19 November 2023
BOV GFA Cup (Q/final) Kercem Stadium
Qala Saints FC : 1
Victoria Hotspurs FC : 0
– abb. 46’ –
37’ (penalty missed – saved) Igor Nedeljkovic (QS)
37’ (1-0) Nathan Chukwudi Njoku
46’ (match abandoned)
Qala S:
M. Zammit, N. Inguanez, Jsph. Buttigieg, J.V. Ferrari Silva, L.B. Da Silva, M. Buttigieg, L.M. Dos Santos, E. Buttigieg, N.C. Njoku, J. Xerri, I. Nedeljkovic.
Victoria H:
K. Barbara, L. Grima, O. Cremona, L. Farrugia, S. Attard, D. Farrugia, D. Mercieca, Caruana, J.G. Vella, E.A. Da Silva, W. Valentim De Sousa.
The match from the quarter final stage of the BOV GFA Cup between the current leaders of the first division Qala Saints and the hot favourites for promotion from the lower category Victoria Hotspurs was abandoned at the beginning of the second half as the match officials decided that the conditions were not safe enough to allow for the encounter to continue. The decision was a consequence of an incident that happened in the 40th minute of the match when one of the assistant referees, who was on the side where Victoria’s supporters were sitting, was hit by a cigarettes coming from the stands during protests. The match at that point was suspended for some minutes but as the two sides came out for the second period, the match officials called the two captains in the dressing room and informed them that the match was being abandoned.
Until that the time, the match was well contested where Qala saw more of the ball and ended the first half with a one-goal lead. However, the Hotspurs seemed determined and were still aiming to be serious challengers for the qualification. At this point, the outcome of this match from the quarter final will have to be determined according to the decision on the abandonment of the encounter by the competent authorities.
Timeline:
The match was quite interesting for most of the first half as the two sides tried to put their heads in front at an early stage. However, Qala became more dangerous as time passed by and managed to take the break with a one goal lead that arrived from a penalty.
7’ Qala produced the first serious dangerous action when Nathan Chukwudi Njoku passed inside Victoria’s area but his low shot ended wide.
17’ Victoria’s goalie Kyle Barbara was well placed and blocked an attempt from close distance by Nathan Chukwudi Njoku.
18’ The Hotspurs replied with a shot by Elton Da Silva that was partially saved by goalie Mattia Zammit and from the rebound the effort by Joseph George Vella was blocked by the defence to a corner.
25’ Qala were again dangerous through an attempt directly from a free kick by Lucas Matheus Dos Santos that was well saved by
28’ The Maroons produced a good action through an initiative by Jamie Xerri but from his inviting pass, Igor Nedejkovic concluded incredibly wide from close distance.
29’ (protests for penalty) The Hotspurs protested for a penalty alleging handling when an attempt by Shaun Attard was blocked by the defence.
35’ Victoria’s goalie Kyle Barbara denied Qala from opening the score when he saved to a corner a low shot by Igor Nedeljkovic following a personal action.
36’ (1-0) penalty Qala were awarded a penalty for an intervention by Lawrence Grima on Igor Nedeljokvic but the same Serbian striker had his shot from the penalty spot that was partially saved by goalie Kyle Barbara and from the rebound Nathan Chukwudi Njoku concluded in goal with a low shot.
40’ (suspension) There was an accident away from the action when the second assistant referee was hit by a cigarette which came from the stand occupied by Victoria’s supporters. After a suspension of approximately 3 minutes, play continued until half time.
45+2’ & 45+3’ Victoria’s goalie was called to make two important saves in the space of one minute to block attempts by Joao Vitor Ferrari Silva from similar corner actions.
45+6’ The Hotspurs went very close to level the score but an effort by Wellington Valentim De Sousa was turned to a corner by goalie Mattia Zammit. From the resultant corner action the Hotspurs protested again for a penalty, alleging handling, but the referee did not notice any infringement.
HT (1-0)
Second Half
Play for the second period did not resume as the match was abandoned.
The referees did not come out for the second half, but called the two captains in the dressing room to inform them that they were not feeling safe to continue and abandoned the match.
Abb. 46’ (QS 1 – VH 0)
Referee: Andrea Naudi
Assistant Referees: Max-Lee Muscat, Patrick Falzon
0 Comments