Xewkija defeat Kercem and reach the semi-finals
BOV GFA Cup (Q/finals) Kercem Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 2
Kercem Ajax FC : 1
46’ (1-0) Stefan Tesic
73’ (2-0) Stefan Tesic
89’ (2-1) Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, J. Axiak, D. Bogdanovic, Jos. Buttigieg, A. Debrincat (M. Mercieca 46’), R. Buttigieg, A. Bozovic, D. Bugeja, D. Andelovic, C. Abela, S. Tesic.
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, D. Cassar, E. Caetano Pena, J. Theuma (J. Tabone 77), O.G. Fernandes, K.L. Nunes Santos, P. Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira, A. Mizzi, G. Cardona, K. Formosa (O.P. Bugeja 77), S. Azzopardi.
Xewkija Tigers obtained a 2-1 win over Kercem Ajax so that they managed to obtain a place with the last four teams in the second most important competition in Gozitan football. This was undoubtedly the most contested match from the quarter final stage of the competition as the two sides are struggling to gain confidence before the start of the second round of the championship.
In this match Kercem were more offensive than their opponents for long stretches but they were often erratic in their finishing and ended up committing two mistakes at their defence which Xewkija converted in the two goals that ended up deciding the issue. Kercem tried hard to recover the deficit during the final stages but they only scored their goal when there were few minutes left until the end of the encounter.
Timeline:
The two sides were very cautious during the first minutes of the encounter but as time passed by Kercem increased the momentum and took the initiative of play. Kercem however found it difficult to convert their offensive play in goals so that Xewkija were allowed to reorganise themselves and to remain in contention for the qualification.
12’ Kercem created a potential scoring opportunity when Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos delivered a cross from the right flank but Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira his badly from an unmarked position and goalie Nikola Kosanin saved without difficulty.
13’ The same goalkeeper was called to make a difficult intervention to block another attempt by Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira following a cross by Karl Formosa.
17’ (crossbar) Kercem went very close to open the score but an attempt directly from a free kick by Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes was stopped by the crossbar.
26’ Kercem missed a good opportunity to open the score when Xewkija’s defence failed to clear the ball from their area and Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos ended up in an ideal position to conclude but his attempt was well blocked by goalie Nikola Kosanin.
HT (1-0)
Second Half
Xewkija had an excellent start in the second period and scored following a mishap by the defence so that they grew in confidence and tied to administer the lead. The match continued to be quite interesting as Kercem recovered from the shock and tried hard to recover the deficit, while Xewkija took advantage of some open gaps and were dangerous through counter breaks.
1’ (1-0) Xewkija took the lead after just 15 seconds of play into the second period when Kercem’s goalie hit badly in an attempt to pass the ball to the central defender and Xewkija’s Stefan Tesic intercepted and placed easily into an open goal.
7’ Kercem replied with an effort from close distance by Ewerthon Caetano Pena following a free kick by Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes that was saved by goalie Nikola Kosanin.
23’ Kercem threatened Xewkija’s rear guard with a shot from long distance by Jason Theuma but the ball ended away from goal.
25’ (goal disallowed) Kercem’s striker Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos concluded in the net from close distance but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.
28’ (2-0) Kercem were punished for the missed chances as Xewkija doubled the score when Kercem’s goalie and the central defender failed to clear the ball from their territory and Stefan Tesic took to ball and concluded easily into an open goal.
36’ Kercem could have re-opened the issue but a header by Andrew Mizzi from a corner kick by substitute Owen Peter Bugeja ended high.
39’ In another occasion Kercem could have created more danger but an attempt directly from a free kick by Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira ended over the crossbar.
44’ (2-1) Kercem reduced the score when Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes delivered a cross from the left flank and Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos headed in the corner of the net with a fine elevation.
45+1’ Kercem were again dangerous but a header by Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes following a cross by Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira ended just high.
FT (XT 2 – KA 1)
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Assistant Referees: Duncan Spencer, Robert Curtis
0 Comments