7 April 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 19) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 0
Qala Saints FC: 4
2’ (0-1) Joseph Buttigieg
23’ (penalty missed – post) Igor Nedeljkovic (QS)
45+1’ (0-2) Jordi Parnis
45+2’ (0-3) Jordi Parnis
52’ (0-4) Christian Mercieca
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin (T.K. Ngantchop 82), Js. Vella, D. Bogdanovic, M. Mercieca, A. Debrincat (J. Buttigieg 53), Ju. Vella, A. Bozovic, D. Bugeja, H. Bonnici, B.A. Parada (M. Xuereb 40), C. Abela (J. Axiak 53).
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez (A.A. Xerri 56), Jsph. Buttigieg, J.V. Ferrari Silva, L.B. Da Silva (S. Curmi 46), M. Buttigieg, J. Parnis (S. Bajada 69), N.C. Njoku, C. Mercieca, I. Nedeljkovic, M. Xerri (C. Cardona 56).
Qala Saints remain serious challengers for the title as they remain at the top position with two Match-Days left until the end of the campaign with the points obtained from a 4-0 win over Xewjkija Tigers Qala confirmed an excellent moment of form and confirmed their very convincing performance of their previous match where they won the Knock Out competition for the top flight by defeating the other challengers for the title Nadur Youngsters.
In this match, Qala’s strikers, Igor Nedeljkovic, Jordi Psrnis and Christian Mercieca dominated throughout the first period and created various scoring opportunities. Qala scored a goal in the opening minutes of play and for most of the first half, they were denied from scoring other goals with a series of decisive interventions by Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin. Qala however ended the first half with a three-goal lead as they scored two goals during stoppage time of the period. Qala put the score beyond the reach of their opponents by scoring the fourth goal and continued to hold command of play, where their defence retained their composure and denied Xewkija from producing any danger.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Qala Saints had an excellent start and took the lead at a very early stage so they kept insisting and dominated over their opponents throughout the first half. Qala missed an opportunity from a penalty midway through the first half but managed to take the break with a comfortable three-goal lead with two goals scored during stoppage time.
1’ Qala’s Igor Nedeljkovic had a good shot in the first serious action of the match that was saved with difficulty by goalie Nikola Kosanin.
2’ (0-1) From the same corner kick, taken by Igor Nedeljkovic, Joao Vitor Ferrari Silva headed inside the area and Joseph Buttigieg managed to take possession and fired in goal from a close distance.
5’ Qala went close to scoring another goal but a low drive by Christian Mercieca aimed towards the far post ended just wide.
16’ The Maroons were again dangerous through a good shot by Lucas Baretto Da Silva that was saved by Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin.
17’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin was again called to make an important intervention when he turned to a corner a shot on the run by Martin Buttigieg after receiving from Igor Nedeljkovic.
23’ Xewkija had their first serious attempt towards Qals’s goal when Andrea Debrincat tried to pass inside Qala’s area but the goalkeeper blocked the danger and the ball arrived to an unmarked Hayden Bonnici who had his low shot that was cleared off the fatal line by central defender Joso Vitor Ferrari Silva.
23’ (penalty missed – post) Qala could have punished their opponents for the missed chance in the following action when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Josmar Vella on Igor Nedeljkovic but the same Nedeljkovic saw his shot from the penalty spot that hit the post and the ball ended wide.
26’ Qala’s Christian Mercieca released Igor Nedeljkovic inside Xewkija’s area but the latter saw his shot from a good position that ended wide.
30’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin was again at the right place and saved with some difficulty an attempt by Jordi Parnis after receiving from Igor Nedeljkovic.
32’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin kept his side in contention with the most difficult save of the encounter as he turned to a corner a header by Lucas Baretto Da Silva following a cross by Nicholas Inguanez.
34’ The same Baretto Da Silva had another attempt, on this occasion after exchanging the ball with Jordi Parnis, that was blocked by Xewkija’s goalie.
45+1’ (0-2) Qala doubled the score when Igor Nedeljkovic unmarked Jordi Parnis inside Xewkija’s area and the latter netted with a shot towards the far post.
45+2’ (0-3) The Maroons practically put their minds at rest from the win with another goal that was scored following a similar action as the one that led to the previous goal, as Igor Nedeljkovic once again passed towards an unmarked Jordi Parnis who netted with another shot towards the second post.
HT (0-3)
Second Half
After the resumption, Qala came out to defend their lead and reduce the pressure on Xewkija’s defence. On the other hand, Xewkija tried to produce some offensive play but they never managed to create danger toward Qala’s goal.
7’ (0-4) Qala added another goal when Igor Nedeljkovic passed just outside the area to Christian Mercieca who concluded in goal with a curling shot that ended out of the reach of Xewkija’s goalie.
44’ Xewkija had their best opportunity to score a consolation goal when Matthias Mercieca passed with a personal action from the left flank but his shot from an angled position ended on the side of the net.
FT (XT 0 – QS 4)
Referee: Glen Tonna
Asst. Referees: Mark Ciantar, Gerald William Zammit Young
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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