Valencia

76’ (4-1) penalty Joseph George Vella

83’ (5-1) Igor Nedeljkovic

Ghajnsielem FC:

Vella, J. Tabone, Al. Xuereb, D. Hili (I. Belhadj), An. Xuereb, N. Stojanovic, J. Arboleda Valencia, M. Bezzina, K. Grima (I.N. Belhadj), D. Bogdanovic (P.Nunez Del Castillo), I. Nedeljkovic.

Xaghra U:

Xuereb, K. Martins Ribeiro, S. Galea, K. Hili, J.G. Vella, J. Buttigieg, R. Ost Dos Santos, M. Mamo (S. Bonello), G. Farrugia (O. Pogukay), L. A. De Melo Lima, A.O. Macedo Neto (L.A. Gonzalo).

Referee: Mario Apap

SUMMARY

In the opening match of the BOV Gozo Football League first division championship 2019/2020, Ghajnsielem registered a 5-1 win over newly-promoted side Xaghra United and boosted their ambition to be among the most competitive sides of the top flight.  In this match, Ghajnsielem were seeking to take immediate revenge for the elimination conceded in the first round of the MFA’s FA Trophy at the expense of the same Xaghra. The Blacks had some changes in their starting line up where player-coach Daniel Bogdanovic had a prominent role in the continuous support to the striker, while Serbian striker Igor Nedeljkovic marked his debut in the Gozitan championship by scoring a hat-trick.

Ghajnsielem scored an early goal and administered their lead with authority until half time.  After the Break, the Blacks increased their pressure on Xaghra’s defence and made sure of the win by scoring on four other occasions.  In this match, Xaghra took the field with the ambition to obtain a positive result but they were shocked as soon as they conceded the first goal and did not manage to produce an effective reaction.  The Blues got demoralised as time passed by although they ended up scoring a consolation goal from a penalty.

TIMELINE

Ghajnsielem came out more aggressive and took command of the midfield at an early stage of the encounter

2’ Daniel Bogdanovic released Jhon Arboleda Valencia but the later saw his shot ending over the crossbar.

13’ (1-0) Daniel Bogdanovic took a free kick from the right flans and Igor Nedeljkovic met the ball at the first post and headed easily in goal

16’ Xaghra replied thrlugh a free kick by Jospeh George Vella that missed the target

20’ Ghajnsielem’s Igor Nedeljkovic had a good shot that was well saved by Xaghra’s keeper Lorjean Xuereb

29’ Ghajsnielem once again threatened Xaghra’s rear guard when a good shot by Damon Hili following a personal action was well blocked by central defender Kennedy Martins Ribeiro.

33’ a free kick by Xaghra’s Rodrigo Ost Dos Santos ended away from goal

38’ Ghajnsielem’s goalie Franklin Vella was called to make a good intervention to block a header by Antonio Orlando Macedo Neto following a free kick ta’ Rodrigo Ost Dos Santos.

39’ a shot by Ghajnsielem’s Igor Nedeljkovic following a counter break was stopped by the post

45’ a free kick by Daniel Bogdanovic was saved by Xaghra’s keeper Lorjen Xuereb with the aid of the crossbar and in the following action the same goalkeeper was well placed to save an effort directly from a corner by Nemanja Stojanovic

HT (1-0)

Xaghra continued to find it difficult to create danger within Ghajnsielem’s territory after the break.

50’ Ghajnsielem’s Damon Hili headed wide form an ideal position following a cross by Alberto Xuereb

51’ (2-0) Ghajnsielem’s Daniel Bogdanovic had a fine free kick that was partially saved by goalie Lorjean Xuereb and from the rebound Nemanja Stojanovic concluded in goal with an overhead kick.

54’ a free kick by Xaghra’s Kenny Hili was neutralised in two attempts by goalie Franklin Vella.

57’ Igor Nedeljkovic entered Xaghra’s territory but his fine strike was turned to a corner by goalie Lorjean Xuereb

60’ (3-0) Daniel Bogdanovic released Igor Nedeljkovic who entered the area and concluded past Xaghra’s keeper with a low drive towards the far post.

66’ (4-0) Ghajnsielem’s James Tabone headed inside the area from a corner kick by Michael Bezzina and Jhon Aarboleda Valencia concluded easily in goal with a low shot.

74’ Pablo Nunez Del Castillo, who came in as a substitute for Ghajnsielem, headed wide an inviting ball from a free kick by Alberto Xuereb.

75’ Xaghra awarded a penalty for handling by Alberto Xuereb following a melee in front of Ghajnsielem’s goal.

76’ (4-1) Joseph George Vella converted from the penalty spot with a low shot.

83’ (5-1) Jhon Arboleda Valencia entered Xaghar’s area and form his low cross Igor Nedeljkovic guided the ball easily in goal.

86’ Xaghra’s Rodrigo Ost Dos Santos could have capitalised better but his shot from outside the area ended just over Ghajnsielem’s goal.

FT (5-1)