12 April 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 20) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 3
Ghajnsielem FC : 1
28’ (1-0) Michael Paul Camilleri
40’ (1-1) Godwin Emmanuel
57’ (2-1) Fabian John Xuereb
80’ (3-1) Camilo Andres Diaz Arias
90’ (red card) Alberto Xuereb (GHJ)
Xaghra U:
L. Xuereb, L. Almeida Da Silva, S.F. Bajada (S. Galea 83), M. Bezzina, M. Mamo (M. Mamo 88), O. Fenech, F.J. Xuereb, M.A. Morgon Filho (C. Camilleri 46), C.A. Diaz Arias, H. Da Silva Wilker, M.P. Camilleri (M. Cordina 75).
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Ghajnsielem:
G. Parnis, M. Ciangura (M.A. Scicluna 65), T. Sciberras (D. Attard 65), Al. Xuereb, B. Da Cruz, N.I. Belhadj (E. Grozdanov 72), Ant. Xuereb, G. Emmanuel, E. De Souza Santos Pereira, C.H. Da Silva Barbosa, D. Hili.
The direct clash from the relegation zone of Match-Day 20 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division ended in a 3-1 win for Xaghra United over Ghajnsielem so that Xaghra retained their chances to avoid the bottom place on the final standings and pulled with them the same Ghajnsielem and other two teams in serious relegation trouble.
The match between Xaghra and Ghajnsielem was well contested as the two sides seemed determined to obtain the win and the outcome during the first hour of play was uncertain. However, Xaghra ended up obtaining the full points at stake as they capitalised better on their chances and managed to score two goals during the second period without conceding any reply from their opponents.
Timeline:
Xaghra came out with the wind blowing from behind and held command of play for long stretches of the first period. Xaghra created more scoring opportunities than their opponents but failed to open a comfortable lead so they suffered Ghajnsielem’s reaction and the two teams took the break on a draw of two goals.
3’ Xaghra went very close to scoring an early goal but a close-range shot by Michael Paul Camilleri was saved by Ghajnsielem’s goalie Gabriel Parnis.
6’ The Blues were again dangerous through a shot by Owen Fenech but the ball ended wide.
21’ Ghajsnielem’s goalie Gabriel Parnis was again called to make a good save to block an attempt by Henrique Da Silva Wilker.
24’ Ghajnsielem created their first scoring opportunity when Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa delivered a good cross inside Xaghra’s area, Thomas Sciberras prolonged with a header but the final attempt by Godwin Emmanuel was saved by Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb
28’ (1-0) Xaghra took the deserved lead when Leandro Almeida Da Silva’s header from a free kick by Camilo Andres Diaz Arias hit the post and from the rebound, Michael Paul Camilleri’s low shot crossed the fatal line despite the attempt of the goalkeeper to block the danger.
40’ (1-1) Ghajnsielem levelled the score when Eriks De Souza Santos Pereira entered Xaghra’s area and from his low cross, Godwin Emmanuel concluded in goal with a tap-in.
41’ Xaghra replied with a fine strike by Marco Antonio Morgon Filho that was saved to a corner by goalie Gabriel Parnis.
HT (1-1)
Second Half
Play during the second period became much more interesting as the two sides increased their efforts in an attempt to obtain the win. However, Xaghra managed to open a two-goal lead and neutralised the reaction from Ghajnsielem so that they achieved their main objective of obtaining the full points at stake.
7’ Ghajnsielem could have turned the result in their favour when Bruno Da Cruz released Godwin Emmanuel but the latter concluded wide from close distance.
9’ The Blacks missed another opportunity to put their heads in front when Godwin Emmanuel passed to Damon Hili but the latter saw his know shot that ended wide.
12’ (2-1) Ghajnsielem were punished for the missed chances as Xaghra regained the lead when a long-range shot by Fabian John Xuereb surprised Ghajnsielem’s rearguard and the goalkeeper and ended in the net.
14’ (protests for penalty) Ghajnsielem protested for a penalty when Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa ended on the floor inside Xaghra’s area as he tried to pass his direct opponent.
19’ Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb was called to make a difficult save to turn to the corner a striker from outside the area by Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa.
28’ The same goalkeeper was well placed to neutralise without difficulty a good shot by substitute Emil Grozdanov.
31’ (goal disallowed) Xaghra could have increased their lead when substitute Matthias Cordina released the other substitute Chris Camilleri, the latter lobbed over the goalkeeper and the ball ended in the net but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.
34’ (crossbar) Ghajnsielem went very close to level the score but a cross-shot from the right by Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa hit the crossbar.
35’ (3-1) Xaghra made sure of the win by scoring the third goal when Henrique Da Silva Wilker passed from the left flank and from his low cross Camillo Andres Diaz Arias concluded in goal with a low shot.
42’ (crossbar) Ghajnsielem went very close to re-open the issue but a shot directly from a free kick by Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa hit the crossbar.
45’ (red card) Ghajnsielem ended the match on a negative note as they were reduced to ten players when Alberto Xuereb was sent off after receiving his second yellow card in the space of a few minutes for a foul in the midfield.
FT (XU 3 – GHJ 1)
Referee: Alex Johnson
Asst. Referees: Patrick Falzon, Danilo Francakanza
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