Kercem, Ghajnsielem consolidate mid-table position

23 February 2024

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 14) Gozo Stadium

Kercem Ajax FC : 0

Ghajnsielem FC : 0

Kercem A:

G. Bugeja, D. Cassar, I. Barbosa Da Silva, J. Theuma, O.G. Fernandes, K.L. Nunes Santos, P. Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira, O.P. Bugeja, G. Cardona, K. Formosa, S. Azzopardi.

Ghajnsielem:

L. Buttigieg, Al. Xuereb, B. Da Cruz, N.I. Belhadj, Ant. Xuereb, G. Emmanuel, E. De Souza Santos Pereira, W. Hili, E. Grozdanov (K. Hili 83), M.A. Scicluna, C.H. Da Silva Barbosa.

Kercem Ajax and Ghajnsielem, who were both involved in the relegation zone at the end of the first round, ended the second round on a positive note as they earned a point each from a goalless draw.  With this result, the two teams remain on equal points occupying a safe mid-table position and with a good lead over the teams who are at the last two places on the table.

This match confirmed the progress registered by both Kercem and Ghjansielem during the seven matches of the second round as the two sides tried hard to obtain the win throughout the ninety minutes  Kercem and Ghajnsielem both created several potential scoring opportunities throughout the encounter and the win could have gone either way.  In the end, the final score represents the difficulties of the two sides in attack and also episodes of lack of attention by the respective defensive department which almost compromised the efforts of each side to obtain the win.

Timeline:

Kercem tried to take command of play during the opening minutes but Ghajnsielem resisted well and as time passed by they started to produce as much dangerous action as their opponents.

3’ Kercem could have scored an early goal when Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira passed to Kabut the latter hit badly from a good position and the ball ended away from the goal.

17’ The Ajax were again dangerous when Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes released Gabriel Cardona but his shot from close distance ended wide.

20’ Ghajnsielem should have capitalised from a fine move by Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa who crossed towards the goalmouth but Godwin Emmanuel failed to connect.

29’ Kercem missed another good scoring opportunity when a shot by Owen Peter Bugeja following a cross from the right was partially saved by Ghajnsielem’s goalie Luke Buttigieg but the strikers failed to take the rebound and the action was stopped for a foul on the goalkeeper.

31’ Kercem went again close to score when a first-timer by Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos following a cross from the right flank ended over the crossbar.

39’ Ghajnsielem’s goalie Luke Buttigieg was well placed and neutralised an effort by Kercem’s Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira.

41’ Ghajnsielem was dangerous through an attempt by Alberto Xuereb that was well saved by Kercem’s goalie Gaetano Bugeja.

43’ Kercem’s Pablo Vinicius De Morares Ferreira produced a personal action and entered Ghajnsielem’s area but his low shot aimed towards the far post ended just wide.

HT (0-0)

Second Half

The match continued to be well contested after the break as the two sides kept insisting to obtain a win.  The two sides produced good scoring opportunities so that the outcome remained uncertain until the final whistle of the referee. 

3’ Ghajnsielem’s Bruno Da Cruz had an attempt from a free kick that was neutralised by goalie Gaetano Bugeja.

16’ Kercem produced a spectacular action through an initiative by Karl Formosa who crossed from the left flank but the overhead kick by Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos was saved with difficulty to a corner by goalie Luke Buttigieg.

18’ Ghajnsielem replied with a dangerous attempt from close distance by Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa, following a cross from the left flank, that got a deflection and the ball ended in a corner.

31’ (post) Kercem went very close to open the score when Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira took the ball inside Ghajnsielem’s area following a cross from the right flank but his low shot was stopped by the post and from the rebound the defence cleared the danger to a corner.

37’ Ghajnsielem missed a good opportunity to take the lead when Claudio Henrique Da Silva delivered a low cross inside Kercem’s area but Alberto Xuereb saw his shot that ended wide.

38’ Ghajnsielem’s goalie Luke Buttigieg denied Kercem from scoring when he saved with some difficulty an effort by Owen Peter Bugeja following a corner action and the same goalkeeper recovered his position to clear the ball in time before Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes and Jason Theuma could conclude into an open goal.

42’ The same goalkeeper was again called to make an important intervention to block a shot by Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreria following a personal action.

FT (KA 0 – GHJ 0)

Referee: Darryl Agius

Assistant Referees: Reuben Spiteri Delicata, Patrick Falzon