15 March 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 17) Gozo Stadium
Ghajnsielem FC : 1
Xewkija Tigers FC : 0
81’ (1-0) Godwin Emmanuel
Ghajnsielem:
L. Buttigieg, M. Ciangura, Al. Xuereb, K. Hili (M.A. Scicluna 72), N.I. Belhadj, Ant. Xuereb, G. Emmanuel, E. De Souza Santos Pereira, W. Hili, C.H. Da Silva Barbosa, D. Hili.
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, Js. Vella, D. Bogdanovic, M. Mercieca (A. Debrincat 77), J. Buttigieg, R. Buttigieg, A. Bozovic, C.D. Frances, M. Bonnici (D. Bugeja 70), B.A. Parada, C. Abela.
Ghajnsielem registered a close win over Xewkija Tigers and with the points obtained, they extended their lead over the teams who were at risk of ending up in the relegation zone so that they practically achieved their main objective of the season at an earlier stage than expected. On the other hand, the defeat for Xewkija was quite disappointing as they were coming from an impressive win against the leaders in their previous match and they could have consolidated their third spot on the table with a win from this encounter.
The match between Ghajnsielem and Xewkija was quite contested with various opportunities at the two ends of the field and where the win could have gone either way. Ghajnsielem, who had Bruno Da Cruz missing for this match due to a suspension, managed to obtain the full points at stake with a goal that arrived nine minutes away from the end of regular time.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
The two teams took the field of play determined to take command of play but the two defensive departments were often in control of the respective strikers and the first half ended in a deadlock.
3’ Ghajnsielem could have scored an early goal when Alberto Xuereb released Eriks De Souza Santos Pereira but the latter concluded high from a close distance.
4’ Xewkija replied with a low cross towards the far post by Matthias Mercieca but two consecutive attempts from close distance by Brian Alejandro Parada and Claudio Daniel Frances were blocked by the defence.
35’ Xewkija once again threatened Ghajnsielem’s defence through a shot by Claudio Daniel Frances but the ball ended over the crossbar.
39’ The Blacks replied with an effort from a long distance by Godwin Emmanuel that ended high.
45+1’ Xewkija went very close to opening the score when Brian Alejandro Parada delivered an inviting low cross towards the goalmouth from the left flank but Ghajnsielem’s central defender Eriks De Souza Pereira cleared in time to deny Matthias Mercieca from a tap-in.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
After the resumption the two sides increased their efforts and play became much more interesting with various scoring opportunities on the two goals.
15’ Ghajnsielem’s goalie was in the right place and saved a shot by Claudio Daniel Frances.
19’ Ghajnsielem should have capitalised better when Xewkija’s goalie cleared badly from his area and the ball arrived to Godwin Emmanuel but the same goalkeeper made up for his previous mistake and blocked the attempt by Ghajnsielem’s striker.
20’ Xewkija’s Claudio Daniel Frances could have created more danger but he hit badly from a good position and the ball ended wide.
21’ Ghajnsielem were again dangerous through a prolonged action within Xewkija’s territory but in the end, the shot by Nim Ibrahim Belhadj ended high.
27’ Xewkija’s Claudio Daniel Frances had a good shot from outside the area but the ball ended high.
31’ Xewkija went very close to opening the score when Brian Alejandro Parada arrived on the ball before Ghajnsielem’s goalie and addressed towards an open goal but central defender Eriks De Souza Santos Pereira recovered in time and cleared the danger to a corner.
33’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin was called to make two important interventions to block a cross-shot by Ghajnsielem’s Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa and a shot by Naim Ibrahim Belhadj.
34’ Ghajnsielem missed a golden scoring opportunity when Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa released Godwin Emmanuel inside Xewkija’s area but the latter concluded incredibly wide from close distance.
36’ (1-0) Ghajnsielem broke the deadlock when Godwin Emmanuel passed through Xewkija’s defence with personal action and fired in goal from an ideal position.
42’ Xewkija went very close to level the score but a header from close distance by Brian Alejandro Parada was saved with difficulty by goalie Luke Buttigieg.
45’ (goal disallowed) Xewkija almost levelled the score when Ghajnsielem’s defence failed to clear the ball from the goalmouth following a corner action and at the end Josmar Vella concluded in but the goal was disallowed for handling by Xewkija’s striker during the melee.
FT (GHJ 1 – XT – 0)
Referee: Daniel Portelli
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Patrick Falzon
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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