6 October 2024
BOV GFA Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 4) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 3
Qala Saints FC : 0
43’ (0-1) Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz
67’ (0-2) Igor Nedeljkovic
89’ (0-3) Igor Nedeljkovic
89’ (red card) Stefan Cassar (XT)
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, J.M. Vella (Jsh. Buttigieg 46), R. Buttigieg (Js. Vella 76), G. Hili (J. Farrugia 66), S. Cassar, C.D. Frances, D. Bugeja, K. Mercieca, B.A. Parada, C. Abela, E. De Sousa Santos..
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez, Jsph. Buttigieg, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, C. Mercieca (G. Cardona 86), E.E Ruiz (S. Curmi 90+2), Emm. Buttigieg, J. Parnis (K. Farrugia 73), A.M. Bustos, N.C. Njoku, I. Nedeljkovic (P. Rapa 90+2).
In the highlight match of the weekend, Qala Saints solidified their position as the favourites for the league title with an impressive 3-0 victory over rivals Xewkija Tigers. Qala dominated much of the 90 minutes, demonstrating their well-rounded strength in every department and translating their organization into effective attacking football. Xewkija, seen as serious challengers, worked hard to disrupt Qala’s rhythm and limit their opportunities to create chances. However, just before halftime, a defensive error from Xewkija allowed Qala to break the deadlock, giving them the lead at a critical moment.
In the second half, Qala capitalized on their momentum, adding two more goals to secure a comfortable win. Despite Xewkija’s efforts, their response lacked potency, and they never truly threatened to overturn the deficit. The match showcased Qala’s superiority, as their strong defensive organization and creative attack left Xewkija with few options to mount a comeback.
This victory marked Qala’s fourth consecutive win in the championship, further solidifying their place at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, Xewkija’s defeat saw them slip to third place, now trailing the leaders by five points. Qala’s continued their run of form which positions them firmly as title contenders, while Xewkija will need to regroup and address their shortcomings if they hope to remain in the race for the championship. With Qala’s momentum building, their opponents will face a significant challenge to close the gap in the coming weeks.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Qala came out more aggressive and kept the pressure on Xewkija’s defence from the first minutes of play. Xewkija did not seem surprised as they were well organised in their defence and for most of the first half they made it difficult for their opponents to create serious danger. Qala however increased their efforts during the final minutes of the first half and managed to take the break with a deserved one-goal lead.
5’ Qala’s first attempt towards Xewkija’s goal arrived through a direct free kick by Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz but the ball ended wide.
10’ Qala should have capitalised better when Igor Nedeljkovic passed inside Xewkija’s area from the left-hand side abut from his inviting cross Jordi Parnis hit badly and missed the opportunity to conclude towards the goal.
14’ Qala threatened Xewkija’s defence from a corner action but the attempt by Igor Nedeljkovic was well saved to another corner by Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin.
21’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin was again called to make an important intervention to block a close-range shot by Christian Mercieca after receiving from Igor Nedeljkovic.
35’ Xewkija could have created more danger when Claudio Danel Frances delivered a cross towards the far post from the right flank but the header by Kenneth Mercieca ended high.
39’ The Maroons had another potential scoring opportunity when Christian Mercieca received the ball inside Xewkija’s area but his shot aimed towards the far post ended wide.
41’ Qala surprised Xewkija’s defence through a cross from the right flank by Nathan Chukwudi Njoku but the shot on the run from an ideal position by Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz missed the target.
43’ (0-1) Qala managed to take the lead when Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin was surprised following a freekick by Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz and the ball ended in the net.
45+1’ The same goalkeeper made up for his previous mistake and saved to a corner with some difficulty a shot from an angled position by Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz.
HT (0-1)
Second Half
Xewkija tried to produce a reaction from the early stages of the second half but Qala maintained their determination expressed during eh first half so that they continued to produce the offensive play. As a result, the match became much more exciting with more actions at the two ends of the field of play.
5’ Xewkija were dangerous through a cross shot from the right flank by Rodney Buttigieg but the ball ended on the roof of the net.
12’ Qala replied with a shot from outside the area by Jordi Parnis but the ball ended wide.
15’ Xewkija were again dangerous but a strike by Claudio Daniel Frances following a personal action ended just over the crossbar.
17’ Qala could have doubled their lead when Angel Manuel Bustos took the ball following a mishap by Xewkija’s defence and released Igor Nedeljkovic but the goalie Nikola Kosanin kept his side in contention as he left his position in time to deny Qala’s striker from concluding towards goal.
22’ (0-2) Qala managed to score their second goal when a clearance by Xewkija’s goalie following a header by Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos from a corner action arrived to Christian Mercieca on the left flank and the latter delivered a cross towards the far post and Igor Nedeljkovic headed in goal from close distance.
33’ The same Igor Nedeljkovic could have made sure of the win by scoring the third goal for his side when he ran towards Xewkija’s area with a personal action but his low drive was well blocked by goalie Nikola Kosanin.
37’ Qala’s Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz had a good shot from a good position but the ball ended wide.
41’ Xewkija’s last opportunity to re-open the issue arrived through an overhead kick by Brian Alejandro Parada from a corner action but the ball ended away from the goal.
42’ Qala went again close to adding another goal but a strike by substitute Kevin Farrugia was saved to a corner by Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin.
44’ (0-3) Qala scored their goal when substitute Gabriel Cardona headed towards the goalmouth and Igor Nedeljkovic netted with a header from close distance despite the challenge from Xewkija’s Stefan Cassar.
44’ (red card) After the goal the same Cassar was shown a second yellow card for his rough intervention and Xewkija ended the match with ten players.
FT (XT 0 – QS 3)
Referee: Slobodan Petrovic
Asst. Referees: Duncan Spencer, Mark Ciantar
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