28 January 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 11) Gozo Stadium
Ghajnsielem FC : 0
Qala Saints FC : 3
7’ (0-1) Jordi Parnis
40’ (0-2) Nicholas Inguanez
90+3’ (0-3) Igor Nedeljkovic
Ghajnsielem:
L. Buttigieg (G. Parnis 90), Al. Xuereb, J.J. Padilla Vasquez, B. Da Cruz, N.I. Belhadj, Ant. Xuereb (K. Hili 81), G. Emmanuel, W. Hili, M.A. Scicluna (T. Sciberras 86), C.H. Da Silva Barbosa, D. Hili.
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez, J.V. Ferrari Silva, L.B. Da Silva, M. Buttigieg, C. Vella (N.C. Njoku 66), L.M. Dos Santos, E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis, C. Mercieca, I. Nedeljkovic.
Qala Saints recovered from a difficult period, which saw them giving away their leadership and falling five points behind Nadur Youngsters, with the points obtained from a deserved win over Ghajnsielem. Qala seemed determined from the beginning of this match and was the better side for long stretches. Qala scored two goals during the first half but they could have gone to the break with a larger margin as the striker missed some other very good open-scoring opportunities.
In this match, Qala expressed their strong potential which saw them establishing themselves among the top teams of the main championship in Gozo as they were well organised in all the departments on the field of play. Qala were very effective in attack as they created various scoring opportunities and at the same time, they managed to resist Ghajnsielem’s attempts to recover the deficit. Ghajnsielem tried hard to remain in contention to obtain a positive result but they were fragile in their defence and at the same time they were erratic in their finishing towards Qala’s goal. As a result, the outcome of the match was never in contention and the Maroons left the field of play with three deserved points.
Timeline:
Qala had a better start and scored a goal during the opening stages so they gained confidence and continued to express better play than their opponents.
7’ (0-1) The Maroons took the lead when Igor Nedeljkovic delivered a cross from the left flank and the ball arrived to an unmarked Jordi Parnis who saw his first shot that was blocked by the defence but the same striker netted from the rebound.
12’ Ghajnsielem could have created more danger but a low shot from close distance by Bruno Da Cruz ended wide.
16’ Qala’s defence was almost surprised and Nicholas Inguanez risked committing an own goal when he cleared the ball from the goalmouth but the goalkeeper recovered his position and saved the danger.
18’ Qala missed a good opportunity to add another goal when Lucas Mattheus Dois Santos released Lucas Baretto Da Silva but the latter saw his shot on the ruin that ended away from goal.
20’ Ghajnsielem were again dangerous when Godwin Emmanuel passed to Bruno Da Cruz but the latter had his shot that was well saved by Qala’s goalie Owen Attard.
26’ The Maroons missed another open scoring opportunity when Lucas Mattheus Dos Santos came face to face with Ghajnsielem’s keeper but the striker hit badly and the ball ended away from goal.
35’ Ghajnsielem’s goalie was well-placed and saved a good shot by Qala’s Christian Vella.
36’ (protests for penalty) Ghajnsielem protested for a penalty when Bruno Da Cruz ended up on the floor inside Qala’s area following a challenge with his direct opponent.
39’ Ghajnsielem’s goalie Luke Buttigieg was called to make a good save to neutralise a shot by Igor Nedeljkovic.
40’ (protests for penalty) Qala also protested for a penalty alleging handling when a cross by Jordi Parnis was blocked by the defence.
40’ (0-2) The Saints doubled their lead in the following action when Jordi Parnis crossed from the right flank following a short corner and Nicholas Inguanez headed in goal from close distance.
HT (0-2)
Second Half
Ghajnsielem tried to produce a reaction after the break and had some opportunities where they could have re-opened the issue but Qala were determined to protect their lead and managed to seal the win by scoring a third goal seconds away from the end of the encounter.
6’ Qala were dangerous when Christian Mercieca passed to Igor Nedeljkovic but the latter hit badly from a good position and goalie Luke Buttigieg saved without difficulty.
8’ Ghajnsielem had an attempt directly from a free kick by Bruno Da Cruz but the ball ended wide.
13’ Ghajnsielem’s goalie was called to make another good save to block a shot by Lucas Baretto Da Silva.
15’ Ghajnsielem missed a good opportunity to reduce the deficit when Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa had a low shot that was saved with difficulty in two attempts by Qala’s goalie Owen Attard.
24’ The same goalkeeper was at the right place and saved again with some difficulty an effort by Godwin Emmanuel.
25’ (goal disallowed) Ghajnsielem’s Godwin Emmanuel netted an inviting low cross by Bruno Da Cruz but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.
45+3’ (0-3) Qala made sure of the win by scoring the third goal that arrived following a break where Christian Mercieca released Igor Nedeljkovic, who entered the area and concluded in goal with a low shot.
FT (GHJ 0 – QS 3)
Referee: Slawomir Olucha
Assistant Referees: Jareth Grima, Raymond Tabone
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