Wanderers reach the semi-finals with a win over Xaghra

12 November 2023

GFA Knock Out 1st Division (Q/finals) Kercem Stadium

Xaghra United FC : 0

SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 1

55’ (0-1) Junior Conceicao Cabral

89’ (red card) Leandro Almeida Da Silva (XU)

Xaghra U:

L. Xuereb, S. Galea (J. Bajada 72), L. Almeida Da Silva, L. Sultana, M. Bezzina (C. Camilleri 72), D Azzopardi, M. Mamo (C. Gauci 72), D. Mesa Pineros, M. Cordina, C.A. Diaz Arias, M.P. Camilleri (G. Debono).

SK Victoria W:

A. Parnis, A. Galiano Lazarini, K. Mercieca, M.V. Claudino Ramos (Choco), J. Conceicao Cabral, E. Zammit, C.S. Souza Da Silva (N. Vella 90+3), N. Grech, G. Farrugia, A. Touarha, O. Fenech (L. Fenech 68).

In the last match from the quarter-finals stage of the GFA Knock Out competition for the first division, SK Victoria Wanderers obtained a 1-0 win over Xaghra United and they will now face the leaders of the championship Qala Saints in the semi-finals.

This match was a clash between two teams who earned mixed results in their respective matches of the first round of the championship so they are currently both in a mid-table position and aiming to keep away from the red zone.  Xaghra United were undoubtedly he better side during the first half but the Wanderers managed to deny their opponents from converting their offensive play into good scoring opportunities and therefore retained their chances to win the qualification.  The Citizens improved their performance during the opening minutes of the second half and managed to score the goal that decided the issue.

Timeline:

Xaghra came out in a better shape and during the opening stages, they put pressure on Victoria’s defence. As time passed by the Wanderers managed to organise themselves better and managed to keep their opponents away from the danger area so that the two sides tried to put their heads ahead before the break.  However, the defensive departments prevailed over the respective strikers and the actions on goal were very rare.

10’ Xaghra created the first dangerous attempt towards goal through an initiative by Marlon Mamo who passed through Victoria’s defence but his shot from a good position ended just high.

34’ The Wanderers had their first attempt towards Xaghra’s goal through a shot from a long distance by Owen Fenech, but goalie Lorjean Xuereb was well placed and saved without difficulty.

HT (0-0)

Second Half

After the resumption, the Wanderers tried to increase their efforts and managed to take the lead at an early stage so that they gained confidence and continued to produce danger within Xaghra’s territory.  Xaghra managed to recover from the difficult moment and during the last part of the second period they produced a reaction in an attempt to recover the score.

4’ Victoria’s Aaron Touarha had a shot from outside the area that ended away from the goal.

6’ Xaghra replied through a header by Leandro Almeida Da Silva following a free kick by Matthias Cordina, but the ball ended wide. 

10’ (0-1) The Wanderers opened the score following a break by Emerson Zammit who entered the area, his cross was partially saved by goalie Lorjean Xuereb and from the rebound, Junior Conceicao Cabral fired in goal with a low shot.

13’ Victoria went very close to double the score but a header by Gabriel Farrugia from a corner kick by Caique Silvio Souza Da Silva, ended just wide.

30’ Xaghra could have created more danger but a shot from a good position by Daniel Mesa Pineros ended high.

40’ Xaghra’s Matthias Cordina had an opportunity to conclude towards goal from a free kick just outside Victoria’s area but his attempt missed the target.

43’ (red card) Xaghra were reduced to ten players when central defender Leandro Almeida Da Silva stopped Victoria’s Aaron Touarha from running alone towards Xaghra’s goal.

45+1 The Wanderers missed an opportunity to make sure of the win when Xaghra’s defence failed to clear the danger from their area and the ball arrived to an unmarked Aaron Touarha who concluded incredibly wide with an open goal at his mercy.

45+2’ Xaghra were dangerous through a shot from outside the area by Camilo Andres Diaz Arias that ended just high.

45+5’ (protests for penalty) Xaghra protested for a penalty alleging handling when Victoria’s defence was trying to clear the danger from their area.

45+7’ Victoria’s Emerson Zammit missed another good scoring opportunity when he came face to face with the goalkeeper but his low drive ended wide.

FT (XU 0 – SKVW 1)

Referee: Anthony Paul Vella

Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Patrick Falzon