Champions Nadur Youngsters reach the BOV GFA Cup final with a close win

24 April 2024

BOV GFA Cup (S/final 1) Gozo Stadium

Nadur Youngsters FC : 1

Xewkija Tigers FC : 0

56’ (1-0) penalty Marcelo Pereira Muniz

Nadur Y:

S. Sultana, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, I. Xuereb, M. Pereira Muniz, J.M. Vella, J. Zammit, M. Barbosa, S. Cassar, M. Said, G. Muscat, J.V. De Oliveira Florencio.

Xewkija T:

N. Kosanin, J. Axiak, Js. Vella, D. Bogdanovic, M. Mercieca (D. Bugeja 63), J. Buttigieg, R. Buttigieg, A. Bozovic, C.D. Frances, B.A. Parada, C. Abela.

Nadur Youngsters, who were crowned champions of Gozitan football for the third consecutive season on Sunday, and the holders of the BOV GFA Cup, have the opportunity to win the double for another season with the qualification obtained for the final of the BOV GFA Cup from a 1-0 win over CXewkija Tigers in the first semi-final of the competition.

In this match, which was played in difficult weather conditions due to rain and strong wind, Nadur was motivated to obtain a win to make up for the disappointing defeat conceded in the match from the third round of the championship against Xewkija and was also aiming to end this successful season on a positive note.  On the other hand, Xewkija Tigers were confident that they could register another win over Nadur and were aiming to obtain the qualification to the final to make up for their disappointing results obtained in the first division league.  As a result, the match turned out to be quite contested.  Nadur however saw more of the ball and created more scoring opportunities but Xewkija remained in contention and kept their hopes alive to force at least extra time until the final whistle.  The match was decided with a goal scored from a penalty during the opening minutes of the second period.

Timeline:

Play for most of the time during the first half was quite balanced where the two sides created some good scoring opportunities.  However, the match remained at a deadlock by the end of the first half as the two defensive departments, and their respective goalkeepers managed to deny the striker from scoring.

2’ Nadur’s goalkeeper Steve Sultana was called to make the first important intervention of the encounter to block an attempt from a free kick by Xewkija’s Claudio Daniel Frances.

11’ Nadur replied with an initiative by Matthias Said who entered the area from the left but his shot was saved by goalie Nikola Kosanin.

15’ Nadur could have created more danger when Marcelo Pereira Muniz passed to Stefan Cassar but the latter saw his low shot that ended wide.

23’ (crossbar) Xewkija went very close to take the lead when an effort from close distance by Brian Alejandro Parada was stopped by the crossbar.

24’ Nadur went again close to score when Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio unmarked Marcelo Barbosa but the latter saw his low shot that was cleared off the line by defender Xewkija’s defender Carlo Abela.

28’ Nadur’s goalie Steve Sultana was again called to make an important intervention to save a strike by Xewkija’s Matthias Mercieca.

44’ Nadur missed an opportunity to create more danger when a corner by Stefan Cassar arrived to Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos hit badly and the ball ended wide.

45+1’ The Youngsters were denied from opening the score when  Marcelo Barbosa delivered a cross towards the goalmouth following a short free-kick but the header by Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dis Santos was well saved by goalie Nikola Kosanin.

45+1’ (protests for penalty) Xewkija protested for a penalty alleging handling by Nadur’s Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos following a cross from the left.

45+1’ (protests for penalty) Nadur also protested for a penalty when Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio ended up on the floor inside Xewkija’s area as he tried to pass with personal action.

HT (0-0)

Second Half

Nadur had an excellent start in the second period as they managed to take the lead from a penalty so that they gained confidence and started to control play with authority.  Xewkija struggled to produce serious attempts towards Nadur’s goal even though they did not give up their hopes to challenge for a place in the final during the remaining minutes.

4’ (1-0) penalty Nadur opened the score when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Josmar Vella on Joe Vitor De Oliveira Florencio as he tried to enter the area with a personal action from the left and Marcelo Pereira Muniz converted from the penalty spot

16’ (protests for penalty) Nadur protested for a penalty when Stefan Cassar ended up on the floor inside Xewkija’s areas he tried to pass the goalkeeper but the referee punished the striker with a yellow card for simulation

24’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin kept his side in contention with a fine save following a close-range header by Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos.

36’ (protests for penalty) Xewkija protested for a penalty when Rodney Buttigieg ended up on the floor inside Nadur’s area as he tried to pass with a personal action.

FT (NY 1 – XT 0)

Referee: Glen Tonna

Asst. Referees: Thomas Debono, Carmel Vassallo