11 February 2023
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 11) Kercem Arkafort Stadium
Gharb Rangers FC: 1
Munxar Falcons FC: 2
42’ (0-1) Gabriel Sillato
53’ (red card) Justin Agius (GR)
66’ (1-1) Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza
68’ (1-2) Henry Fabian Solis
Gharb R:
E. Bajada, S. Farrugia, C. Cutajar, C. Cardona, C. Debrincat, R. Portelli, J. Buttigieg, V.G. Soarez Souza, J. Agius, O. Calleja, N. Attard.
Munxar F:
D. Galea, A. Buttigieg, R. Meilak, S. Farrugia, H.F. Solis, M. Zerafa, M. Debrincat, G. Sillato, D.C. Njoku, A. Zammit (J.K. Farrugia), M. Farrugia.
Munxar Falcons earned three very important points from a 2-1 win over Gharb Rangers so they extend a good moment of form which saw them establishing a comfortable mid-table position and sharing third place with Zebbug Rovers.
The two sides came out for this encounter with an ambition to obtain a win as the previous two matches from the other two rounds of the campaign ended in two draws with an identical score of 2-2. Gharb seemed motivated to register their first win in the league but they were punished for the missed chances as they allowed their opponents to take the lead and also to take the driving seat for most of the second period.
Munxar however were rewarded for their prudent approach as they managed to resist Gharb’s pressure during the opening stages and also produced an immediate reaction when they conceded Gharb’s equaliser that arrived during a period when the opponents were playing with a player less in the field. Munxar made very good use of their experience as they managed to defend their one-goal lead until the final whistle.
Timeline:
Gharb seemed more motivated during the first half and produced continuous danger on Munxar’s goal. Gharb however missed some very good scoring opportunities so Munxar managed to remain in contention and surprised their opponents with a goal scored near the end of the first half.
3’ Munxar’s goalie was well placed and neutralised with some difficulty in an attempt from a good position by Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza.
19’ Gharb missed another good opportunity to open the score when Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza controlled the ball inside Munxar’s area from a throw-in. Still, the Brazilian striker saw his volley that ended just over the crossbar.
20’ The same striker could have put his side in the lead when he produced a personal action but his shot from close distance ended wide.
31’ Gharb’s Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza passed Munxar’s defence from the right flank but from his inviting pass, Cyriel Buttigieg failed to connect and the ball ended wide.
33’ (crossbar) The Rangers were unlucky when the crossbar stopped a close-range attempt by Carlos Cutajar following a corner kick by Cyriel Buttigieg.
36’ Munxar’s goalie was again called to make a difficult save to bock to a corner an effort by Cyriel Buttigieg.
37’ Gharb were again dangerous but an attempt by Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza following a corner kick by Christian Cardona was saved by Munxar’s keeper.
42’ (0-1) Munxar opened the score in their first attempt towards Gharb’s goal through a close-ranged shot by Gabriel Sillato following a free kick by Ryan Meilak.
43’ (protests for penalty) Gharb protested for a penalty when Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza ended up on the floor inside Munxar’s area as he tried to pass his direct opponent.
HT (0-1)
Second Half
For the second period, Munxar seemed more confident and was in a better position to administer the lead. Gharb was not demoralised and kept insisting to save the result despite playing for most of the second period with a player less.
8’ (red card) Gharb were reduced to ten players when central defender Justin Agius denied Ryan Meilak from entering the area in an open scoring opportunity.
12’ Munxar were again dangerous through a shot from outside the area by Ryan Meilak that ended high.
19’ Gharb were dangerous through an attempt directly from a free kick by Cyriel Buttigieg that ended just over the crossbar.
21’ (1-1) The Rangers levelled the score through a strike from a long distance by Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza that surprised Munxar’s goalkeeper.
23’ (1-2) Munxar regained the lead when Henry Fabian Solis entered Gharb’s territory and concluded in goal as he arrived alone in front of the goalkeeper, among protests from Gharb’s players who alleged that Munxar’s striker handled the ball before entering the area.
32’ Gharb’s goalie Etienne Bajada made a good save to turn to a corner a free kick by Henry Fabian Solis.
39’ Gharb went close to score the second equaliser but a shot from outside the area by Christian Cardona ended high.
40’ Gharb were again dangerous through a lob by Cyriel Buttigieg when Munxar’s goalie was outside his position but the ball ended wide.
45+1’ Gharb had their last opportunity to level the score but a header by Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza following a free kick was blocked in front of the goalmouth and from the rebound, the attempt by Cyriel Buttigieg ended wide.
FT (GR 1 – MF 2)
Referee: Nikola Dordevic
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