Nadur obtain qualification to the KO final with a convincing win

8 March 2023

GFA Division I KO S/final 1 Gozo Stadium

Victoria Hotspurs FC : 1

Nadur Youngsters FC : 4

20’ (0-1) Lucas Baretto Da Silva

25’ (0-2) Marcelo Barbosa

42’ (0-3) Predrag Dordevic

80’ (0-4) Neil Mifsud

90+1’ (1-4) Andrea Debrincat

Victoria H:

K. Barbara, D.C. Kassekar, O.G. Fernandes, J. Azzopardi, B. Said, L. Farrugia, N. Inguanez (G. Borg), L. Mancuso Lemos Santos Ferreira, S. Sillato, A. Debrincat, C. Caruana (O. Cremona).

Nadur Y:

S. Sultana, L.B. Da Silva, M. Tabone, J. Zammit, M.P. Camilleri, M.Jr. Barbosa (J. Xerri), S. Cassar (M. Said), G. Farrugia, G. Muscat (P.P. Camilleri), I. Nedeljkovic, P. Dordevic (N. Mifsud).

Holders of the GFA Division I Knock Out competition Nadur Youngsters have the possibility to defend the Knock Out honour as they obtained the qualification to the final with a 4-1 win over Victoria Hotspurs in the first semi-final.

Nadur Youngsters lived up to the expectations as they were favourites to win the encounter since they were on course to become mathematically champions, while the Hotspurs struggled to avoid relegation.  Nadur practically ensured the win by scoring three goals during the first half so that they reduced their pressure after the break and administered their lead with authority.

Timeline:

Nadur took command of play from the first minutes of the encounter while Victoria found t extremely difficult to neutralise the pressure so the Youngsters scored three goals during the first half and paved the way to the qualification.

7’ Nadur had their first serious attempt towards Victoria’s goal from a free kick by Marcelo Barbosa but the ball ended high.

20’ (0-1) Nadur opened the score through a header by Lucas Baretto Da Silva from a free kick by Marcelo Barbosa that surprised Victoria’s rear guard.

25’ (0-2) The Youngsters doubled their lead when Marcelo Jr Barbosa controlled a ball within Victoria’s territory from a kick by Nadur’s keeper and the prolific striker lobbed into an open goal as the goalkeeper left his position in an attempt to block the danger.

31’ Nadur went close to add another goal but a shot by Marcelo Barbosa from a good position, after receiving from Igor Nedeljkovic, ended high.

42’ (0-3) The third goal for Nadur arrived following a prolonged action where Victoria’s defence could not go out of their area and at the end Igor Nedeljkovic released Predrag Dordevic who concluded in the net with a low shot.

HT (0-3)

Second Half

Nadur continued to dictate matters but reduced their intensity as they also introduced more young players who normally do not find much space to play in the matches of the championship.  On the other hand, the Hotspurs failed to take advantage and their reaction was sterile so that the outcome of the encounter was never in contention.

1’ Nadur could have created more danger but a shot by Stefan Cassar was weak and the ball ended wide.

2’ The Youngsters missed another good scoring opportunity when Joseph Zammit passed to Marcelo Barbosa but the latter hit badly and the ball ended away from the goal.

13’ Victoria’s goalie Kyle Barbara was well placed and partially saved a shot by Stefan Cassar, after taking possession from the opponents but the defence recovered and cleared the danger.

19’ The Hotspurs replied with a lob from a long distance by Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes that was easily neutralised by goalie Steve Sultana

23’ Nadur’s Predrag Dordevic also tried to surprise Victoria’s goalie with a lob from outside the area but the latter was well placed and saved the danger.

28’ The Youngsters were again dangerous but a shot by Marcelo Barbosa after exchanging the ball with Igor Nedeljkovic got a deflection to a corner by the defence.

35’ (0-4) Ndur added another goal when substitute Joseph Xerri unmarked substitute Neil Said and the latter fired in goal from close distance.

39’ Victoria went close to scoring through a shot from outside the area by substitute George Borg but the ball ended wide.

40’ The Hotspurs could have reduced the score but a shot by Brandon Said after receiving from Lucas Farrugia ended wide.

45+1’ (1-4) The Hotspurs scored their consolation goal when an attempt from a free kick by Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes was partially saved by goalie Steve Sultana and from the rebound, Andrea Debrincat arrived on the ball and concluded with a tap-in.

FT (VH 1 – NY 4)

Referee: Glen Tonna