19 February 2022
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I (MD 13) Gozo Stadium
Ghajnsielem FC : 2
Xewkija Tigers FC : 1
23’ (1-0) Igor Nedeljkovic
26’ (1-1) penalty Elton Aleksandre Da Silva
49’ (red card) Dylan Mercieca (XT)
63’ (red card) Alberto Xuereb (GHJ)
67’ (2-1) penalty Igor Nedeljkovic
Ghajnsielem FC:
A. Parnis, K. Borg, Al. Xuereb, D. Farrugia, S.F. Bajada (J. De Souza Ferreira), S. Attard, M. Bezzina (K. Mercieca), R. Watanabe (De. Bogdanovic), L. Grima, I. Nedeljkovic, J. Camilleri (K. Grima).
Xewkija T:
K. Attard, M. Mercieca, (M. Dingli) J. Buttigieg, R. Buttigieg, O. Xuereb (J. Axiak), D. Mercieca, M Hrubsa, E.P. Lattes, J.G. Vella (S. Xuereb), E.A. Da Silva, C. Abela.
In the last match from Match-Day 13, Ghajnsielem returned to winning ways after earning just one point from their previous two matches as they defeated Xewkija Tigers with the odd goal from three so that they regained the second position on the table and retained their one-point lead over the other contenders for the runners-up position Kercem Ajax.
This was an important match for the two sides as they both were aiming to earn the three points at stake. The Blacks needed the win from this encounter to regain their status as one of the top teams in the championship, while Xewkija needed points to move away from the relegation zone. Ghajnsielem saw more of the ball for most of the encounter but failed to open a lead which could have put their minds at rest from the win. Xewkija had Daniel Bogdanovic, who was Ghajnsielem’s coach until the end of January, on the bench as the team manager and apart from some changes from their typical formation they showed great determination in their approach and remained in contention for a positive result until the final whistle.
For this match, Ghajnsielem had their prolific striker Igor Nedeljkovic back in the starting line-up after a three-match suspension but were again without the other striker Jhon Arboleda Valencia who is still missing due to a serious injury. Moreover, the other veteran striker John Camilleri had to leave the field of play after a few minutes due to an injury. On the other hand, Xewkija had Haruna Shodija Shola missing due to suspension and were therefore dependent on Elton Da Silva to create serious danger towards Ghajnsielem’s goal. The match was practically decided with episodes that took place during the first part of the second period when both Xewkija and Ghajnsieem had a player each who was sent off and midway through the second half Ghajnsielem scored the winning goal from a penalty.
Timeline
Ghajnsielem tried to take command of play from the early stages but Xewkija were in good shape and managed to defend well and also found the opportunities to operate sporadic breaks so that for most of the first period e the match was quite interesting.
4’ Xewkija could have scored an early goal when Ghajnsielem’s defence failed to clear the ball from outside the area and Matthias Mercieca took advantage, entered the area but his shot from an ideal position ended high.
13’ The Tigers were again dangerous when Emiliano Lattes released Elton Da Silva and the latter turned around his direct opponent but had his low shot well saved by goalie Adrian Parnis.
14’ Xewkija’s defence risked committing an own goal when a clearance by Martin Hrubsa was blocked by Ghajnsielem’s Sam Frank Bajada but the ball ended inches away from goal.
23’ (1-0) Ghajnsielem broke the deadlock through a direct free kick by Igor Nedeljkovic, who was making a return after a three-match suspension, which ended out of the reach of Xewkija’s goalie Kyle Attard.
25’ (1-1) penalty Xewkija had an immediate reaction and levelled the score from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Shaun Attard on Matthias Mercieca that was converted by Elton Da Silva.
31’ Ghajnsielem should have regained the lead when substitute Kurt Grima delivered a low cross inside Xewkija’s area but the attempt by Shaun Attard was blocked by the defence and from the rebound, the shot from close distance by Ryota Watanabe was saved by the goalkeeper.
37’ (protests for penalty) Xewkija protested for a penalty when Elton Da Silva ended on the floor inside Ghajnsielem’s area following a challenge with defender Keith Borg.
43’ Ghajnsielem’s Igor Nedeljkovic had an attempt directly from a free-kick that ended high.
HT (1-1)
Second Half
Play continued to be well contested after the resumption as Ghajnsielem increased their efforts in an attempt to regain the lead while Xewkija continued to seem determined to obtain a positive result despite having a player less on the field for most of the second half.
4’ (red card) Xewkija were reduced to ten players when Dylan Mercieca was shown a straight red card for a rough tackle in the midfield on Sam Frank Bajada.
11’ Xewkija almost surprised the Blacks but a header by Elton Da Silva following a free-kick from long distance by Joseph George Vella was stopped by the crossbar.
18’ (red card) Ghajnsielem were also reduced to ten players as Alberto Xuereb was sent off for retaliation
20’ (protests for penalty) Ghajniselem protested for a penalty when Ryota Watanabe ended on the floor as soon as he entered the area but Ghajnsielem’s striker was cautioned for simulation.
22’ (2-1) penalty Ghajnsielem regained the lead from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Carlos Abela on Igor Nedeljkovic and the same striker netted his shot from the spot-kick.
24’ Ghajnsielem’s Michael Bezzina had a shot from outside the area that ended wide.
26’ The Blacks kept insisting and a strike from outside the area by Daniel Farrugia ended away from goal.
29’ Xewkija’s goalie Kyle Attard was called to make a difficult intervention to save a shot by Shaun Attard.
32’ Xewkija replied with good action but Rodney Buttigieg was incredibly headed wide with an open goal at his mercy following a cross by Joseph George Vella.
33’ In another offensive action by the Blacks a shot from close distance by Ryota Watanabe was well saved by Xewkija’s goalie.
39’ Ghajnsielem’s Kurt Grima delivered an inviting cross from the right flank but substitute Kenneth Mercieca failed to conclude from close distance.
45’ Ghajnsielem could have made sure of the win but a header by Igor Nedeljkovic following a cross from the right flank by Shaun Attard ended wide.
FT (GHJ 2 – XT 1)
Referee: Stefan Pace
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