17 March 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 17) Gozo Stadium
Nadur Youngsters FC : 1
Qala Saints FC : 1
21’ (1-0) Marcelo Jr Barbosa
42’ (red card) Emanuel Buttigieg (QS)
71’ (1-1) Joao Vitor Ferrari Silva
Nadur Y:
S. Sultana, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos (M. Tabone 44), I. Xuereb, M. Pereira Muniz, J. Zammit (J.M. Vella 78), M. Barbosa, S. Cassar, G. Hili, K. Grima, B. Said (M. Said 88), J.V. De Oliveira Florencio.
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez, Jsph. Buttigieg, J.V. Ferrari Silva, L.B. Da Silva, M. Buttigieg (N.C. Njoku 46), L.M. Dos Santos (S. Curmi 87), E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis, C. Mercieca (M. Xerri 90+2), I. Nedeljkovic.
The challengers for the title Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints shared the spoils in a draw of two goals so that at the end of Match-Day 17 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division, the two sides remained on equal points and the winner of the championship this season would probably be determined according to the outcome of the remaining matches of the campaign.
The match as expected attracted a large crowd to the Gozo Stadium since this match could have put one of the two sides with a lead for the remaining matches. Both Nadur and Qala confirmed that they could win the title this season but during the match, each side prevailed over the other for a half each and the outcome was a just result. In the end, Qala seemed more satisfied with this result as they were trailing by one goal, and with a player less on the field, at the end of the first half, they still managed to leave the pitch undefeated by the reigning champions.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Nadur came out more determined as they not only needed to take command of play from the early stages but they needed to make up for the disappointing heavy defeat conceded in their previous match. Nadur achieved their objective but they only managed to open a one-goal lead during their best patch of play so that their opponents remained in contention for a positive result.
1’ Nadur could have scored after 28 seconds of play when Marcelo Barbosa insisted on a personal action and passed to Brandon Said but the latter saw his attempt that was saved to a corner by Qala’s goalie Owen Attard.
13’ Qala replied with a low shot from outside the area by Lucas Baretto Da Silva that was well saved by Nadur’s goalie Steve Sultana.
21’ (1-0) Nadur opened the score when Joseph Zammit crossed from the right and Marcelo Jr Barbosa controlled well inside Qala’s area and fired in goal with the ball hitting the crossbar before ended in the net.
Qala’s reaction was sterile.
31’ Nadur once again threatened Qala’s defence through a shot by Joseph Zammit but goalie Owen Attard was well-placed and saved the danger.
40’ Nadur could have doubled their lead when Marcelo Barbosa produced a personal action and entered alone inside Qala’s area but his effort was weak and goalie Owen Attard neutralised the danger.
42’ (red card) red card Qala were reduced to ten players when to Emanuel Buttigieg was shown a red for stepping on Marcelo Barbosa who was on the floor.
45’ (red card) Qala’s substitute Armando Antonio Xerri was sent off from Qala’s substitute bench for protests with the match officials.
HT (1-0)
Second Half
Qala came out to produce a reaction despite the player being less on the field while Nadur tried to administer their one-goal lead. As a result, the two sides struggled to create serious scoring opportunities and the two goalkeepers were never called to make difficult interventions. However, Qala managed to level the score and during the final stages, each side had a good opportunity where they could have obtained the win.
26’ (1-1) Qala’s efforts were rewarded when they scored the equaliser that arrived through a fine header by Joao Vitor Ferrari Silva, following a free kick by Lucas Matheus Dos Santos, that ended out of the reach of Nadur’s goalie.
36’ Qala could have created more danger when Lucas Baretto Da Silva prolonged with a header from a throw-in. Still, the final header by Igor Nedeljkovic was weak and saved without difficulty by goalie Steve Sultana.
45’ Nadur went very close to regain the lead but a good shot by Manwel Tabone was partially saved by goalie Owen Attard and from the rebound, the effort by Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio was cleared from the fatal line by Joseph Buttigieg.
FT (NY 1 – QS 1)
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Asst. Referees: Roberto Vella, Duncan Spencer
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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