3 October 2024
GFA 2nd Division Challenge Cup (Final) Gozo Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC : 3
Munxar Falcons FC : 0
14’ (1-0) Cesar Velez Da Silva
56’ (2-0) Cesar Velez Da Silva
73’ (3-0) Cesar Velez Da Silva
Kercem A:
F. Vella, D. Cassar, A. Azzopardi (T. Markovic 88), J. Theuma, C. Cutajar (K. Sciberras 88), R. Saliba, C. Vella, A. Xuereb (A. Zammit 83), L. Sultana (A. Debrincat 46), S. Azzopardi, C. Velez Da Silva (A. Mizzi 75).
Munxar F:
J. Micallef, K. Borg, D. Azzopardi, P. Parnis (L. Meilak 46), K. Farrugia, A. Da Silva Arruda (K. Mizzi 70), N. Mercieca, G. Attard (K. Vella 88), S. Muscat (M. Zammit 62), J.G. Vella, O. Curmi.
Kercem Ajax lived up to the expectations and confirmed their ambitions to return to the top flight after just one season in the lower category as they dominated the final of the 2nd Division Challenge Cup and registered a 3-0 win over Munxar Falcons.
Although Kercem came for this final as hot favourites, Munxar were worthy opponents as they earned the qualification through two positive performances in the previous rounds. However, in this match, Ajax held territorial supremacy for long stretches and produced more scoring opportunities. Kercem’s coach Daniel Bogdanovic prepared a strong deployment as the defensive rarely conceded serious attempts towards their goal while the midfield was keeping control of play by occupying the whole width of the field of play. Kercem’s strikers were very often involved in the action as they produced various scoring opportunities but the main protagonist was Cesar Velez Da Silva who scored three goals in this final.
At the end of the match the Vice-President of the Gozo Football Association Michaelangelo Grech, the General Secretary of the Association Tony Grech and GFA official Francis Grech presented the medals and the 2nd Division Challenge Cup to Kercem’s players and technical staff among the celebrations of the supporters.
Photo; Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Kercem took command of play from the early stages and for most of the first period they produced pressure on Munxar’s rearguard. The Ajax created some good scoring opportunities but they only managed to convert on one occasion and as time passed by the Falcons increased their efforts in an attempt to level the score
2’ Kercem could have scored an early goal when Cesar Velez Da Silva released Christian Vella but the latter saw his strike that was well saved by goalie Joel Micallef.
14’ (1-0 The Ajax took the lead when Carlos Cutajar delivered an inviting cross from the right flank and Cesar Velez Da Silva followed the action and deposited easily in goal with a tap-in.
21’ Munxar’s goalie Joel Micallef was again called to make a difficult intervention when he blocked a strike by Samuel Azzopardi after receiving from Cesar Velez Da Silva.
25’ (post) Kercem kept insisting and were again dangerous when Cesar Velez Da Silva unmarked Carlos Cutajar but the latter saw his low drive that was stopped by the base of the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
32’ Munxar almost surprised their opponents against the run of play but a good attempt by Nathaniel Mercieca was saved to a corner by Kercem’s keeper Franklin Vella.
HT (1-0)
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Second Half
Munxar came out for the second period to recover the score but, Kercem were well organised and neutralised the initiative of their opponents. The Ajax took advantage of more space within Munxar’s territory and continued to be more dangerous so that they increased their lead before the hour mark and put the score beyond the reach of their opponents with a third goal that arrived 15 minutes from the end of the encounter.
2’ Kercem had a good opportunity to double their lead but a low shot by Cesar Velez Da Silva was well saved by Munxar’s goalie Joel Micallef.
10’ (crossbar) The Ajax went again close to scoring a second goal but a cross-shot by Antonio Xuereb was stopped by the crossbar.
11’ (2-0) Kercem doubled their lead when Andre Azzopardi delivered the ball in front of Munxar’s goalmouth from a corner kick and Cesar Velez Da Silva surprised the defence and turned in goal with a fine header.
28’ (3-0) The Ajax practically made sure of the win when substitute Andrea Debrincat defended the ball inside Munxar’s area and from his pass, Cesar Velez Da Silva fired towards the top corner of the net from an unmarked position.
37’ Munxar’s goalie Joel Micallef denied Kercem from scoring another goal when he saved a corner low shot from outside the area by Ryan Saliba.
45+1’ The same goalkeeper was again called a good intervention to save a slow shot by substitute Andrew Mizzi.
FT (KA 3 – MF 0)
Referee: Joseph Scerri
Asst. Referees: Anthony Paul Vella, Patrick Falzon
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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