10 March 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 16) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 6
Nadur Youngsters FC : 2
17’ (1-0) penalty Brian Alejandro Parada
24’ (2-0) Claudio Daniel Frances
42’ (3-0) Dejan Bogdanovic
54’ (3-1) Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos
56’ (4-1) Brian Alejandro Parada
60’ (5-1) Brian Alejandro Parada
81’ (6-1) Brian Alejandro Parada
88’ (6-2) Brandon Said
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, Js. Vella, D. Bogdanovic, M. Mercieca (D. Bugeja 80), J. Buttigieg, R. Buttigieg *(Ju. Vella 84), A. Bozovic, C.D. Frances (A. Debrincat 84), M. Bonnici (J. Axiak 55), B.A. Parada (S. Xuereb 84), C. Abela.
Nadur Y:
S. Sultana, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, I. Xuereb, M. Pereira Muniz (B. Said 73), J.M. Vella (M. Tabone 46), J. Zammit, M. Barbosa, S. Cassar, G. Hili (J. Xerri 73), G. Muscat (K. Grima 38), J.V. De Oliveira Florencio.
In the last match from Match-Day 16 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division, Xewkija Tigers registered a 6-2 win over the reigning champions and favourites to retain the title Nadur Youngsters. Although Xewkija’s win over Nadur may not be considered as a surprise, when considering the rivalry between the two sides, nobody expected such a large score as Xewkija are completely out of the chances to challenge for the title and their ambition is to defend their third spot on the table, while Nadur were coming from a series of positive results and sole leaders for a long period. In the end, this result favoured Xewkija as they consolidated their third position on the table while Qala Saints reached the same Nadur at the top of the table just in time before the direct clash between the two challengers in the next Match-Day.
Xewkija surprised their more quoted opponents throughout the encounter and achieved an impressive win by scoring three goals in each half. Xewkija’s coach Daniel Bogdanovic deployed a team with a very strong defensive department and an effective attack where Argentine striker Brian Alejandro Parada was a continuous threat to Nadur’s defence and ended up the main protagonist of the match by scoring four personal goals.
On the other hand, Nadur was disappointed in this important match that arrived before their direct clash against Qala and failed to produce a performance worthy of their potential so they dropped all the lead that they had over the same Qala Saints. In this match Nadur found it extremely difficult to produce serious attempts towards Xewkija’s goal and at the same time, they were very fragile in their defence so they compromised the possibility of achieving a positive result with a series of defensive mistakes.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Nadur came out for this match to take command of play but their manoeuvre did not produce any danger and as time passed by they became frustrated and became very erratic in all the departments. On the other hand, Xewkija had a prudent approach and gained confidence as they took the lead and managed to take the break with a lead of three goals.
15’ Xewkija produced the first dangerous action of the encounter when Brian Alejandro Parada released Claudio Daniel Frances but the latter saw his close-ranged attempt that was well saved by goalie Steve Sultana.
16’ (1-0) penalty Xewkija were awarded a penalty for a foul by Gianluca Muscat on Claudio Daniel Frances and Brian Alejandro Parada opened the score with his shot from the penalty spot.
24’ (2-0) Xewkija grew in confidence and doubled their lead when Nadur’s goalie cleared badly from his area, Claudio Daniel Frances took possession and concluded in goal with a fine strike that did not allow any opportunity for the goalkeeper to recover.
26’ Nadur had their first attempt towards Xewkija’s goal from a free kick by Marcelo Barbosa but goalie Nikola Kosan was well placed and saved the danger.
41’ Nadur’s goalie Steve Sultana was called to make a difficult save to turn to a corner a good shot by Matthias Bonnici.
42’ (3-0) Xewkija capitalised from the resultant corner kick taken by Claudio Daniel Frances as Dejan Bogdanovic surprised Nadur’s defence and netted with a fine header to increase the lead for his side.
HT (3-0)
Second Half
Nadur produced their best patch of play during the opening minutes of play of the second period where they managed to reduce the deficit to two goals but Xewkija recovered from the initial pressure and produced a reaction where they scored three goals without any reply from their opponents to put the score beyond the reach of their opponents.
9’ (3-1) Nadur reduced the deficit following a prolonged corner action and finally, it was Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos who pushed the ball in the bet from a close distance.
11’ (4-1) Xewkija managed to re-establish their three-goal lead when Brian Alejandro Parada took the ball from Nadur’s defence and placed it easily in goal when he was face to face with the goalkeeper.
15’ (5-1) Xewkija kept insisting and extended their lead to four goals when a cross from the right flank by Rodney Buttigieg arrived to an unmarked Brian Alejandro Parada who controlled well and netted with a fine shot.
24’ Nadur could have reduced the deficit but an effort by Joso Vitor De Oliveira Florencio ended wide.
26’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin was well placed and denied Nadur from scoring when he blocked an attempt from close distance by Joseph Zammit.
36’ (6-1) Xewkija made it a half dozen when a cross from the left flank by Claudio Daniel Frances was converted in a goal from close distance by Brian Alejandro Parada who also marked his fourth personal goal in this win.
42’ Nadur’s substitute Brandon Said could have reduced the score when he took the ball from Xewkija’s goalie but his low drive was cleared from the fatal line by Josmar Vella.
43’ (6-2) Nadur managed to score the second goal when Joseph Zammit prolonged inside Xewkija’s area with a header and Brandon Said headed in a goal from close distance.
45’ Nadur could have scored another goal but a header by Brandon Said was well saved by Xewkija’s keeper Nikola Kosanin.
FT (XT 6 – NY 2)
Referee: Philip Farrugia
Assistant Referees: James Muscat, Shaun Calleja
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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