18 February 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 13) Gozo Stadium
Nadur Youngsters FC : 0
Kercem Ajax FC : 0
Nadur Y:
S. Sultana, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, M. Tabone, M. Pereira Muniz, J.M. Vella, J. Zammit, S. Cassar, M. Said (B. Said 53), G. Hili, G. Muscat (K. Grima 53), J.V. De Oliveira Florencio (J. Xerri 53).
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, I. Barbosa Da Silva, J. Theuma, O.G. Fernandes, K.L. Nunes Santos, P. Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira, A. Mizzi, O.P. Bugeja, G. Cardona, K. Formosa, S. Azzopardi.
The current leaders of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division, and reigning champions Nadur Youngsters were held to a goalless draw by Kercem Ajax so that the former failed to extend their lead over their closest rivals while Kercem missed an opportunity to move to the third spot on the table. This was Nadur’s second consecutive draw in the championship, but on this occasion, the disappointing result did not have any consequences since their main challengers for the title Qala Saints were also held to a draw on the same Match-Day and therefore the Youngsters retained their three point lead over the Maroons.
The match turned out to be well-contested but with very few serious scoring opportunities so the win could have gone either way. Nadur, who had their prolific striker Marcelo Barbosa missing due to an injury and central defender Ian Xuereb who was not available for this match due to a suspension, found it extremely difficult to convert their offensive play into scoring opportunities and on some occasions they also committed some defensive mistakes which could have compromised the possibility to obtain at least a positive result. Kercem on the other hand expressed more motivation throughout the encounter and they were often more dangerous in their attempt than their more quoted opponents. However, the final result rewards the efforts of the two sides to achieve a positive result.
Timeline:
The match was well contested from the early stages as the two sides came but determined to obtain the win. Kercem however seemed more dangerous in their attempts but Nadur’s defence resisted well and the two sides took the break on a goalless draw.
12’ Nadur had their first attempt towards Kercem’s goal through a shot from outside the area by Stefan Cassar but the ball missed the target.
19’ The Ajax replied with a header from a good position by Jason Theuma following a cross from the left but the ball ended high.
21’ Kercem missed a good opportunity to take the lead when Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes delivered a cross from the right flank by the header by Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos ended over the crossbar.
30’ Nadur had their best scoring opportunity of the first half when Matthias Said passed inside Kercem’s area but his shot from an angled position ended on the side of the net.
33’ Kercem’s goalie Daniel Spiteri was well placed and saved without difficulty an effort from close distance by Joseph Zammit.
35’ The Ajax replied with a shot by Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes but the ball ended away from goal.
43’ Kercem threatened Nadur’s defence through Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira who produced a personal action but his final shot was well blocked by goalie Steve Sultana.
45+1’ The same Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira went very close to put his side in the lead but his low drive aimed towards the far post ended just wide.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
The match continued to be quite interesting after the break as both Nadur and Kercem increased their efforts in an attempt to obtain the win. However, both sides missed their best chances to score so the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.
7’ Nadur’s Joseph Zammit had an attempt directly from a free kick that ended high.
12’ Kercem’s Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos also tried to surprise the goalkeeper with a free kick but his shot ended over the crossbar.
18’ (post) Nadur went very close to opening the score when Kercem’s goalie Daniel Spiteri had bad timing to clear a free kick by Gennaro Hili but the header by Manwel Tabone was stopped by the post. The same Tabone took the ball but his shot from close distance was blocked to a corner by the defence.
19’ Nadur’s Manwel Tabone had another opportunity to open the score but his header from a corner action ended high.
26’ Nadur’s goalie Steve Sultana made the best save of the afternoon when he managed to block a strike from outside the area by Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira when Nadur’s rearguard was exposed.
36’ Nadur’s Joseph Zammit passed inside Kercem’s area but his low shot was neutralised by goalie Daniel Spiteri.
39’ Nadur could have created more danger but an attempt from a free kick by Marcelo Pereira Muniz ended wide.
40’ Kercem missed a good opportunity to score a goal that could have earned them the full points at stake when Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira released Gabriel Cardona inside Nadur’s area but the latter hesitated to conclude and allowed the defence to recover so that the young striker saw his shot that was blocked to a corner.
FT (NY 0 – KA 0)
Referee: Daniel Portelli
Asst. Referees: Duncan Sultana, Max-Lee Muscat
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