Da Silva Arruda scores 7 goals and put Munxar in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup

2 September 2024

GFA 2nd Division Challenge Cup (Q/F) Gozo Stadium

Sannat Lions FC: 2

Munxar Falcons FC: 8

4’ (0-1) Aroldo Da Silva Arruda

23’ (1-1) Aud-Gustine James Obaje

31’ (2-1) Aud-Gusine James Obaje

35’ (2-2) Aroldo Da Silva Arruda

45+2’ (2-3) Aroldo Da Silva Arruda

50’ (2-4) Nathaniel Mercieca

54’ (2-5) Aroldo Da Silva Arruda

60’ (2-6) Aroldo Da Silva Arruda

67’ (2-7) Aroldo Da Silva Arruda

75’ (red card) Paul Said (SL) (off the field of play)

75’ (red card) Kenneth Mizzi (MF) (off the field of play)

89’ (2-8) Aroldo Da Silva Arruda

Sannat L:

K. Attard, S. Sillato, G. Portelli, K. Xuereb, O.J. Obaje, E. Gauci, N. Grima, P. Said (W. Debono 68), T. Agius, M. Xuereb (M. Vella 61), E. Bennici (H. Bonnici 51).

Munxar F:

J. Micallef (D. Spiteri 85), K. Borg, D. Azzopardi (F. Azzopardi 85), K. Farrugia, A. Da Silva Arruda, N. Mifsud, N. Mercieca, M. Zammit, E. Galea (P. Parnis 71), J.G. Vella (S. Spiteri 85), O. Curmi.

In the first two qualifying matches to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup for the second division, Munxar Falcons registered an 8-2 win over Sannat Lions.  This was also the first match of the 2024/2025 season for the teams of the lower category.  Munxar’s win was not only impressive because of the large score and wide margin of the result but also because Munxar’s Brazilian striker Aroldo Da Silva Arruda scored seven of the eight goals for his side.

The match, which was a clash between two sides who have the intention to be competitive in all competitions for the second division, practically had two different faces since it was well contested during the first period where the win could have gone either way, but after the resumption, Munxar dominated the encounter and scored five goals while Sannat never showed any sign of reaction.  Munxar will now face Zebbug Rovers in the semi-final of the competition.

Timeline:

Munxar had a better side and produced more danger during the first minutes of the encounter but Sannat had a strong reaction and came from behind to turn the score in their favour.  However, Munxar were not demoralised and managed to end an entertaining first half with a one-goal lead.

4’ (0-1) Sannat’s defence was surprised as they failed to clear the ball from the midfield and Aroldo Da Silva Arruda took advantage, ran towards Sannat’s area and netted with a lob over the goalkeeper.

8’ Munxar went close to adding another goal when Aroldo Da Silva Arruda released Nathaniel Mercieca but the latter hit badly from a good position and the ball ended wide.

23’ (1-1) Sannat levelled the score through a header from close distance by Aud-Gustine James Obaje following a cross from the right flank by Michael Xuereb.

31’ (2-1) Sannat turned the result in their favour through a personal effort by Aud-Gustine James Obaje who entered Munar’s area, had his first attempt that defeated the keeper but was cleared off the line by defender Daniel Azzopardi and from the rebound the same Nigerian striker took the ball, released himself from his direct opponent and concluded in goal with a low shot.

35’ (2-2) Munxar recovered the deficit when Aroldo Da Silva Arruda took the ball following some hesitation by Sannat’s defence and netted easily with a low drive.

45+1’ (crossbar) The Falcons went very close to score another goal when Aroldo Da Silva Arruda passed inside Sannn’s area but his lob over the goalkeeper was stopped by the crossbar and the defence cleared the danger from the goalmouth with difficulty.

45+2’ (2-3) Munxar regained the lead when Nathaniel Mercieca delivered a low cross from the left flank and Aroldo Da Silva Arruda was at the right place and placed in goal with a tap-in.

HT (2-3)

Second Half

Munxar Falcons maintained their momentum initial stages of the second period and converted their superiority by scoring more goals to put the score beyond the reach of their opponents.

5’ (2-4) The Falcons increased their lead through another low shot from close distance by Aroldo Da Silva Arruda following an inviting cross by Nathaniel Mercieca.

9’ (2-5) Sannat continued to suffer Munxar’s play and the latter added another goal when Aroldo Da Silva Arruda delivered a cross from the left flank towards the far post and Nathaniel Mercieca surprised the defence with a close-ranged header that ended in a goal.

15’ (2-6) Munxar’s sixth goal arrived through an initiative by Daniel Azzopardi, who crossed from the left flank and Aroldo Da Silva Arruda continued to distinguish himself by concluding in goal with a header.

22’ (2-7) Sannat conceded another goal when a clearance by the defence was blocked on the edge of their area and the ball arrived to an unmarked Aroldo Da Silva Arruda who turned around the goalkeeper and deposited easily in goal.

30’ (red card)  The match was suspended for a few moments when some commotion took place outside the field of play and Sannat’s Paul Said, who was substituted earlier, together with Munxar’s substitute Kenneth Mizzi and Munxar’s official Roberto Sammut were shown a red card.

44’ (2-8) Munxar sealed the win by scoring the eighth goal when Aroldo Da Silva Arruda entered Sannat’s area with personal action and scored his seventh personal goal with a lob over the goalkeeper. 

FT (SL 2 – MF 8)

Referee: Andrea Naudi

Asst. Referees: Paul Apap, Ranald Portelli