Nadur regain the top spot

2 October 2022

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I (MD 5) Gozo Stadium

Nadur Youngsters FC : 2

Qala Saints FC : 0

37’ (1-0) Lucas Baretto Da Silva

79’ (2-0) Gennaro Hili

Nadur Y:

S. Sultana, L.B. Da Silva, M. Tabone, I. Xuereb, J.M. Vella (M.P. Camilleri), J. Zammit (J. Xerri), M. Jr. Barbosa, I. Nedeljkovic, G. Hili, G. Farrugia (G. Muscat), P. Dordevic.

Qala S:

F. Vella, L. Grima, Jsph. Buttigieg (J. Xerri), J.V. Ferrari Silva, M. Buttigieg, J.Y. Suzuki Bicudo (C. Caruana), Jsh. Buttigieg (N.C. Njoku), A. Carvalho (L. Attard), E. Buttigieg (K. Mifsud), J. Parnis, R.C. Prudente.

Nadur Youngsters scored a goal in each half of the match against Qala Saints so that they recovered from the defeat conceded in their previous match and moved over the same Qala to take sole leadership on the table.  This was a direct clash for the top position as Qala were without a defeat after four matches and ended Match Day 4 as co-leaders with Kercem Ajax, while Nadur had a perfect start in the first three matches but conceded an unexpected defeat in their fourth match.  

The match turned out into an interesting encounter where Nadur insisted to obtain the win while Qala were worthy opponents and for most of the time, they were in contention to obtain a positive result which could have left them at the top of the table, with a one-point lead over the same Nadur and still undefeated.  However, Nadur’s experience prevailed with goals that arrived in crucial moments as the Youngsters opened the score a few minutes before halftime and practice, they put their minds at rest from the win with a second goal scored during the final stages.

The win for the reigning champions however was hard-earned as they struggled to score and suffered for some time Qala’s reaction, particularly before the break when the Saints claimed a penalty and during most of the second period when the Maroons added their pressure in an attempt to recover the deficit.  The outcome of the encounter indicates that Nadur still have to adjust their methods of offensive play in order to convert their play into effective danger on their opponents, and on the other hand Qala confirmed their determination to be competitive on their return to the top flight and that they have the potential to challenge for a place among the top teams on the table.

Timeline

Nadur, as expected, took command of play from the first minute of play but Qala made it extremely difficult for their opponents to conclude towards the goal so the actions at the two ends of the field were very rare.  Nadur managed to take the break with a one-goal lead that arrived through a shot from outside the area near the end of the first half and also got away without any consequences when Qala protested for a penalty second from the end of regular time of the first period.

5’ Qala’s Ayesller Carvalho had an attempt directly from a free kick that was saved to a corner by goalie Steve Sultana.

37’ (1-0) Nadur opened the score with a goal that arrived through a long-ranged low shot by Lucas Baretto Da Silva that surprised the goalkeeper with the ball hitting the base of the post before ending in the net.

44’ (protests for penalty) Qala protested for a penalty when Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo tried to pass inside Nadur’s area but ended on the floor following a challenge with Ian Xuereb but the referee did not notice any infringement.

HT (1-0)

Second Half

Nadur continued to administer their lead during the second period while Qala tried to maintain their deployment at their defence but increased their efforts as time passed by in an attempt to recover the deficit.  The match thus continued to be contested mainly in the midfield for most of the second half but during the last part of the encounter became more exciting with the two sides creating more danger.   and Nadur managed to score the second goal that practically decided the issue.

19’ Nadur could have created more danger when Marcelo Barbosa delivered a cross inside the area from the left flank but Predrag Dordevic headed badly and the ball ended away from goal.

25’ Qala went very close to scoring but a header by Joao Vitor Ferrari Silva following a cross by Lawrence Grima was neutralised by goalie Steve Sultana.

27’ Nadur missed a good opportunity to double the lead but Igor Nedeljkovic lifted over the crossbar from a close distance after receiving from Marcelo Barbosa.

29’ Nadur were again dangerous when Marcelo Barbosa unmarked substitute Joseph Xerri but the latter had his shot from an angled position that was blocked by goalie Franklin Vella and from the rebound, central defender Joao Vitor Ferrari Silva cleared the danger to a corner.

34’ (2-0) Nadur increased their lead when Gennaro Hili took the ball in the midfield and surprised Qala’s goalie with a shot from a long distance.

39’ Qala’s goalie Franklin Vella denied Nadur from adding another goal when he deflected to a corner a strike from outside the area by Predrag Dordevic.

FT (NY 2 – QS 0)

Referee: Etienne Mangion