Qala Saints win the GFA Super Cup for the second time

30 August 2024

GFA Super Cup (Final) Gozo Stadium

Nadur Youngsters FC : 1

Qala Saints FC: 2

8’ (0-1) Christian Mercieca

66’ (0-2) Christian Mercieca

78’ (1-2) penalty Joseph Zammit

Nadur Y:

S. Sultana, I. De Jesus De Santana, G. Muscat (S. Xuereb 68), D. Pires Dall’Oca, J. Zammit, J. Xerri (G. Farrugia 60), L. Buttigieg (D. Vella 90+3), B. Said, O.P. Bugeja (G. Portelli 90+3), I. Xuereb, M.P. Camilleri.

Qala S:

O. Attard, N. Inguanez, Jsph. Buttigieg,  J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, C. Mercieca, E.E Ruiz, E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis (S. Curmi 87), G. Cardona (K. Farrugia 51), N.C. Njoku, I. Nedeljkovic.

Qala Saints had an excellent start to the new Gozitan football season as they won the GFA Super Cup by defeating the champions of the last season Nadur Youngsters with a 2-1 score.  The GFA Super Cup is the opening match of every new football season in Gozo and is contested by the champions and winners of the GFA Cup of the previous season. This was the second time that Qala Saints won this honour.

The two sides came out for this match to obtain a win as Nadur were the holders of this honour, which they won nine times in the club history, while Qala have been waiting for an opportunity to lift this honour since the end of the 2007/2008 season.  Moreover, Nadur was seeking revenge for the defeat conceded in the final of the GFA Cup at the end of last season against the same Qala, while the Maroons aimed to confirm their status as serious challengers for the main honours in Gozitan football.  The two sides had some changes in their respective players’ lists from the respective squad of the last season.  However, Qala’s coach Shaun Bajada consolidated the formation which established a leading role in Gozitan football during the past two seasons, while Nadur had a complete change in the team.  The reigning champions had Brian Chetcuti as their new coach but had to replace seven players from last season’s starting line-up.  The two sides had some new signings who were not included in the players list, particularly foreign players, for different reasons.

Throughout the ninety minutes, Qala Saints had territorial supremacy and produced better play and more scoring opportunities.  The protagonist in this Qala’s win was Christian Mercieca who scored the two goals, one in each half, that decided the issue.  Nadur found it difficult to be competitive at this stage of the season and did not manage to defend the honour which they won last year.  The Youngsters remained in contention mainly through some decisive saves by their goalkeeper Steve Sultana and opened their chances to recover the score when they converted a penalty that arrived during the final stages of the encounter.  Qala showed great character after conceding Nadur’s goal and regained command of play so that they defended their one-goal lead until the final whistle.

After the end of the match the Vice-President of the Gozo Football Association Carmel Zammit and the General Secretary of the association Tony Grech, presented the medals and the GFA Cup to Qala’s players and staff among the celebrations of the supporters.

Timeline:

Qala came out in a better shape and seemed more motivated than their opponents.  Nadur struggled to produce effective offensive play as they were forced for most of the first half to protect their area so that the Maroons took the break with a deserved lead.

8’ (0-1) Qala put their heads in front when Nadur’s defence failed to clear a cross from the right flank by Igor Nedeljkovic and the ball arrived to an unmarked Christian Mercieca who placed in goal with a low drive towards the far post.

19’ Nadur’s goalie Steve Sultana was called to make a difficult save to turn to a corner a strike from close distance by Gabriel Cardona.  From the resultant corner action, Igor Nedeljkovic prolonged inside Nadur’s area but the header by Fereira Dos Santos was well saved by Nadur’s keeper.

28’ Qala’s Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz had an attempt from a free kick that ended over the crossbar.

42’ Nadur could have capitalised better when Qala’s defence was surprised following a low cross from the right flank by Brandon Said and Leander Buttigieg prolonged to Joseph Xerri but the latter hit badly from close distance and Qala’s rearguard cleared the danger.

45+1’ Nadur’s goalie Steve Sultana once again denied Qala from scoring a second goal when he turned to a corner an attempt directly from a free kick by Christian Mercieca.

HT  (0 – 1)

Second Half

After the break, Qala continued to dictate matters and produced some dangerous actions within Nadur’s territory.  The Maroons increased their lead midway through the second period. Still, they conceded a penalty during the final stages so that the outcome of this final remained in contention until the end of the encounter.

1’ Qala were dangerous in their first offensive action of the second period when Christian Mercieca entered the area from the left flank and from his pass Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz saw his low shot that was blocked by Nadur’s goalie Steve Sultana.

17’ Nadur were dangerous when Joseph Zammit passed to Diego Pires Dall’Oca inside Qala’s area but the latter saw his fine shot that was saved to a corner with difficulty by Qala’s keeper Owen Attard.

21’ (0-2) The Maroons doubled their lead when Igor Nedeljkovic released Christian Mercieca within Nadur’s area and the latter netted with a low shot that ended out of the reach of the goalkeeper.

32’ (1-2) Nadur re-opened the issue when substitute Sylvan Xuereb won a penalty following a challenge with Nichoas Inguanez and Joseph Zammit converted his shot from the penalty spot.

36’ Qala replied with a shot from a long distance by substitute Kevin Farrugia but the ball ended just high.

39’ The Maroons could have sealed the win when Igor Nedeljkovic entered Nadur’s area but his close-range Nadur’s keeper blocked effort.

43’ Nadur’s last opportunity to force extra time arrived through a shot from outside the area by Joseph Zammit following a personal action but the ball ended away from the goal

FT (NY 1 – QS 2)

Referee: Ezekiel Barbara

Asst. Referees: Duncan Sultana, Duncan Spencer

4th Official: Alex Johnson