Nadur back to winning ways

14 February 2021

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I – Match Day 7 Gozo Stadium

Sannat Lions FC : 0

Nadur Youngsters FC : 3

18’ (0-1) Marcelo Barbosa

66’ (0-2) Andrea Debrincat

70’ (0-3) Andrea Debrincat

Sannat L:

L. Xuereb, L.B. Da Silva, J. Zammit (P. Said), D. Hili, D. Borg (H. Muscat),  C. Vella (A. Azzopardi), M. Mifsud (J.P. Grima), J. Buttigieg, B. Said, H. Santa Rosa Cruz (N. Grima), F.J. Xuereb.

Nadur Youngsters:

S. Sultana, M. Tabone, L. Tabone, I. Xuereb, M. Barbosa, C. Camilleri (M.P. Camilleri), A. Debrincat (L. Atzori), G. Muscat, E.Bruno Domingos, C. Debono (O.P. Bugeja), G. Hili.

Nadur Youngsters recovered from the defeat conceded the previous weekend and obtained a 3-0 win to earn the three points at stake from their match against Sannat Lions.  For this match the Youngsters had Branko Nisevic who was leading the team as a coach for the first time as he was replacing Pasquale Centofanti.  The new coach made only one replacement from the previous formation and practically retained the same tactical deployment based on four defenders, a midfield with two offensive players such as Chris Camilleri and Ederson Bruno Domingos and the two strikers Marcelo Barbosa and Andrea Debrincat.  The latter also ended the protagonist for his side in the match against Sannat as he scored two goals after the break which put Nadur’s mind at rest from the win.

Despite the win over Sannat, the Youngsters still seemed insecure of their potential and once again they conceded some mistakes at their defence which could have compromised the outcome of the encounter.  Sannat tried to extend their good run in the championship by adopting a prudent approach and tried to surprise the reigning champions with counter breaks.  However, Sannat were often erratic in their final passes so that Nadur’s keeper was never called to make difficult interventions.

With this result Nadur regained the third spot on the table with just three points behind the leaders so that they remain among the serious contenders for the main honour in Gozitan football.  On the other hand Sannat did not suffer any serious consequences form this defeat as they are occupying a mid-table position and with a good lead over the teams involved in the red zone.

Timeline

Play during the opening minutes was quite interesting as Nadur struggled to take command of the midfield so that Sannat managed to protect their area and also operated some threatening breaks within Nadur’s territory.

2’ Sannat almost surprised Nadur when a cross by Brandon Said from the right flank was cleared badly by Ian Xuereb but Sannat’s striker Joseph Zammit missed the opportunity and the defence recovered in time to clear the danger form the goalmouth.

8’ Nadur replied through an effort by Ederson Bruno Domingos following a cross by Marcelo Barbosa that missed the target.

9’ The Youngsters had another attempt towards Sannat’s goal through a strike form outside the area by Chris Camilleri but the ball ended away from Sannat’s goal.

18’ (0-1) Nadur opened the score when Marcelo Barbosa tried to pass through Sannat’s defence with a personal action but was floored just before the striker entered the area.  From the resultant free kick the same Brazilian striker Marcelo Barbosa surprised the goalkeeper with a fine shot that ended in the corner of the net.

21’ Sannat went closest to level the score though a free kick by Joseph Zammit that ended just over Nadur’s goal.

26’ Nadur’s Marcelo Barbosa passed through Sannat’s rear guard with a personal action but his lob was saved with some difficulty by goalie Lorjean Xuereb.

28’ Nadur could have added a second goal but Luke Tabone failed to conclude form close distance following a free kick form the left flank.

Nadur continued to keep control of play but they did not manage to create serious danger towards Sannat’s goal.

39’ Nadur’s best opportunity to double the score before half time arrived through a shot by Ederson Bruno Domingos that ended high.

HT (0-1)

Sannat seemed more aggressive during the opening stages of the second period but Nadur were well organised at the defence and managed to resist to Sannat’s initiatives.  Nadur also took some advantage of more space within Sannat’s territory and were therefore more effective in their play.

4’ Nadur were unlucky when Gennaro Hili delivered a cross from the left flank towards the far post but a header by Gianluca Muscat was stopped by the crossbar.  From the rebound the ball fell to Nadur’s Andrea Debrincat who saw his close ranged attempt stopped by the crossbar so that the defence managed to clear the danger.

11’ Sannat’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb was well placed and neutralised without difficulty a free kick from long distance by Chris Camilleri.

16’ Nadur created another dangerous action through a personal action by Marcelo Barbosa who entered the area but his curling shot ended wide.

21’ (0-2) Nadaur scored their second goal when Marcelo Barbosa released Andrea Debrincat inside the area and the latter concluded in goal with a low shot.

23’ Sannat could have re-opened the issue when Hugo Santa Rosa Cruz was released with a through pass by Joseph Zammit, the Brazilian striker arrived on the ball before Nadur’s keeper but the lob aimed towards an open goal ended over the crossbar.

25’ (0-3) Nadur made sure of the win by scoring the third goal when Gianluca Muscat released Andrea Debrincat and the young striker surprised Sannat’s keeper with a fine shot form the edge of the area.

Sannat were demoralised and until the end of the match Nadur administered their lead without particular difficulties.

38’ Nadur’s substitute Owen Peter Bugeja could have added another goal but his shot following a pass by Marcelo Barbosa ended high.

45+2’ The same Owen Peter Bugeja had a good shot following a personal action but the ball missed the target.

FT (SL 0 – NY 3)

Referee: Andrea Sciriha