23 February 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 14) Gozo Stadium
Oratory Youths FC: 1
Qala Saints FC : 3
12’ (0-`1) Lucas Matheus Dos Santos
23’ (1-1) Joshua Buttigieg
33’ (1-2) penalty Igor Nedeljkovic
83’ (1-3) Igor Nedeljkovic
Oratory Y:
A. Brignoli, P. Rapa, K. Farrugia, J. Buttigieg, L.B. Coca, O. Curmi (H. Muscat 46), A. Azzopardi, R.C. Prudente, R. Saliba, L.G. Santos Silva, R. Almeida Lopes.
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez (M. Xerri 55), Jsph. Buttigieg, J.V. Ferrari Silva, L.B. Da Silva, M. Buttigieg, L.M. Dos Santos, E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis, N.C. Njoku, C. Mercieca, I. Nedeljkovic.
Qala Saints recovered from the disappointing draw in their previous match and earned three precious points from a 3-1 win over bottom-placed Oratory Youths so that they ended the second round as the main challengers to Nadur Youngsters for the title.
The match turned out to be much more contested than expected as Qala found it extremely difficult to impose their superiority and for most of the time, they conceded Oratory’s reaction so that the final score remained uncertain until Qala scored their third goal a few minutes away from the end of regular time.
The two sides needed a win for different reasons as Qala and Oratory are involved in the tussles at the two ends of the standings. Qala are seeking to maintain pressure on the leaders while Oratory need points to re-open their chances to move away from the relegation zone. In the end, Qala were rewarded as they capitalised on their best scoring opportunities while Oratory were punished for committing mistakes in their defence and also for being erratic in their finishing.
Timeline:
Play for most of the first period was quite balanced where the two sides produced good scoring opportunities.
7’ Oratory threatened Qala’s defence through a direct free kick by Luis Gabriel Santos Silva that was well saved by goalie Owen Attard.
9’ Qala replied with a curling shot by Lucas Matheus Dos Santos but the ball ended wide.
12’ (0-1) Qala opened the score through a free kick by Lucas Matheus Da Silva with the ball hitting the post before crossing the fatal line.
19’ Oratory could have levelled the sore when Rafael Conrado Prudente headed inside Qala’s area from a corner action and the ball arrived to Rain Almeida Lopes who concluded incredibly wide from an ideal position.
23’ (1-1) Oratory levelled the score when Rian Almedia Lopes delivered a cross for the right flank and Joshua Buttigieg surprised the defence and the goalkeeper with a volley from close distance.
26’ Qala’s goalie Owen Attard was called to make a difficult save to turn to a corner a fine strike by Leonardo Bruno Coca following a personal action.
31’ (1-2) penalty Qala regained the lead when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by goalie Angelo Brignoli on Lucas Baretto Da Silva and Igor Nedeljkovic made no mistake with his shot from the penalty spot.
40’ (goal disallowed) Qala were again dangerous when a header by Joseph Buttigieg from a corner action hit the crossbar and from the rebound, Igor Nedeljkovic took the ball and placed it in the net but the goal was disallowed for handling by the same striker.
43’ Oratory’s goalie Angelo Brignoli was called to make a difficult intervention to block a shot by Lucas Mattheus Dos Santos and from the rebound, the defence cleared the danger.
44’ Qala kept insisting and was again dangerous through a shot by Igor Nedeljkovic but goalie Angelo Brignoli was again well-placed and saved the danger.
HT (1-2)
Second Half
Oratory came out more determined after the break and for most of the time, they created danger within Qala’s territory. However, Oratory failed to capitalise on their best chances so they ended up being punished near the end of the encounter as Qala made sure of the win by scoring the third goal.
4’ (crossbar) Oratory went very close to level the score for the second time but a shot from a free kick by Luis Gabriel Santos Silva was stopped by the crossbar.
6’ (protests for penalty) Oratory protested for a penalty when Rafael Conrado Prudente passed inside Qala’s area, his low cross was deflected by the defence among protests for a foul on the same striker and the ball arrived to Leonardo Bruno Coca who saw his shot well saved by goalie Owen Attard.
13’ (protests for penalty) Oratory protested again for a penalty when a shot by Joshua Buttigieg was blocked by the defence.
16’ Qala’s goalie Owen Attard was called to make a good save following a shot by Joshua Buttigieg after receiving from Rafael Conrado Prudente.
18’ Oratory threatened again Qala’s rearguard through a free kick by Luis Gabriel Santos Silva but once again Qala’s goalie was well-placed and saved the danger.
25’ Qala replied with an initiative by Igor Nedeljkovic who took the ball from the defence and released substitute Martin Buttigieg but the latter saw his strike that was turned to a corner by goalie Angelo Brignoli.
27’ Qala could have created more danger when a cross from the right by Igor Nedeljkovic arrived to an unmarked Lucas Mattheus Dos Santos but the latter headed badly from a close distance and the ball ended wide.
38’ (1-3) Qala sealed the win by scoring the third goal when Lucas Baretto Da Silva won a tussle with Oratory’s defender and Igor Nedeljkovic took the ball, entered the area and netted with a low drive.
45+2’ Qala went close to score another goal but a shot by substitute Christian Cardona was partially saved by goalie Anglo Brignoli and from the clearance by the defence Lucas Matheus Dos Santos had a shot that ended wide.
FT (OY 1 – QS 3)
Referee: Alex Johnson
Asst. Referees: Raiden Psaila, Paul Apap
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