8 October 2023
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 5) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 0
Qala Saints FC: 1
5’ (0-1) Lucas Baretto Da Silva
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, J. Axiak, Jo. Vella, D. Bogdanovic (M. Bonnici 17, Ju. Vella 77), M. Mercieca, A.
Debrincat (J. Buttigieg 66), R. Buttigieg, A. Bozovic, D. Andelovic, C. Abela (S. Xuereb 46), S.
Tesic.
Qala S:
O. Attard, Joseph. Buttigieg, J.V. Ferrari Silva, L.B. Da Silva, M. Buttigieg, C. Vella, L.M. Dos
Santos, E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis, N.C. Njoku (S. Curmi 90+2), M. Xerri.
Xewkija Tigers missed an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table as they left the
field of play after their match against Qala Saints empty-handed.
Xewkija were coming from a series of four consecutive positive results including three wins and
were undoubtedly the team who impressed most during the first part of the campaign, while
Qala Saints, who had striker Igor Nedeljkovic missing due to a suspension, had an inconsistent
start in the championship and were expected to find it very difficult to obtain points from their
match against the leaders. However, Qala was determined to consolidate the performance
expressed in their previous match and surprised their opponents with a goal scored at an early
stage so that they took the driving seat and defended the result until the end of the encounter.
Qala’s win was deserved as they were well organised throughout the ninety minutes and denied
Xewkija from producing serious danger towards their goal. With this result, Qala made up for
their difficult start in the championship and moved up to second place on the table with just
one point behind the same Xewkija.
The outcome of this encounter was very disappointing for Xewkija not only in terms of the result
but more than that because they failed to show character and produce a convincing reaction. At
The result of this match, and the results of the other matches from Match-Day 5, leaves
the first four teams on the table within a gap of three points so that the race for the title is turning
out to be much more contested than expected.
Timeline:
Qala had a better start in this match and surprised Xewkija during the first minutes of play with
a goal from a set piece. Xewkija struggled to produce a reaction while Qala consolidated their
midfield so that they kept control of their one-goal lead and the actions on goal were rare.
5’ (0-1) Qala opened the score when Lucas Matheus Dos Santos delivered the ball towards the
the first post from a free kick at an angled position and Lucas Baretto Da Silva surprised the
defence and the goalkeeper with a back-heel so that the ball ended in goal.
39’ Qala were again dangerous through a strike by Lucas Matheus Dos Santos that was
partially saved by Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin and the defence cleared the danger from
their area with some difficulty.
42’ Xewkija’s best opportunity to score in the first half arrived through an attempt directly from a
free kick from a long distance by Damir Andelovic but Qala’s goalie Owen Attard was well-placed
and neutralised the danger.
HT (0-1)
Second Half
Xewkija tried to increase their efforts after the resumption but Qala seemed confident and the
two sides found it hard to produce serious scoring opportunities. Most of the time the
Maroons managed to keep the danger away from their area and in the meantime they
threatened their opponents with sporadic breaks.
23’ Xewkija were again dangerous through a direct free kick by Damir Andelovic, but Qala’s
goalie Owen Attard made a difficult save to block the ball and saved the danger to a corner.
29’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin was in the right place and saved without difficulty a low
shot by Lucas Baretto Da Silva.
31’ The same goalkeeper kept his side in contention and left his position in time to save in two
attempts at the edge of his area to deny Nathan Chukwudi Njoku from concluding towards goal
after he was released by Martin Buttigieg.
36’ Xewkija could have created more danger but an attempt from a free kick by Damir Andelovic
was weak and goalie Owen Attard saved without difficulty.
41’ Qala should have made sure of the win when Lucas Matheus Da Silva was released in a
counter break by Manwel Xerri, but the Brazilian striker saw his lob over the goalkeeper that
ended over the crossbar.
45’ Xewkija’s last opportunity to save the result arrived through a shot from outside the area by
Rodney Buttigieg but the ball ended away from goal.
45+5’ Xewkija could have capitalised better when Qala’s rear guard hesitated to clear the ball
from their area following a cross from the right flank but Stefan Tesic failed to connect from an
ideal position.
FT (XT 0 – QS 1)
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Assistant Referees: Duncan Spencer, Paul Apap
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