24 February 2023
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I: T/4 (MD 15) Gozo Stadium
Qala Saints FC: 1
Kercem Ajax FC : 3
14’ (0-1) penalty Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira
45’ (0-2) o.g. Joao Vitor Ferrari Silva
74’ (1-2) Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo
82’ (1-3) Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira
Qala S:
O. Attard, L. Grima (Jsh. Buttigieg), Jsph. Buttigieg, J.V. Ferrari Silva, M. Buttigieg (R. Conrado Prudente), J.Y. Suzuki Bicudo, A. Carvalho, S. Attard (M. Xerri), E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis, N.C. Njoku.
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, D. Cassar, L.H. Santana Motta, J. Theuma, B. Da Cruz, O. Rolovic, P. Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira, A. Mizzi, G. Cardona (N. Mercieca), K. Formosa (D. Hili), S. Azzopardi.
Kercem Ajax had an excellent start in the Top 4 phase and obtained three important points from a 3-1 win over Qala Saints. This was a direct clash for the second place on the table as the Saints had a one-point lead over the Ajax before this encounter and the two sides are still considered as contenders for the title by the current leaders Nadur Youngsters. With this result, Kercem become the main challengers to Nadur, while Qala suffered a setback as they ended in third place with eight points from the leaders.
Kercem’s win was well deserved as they were more determined and managed to keep control of the match throughout the encounter. The Ajax paved the way to the win with two goals scored during the first half so that after the break they resisted to Qala’s reaction and sealed the win by scoring a third goal near the end of the encounter. This match also confirmed the good moment of form of Ajax as they had an excellent recovery following the defeat conceded in the match of the second round against Nadur.
Timeline:
Kercem came out more aggressive for their match and during the opening stages they dominated their opponents. Qala produced a reaction after conceding an early goal but they struggled to create good scoring opportunities.
3’ Kercem’s Bruno Da Cruz had a good shot from outside the area that was well saved by goalie Owen Attard.
13’ (0-1) penalty Kercem were awarded a penalty for a foul by Martin Buttigieg on Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira and the same Brazilian striker converted from the spot kick.
19’ Qala replied through a strike from outside the area by Jordi Parnis but the ball ended away from the goal.
23’ Kercem could have created more danger but an effort by Gabriel Cardona after receiving from Bruno Da Cruz ended wide when the keeper was out of his position.
24’ The maroons replied with an attempt directly from a free kick by Ayesller Carvalho that ended away from goal.
33’ Kercem created danger when Pablo Vinicius Ferreira entered Qala’s area and came face to face with the goalkeeper but was denied from concluding towards the goal with a decisive intervention by skipper Emanuel Buttigieg.
42’ Qala’s keeper Owen Attard was again called into action to save with some difficulty a low shot by Pablo Vinicius Ferreira.
45’ (0-2) Kercem doubled their lead when Pablo Vinicius Ferreira tried to release Ognjen Rolovic inside Qala’s area and central defender Joao Vitor Ferrari Silva placed the ball behind his goalkeeper in an attempt to clear the ball to a corner.
HT (0-2)
Second Half
Qala was not demoralised and came out for the second period determined to recover the score. The match continued to be very interesting with various actions on goal at the two ends of the field of play.
4’ Kercem’s Bruno Da Cruz had a good shot that ended high.
6’ Qala’s Jordi Parnis had an attempt from a good position when he was also unmarked inside Kercem’s area that was deflected to a corner.
8’ The Ajax operated a counter break where Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira entered Qala’s territory, and turned around the goalkeeper but his low shot was blocked in front of the goalmouth by substitute Manwel Xerri.
10’ Kercem were again dangerous but a direct free kick by Bruno Da Cruz ended on the roof of the net.
12’ Qala’s Joao Vitor Ferrari Silva had a header from a corner action that was saved in two attempts by Kercem’s goalie Daniel Spiteri.
17’ Kercem’s goalie Daniel Spiteri was well placed and made a good save to block an effort by Suzuki Bicudo.
18’ In the following action the same goalkeeper was well placed and saved without difficulty a low shot from outside the area by Ayesller Carvalho.
18’ The Ajax replied with a cross-shot by Andrew Mizzi that ended high.
21’ Kercem’s goalie Daniel Spiteri was again called into action and saved to a corner a low shot from the edge of the area by Joseph Buttigieg.
29’ (1-2) Qala re-opened the issue when Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo received the ball on the left flank, entered the area and saw his low shot ending in goal despite the attempt of the goalkeeper to block the danger.
37’ (1-3) Kercem made sure of the win as they re-established the two-goal lead when Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira won the ball from the opponents in the midfield, entered Qala’s territory, turned around the goalkeeper and deposited easily into an open goal.
40’ The Maroons could have reduced the score but a header by Emanuel Buttigieg following a corner action ended wide.
45’ (post) Kercem went very close to add another goal when Andrew Mizzi released Ognjen Rolovic in a counter break but the latter saw his low drive that shaved the base of the post.
45+1’ Kercem had another opportunity to score another goal but a low shot from an angled position by Bruno Da Cruz ended wide.
FT (QS 1 – KA 3)
Referee: Ezekiel Barbara
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