29 September 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 3) Gozo Stadium
SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 2
Xaghra United FC : 3
31’ (1-0) Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa
44’ (1-1) Johan Alberto Castano
53’ (1-2) Jack Vella
65’ (1-3) Johan Alberto Castano
85’ (2-3) David Garba Emmanuel
SK Victoria W:
O. Xuereb, A. Galiano Lazarini, N. Camilleri, J.W. Meilak (A. Touarha 89), M. Cordina, I.H. Da Silva Costa, E. Zammit, D.G. Emmanuel, S. Harland (O. Fenech 58), J. Saliba, L. Fenech.
Xaghra U:
L. Xuereb, L. Farrugia, M. Bezzina (J. Bajada 67), J.A. Castano, D. Andelovic, M. Mamo, A. Bozovic (S. Galea 83), F.J. Xuereb, S.F. Bajada, J. Vella (K. Mifsud 76), J.Y. Suzuki Bicudo.
Xaghra United confirmed their excellent start in the championship and registered their second consecutive win from their first two matches by defeating SK Victoria Wanderers with a 3-2 score. This was an important match for the two sides who were aiming to obtain the full points at stake not only because the match was considered as a direct clash between two teams who were aiming to establish a safe place on the table but also because Xaghra were coming from a convincing win in their first match of the campaign, while the Wanderers needed to make up for the disappointing defeat conceded on their first league match.
In this match, Xaghra again seemed solid with a hard-working midfield and an effective attack. For most of the first half, the Wanderers seemed in better shape and also opened the score but the Citizens failed to convert their play into more goals so they ended up conceding Xaghra’s equaliser just before the break. Xaghra gained more confidence and surprised Victoria during the opening minutes of the second period where they scored two goals that ultimately determined the outcome of the encounter. The hero for Xaghra in this win was undoubtedly their striker Johan Alberto Castano who scored two personal goals. With this result, Xaghra are joining the top teams on the table while Victoria remains without a point after two matches.
Timeline:
Xaghra had a better start but the Wanderers came out as time passed by and the match became more balanced. The Wanderers had a good patch where they also managed to take the lead but Xaghra managed to level the score just before half time so that they re-opened their chances to clinch the win.
1’ (protests for penalty) Xaghra’s Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo had a good shot that was partially saved by goalie Omar Xuereb and from the rebound the defence cleared to a corner among protests alleging handling.
7’ Xaghra were again dangerous through an effort from a long distance by Damir Andelovic but the ball ended wide.
9’ (post) The Wanderers replied with an initiative by David Garba Emmanuel who released James William Meilak but the latter had his shot that got a deflection and the ball hit the post.
10’ Victoria’s goalie Omar Xuereb left his position in time to block the ball near the edge of the area to deny Lucas Farrugia from scoring.
12’ Xaghra were again dangerous but a low shot but Juian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo ended wide.
26’ The Wanderers went very close to taking the lead but a low shot by David Garba Emmanuel shaved the post.
31’ (1-0) Victoria opened the score when Matthias Cordina delivered a cross towards the goalmouth, Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa’s header was partially saved by goalie Lorjean Xuereb but the Brazilian pushed the ball in the net from the rebound.
32’ The Citizens went close to double their lead but an effort by Matthias Cordina ended wide.
35’ Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb denied Victoria from scoring when he managed to clear with difficulty a header by Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa following a corner action.
38’ Xaghra replied with a good shot by Lucas Farrugia but Victoria’s goalie Omar Xuereb blocked with some difficulty and the defence cleared the ball from the danger area.
44’ (1-1) Xaghra clinched the equaliser when Victoria’s goalie Omar Xuereb partially saved a low shot by Jack Vella and from the rebound, Johan Alberto Castro turned the ball into the net.
45+1’ The Wanderers could have ended the first half in the lead but a good shot by Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa ended just wide.
HT (1 – 0)
Second Half
Xaghra came out more aggressive after the break and saw more of the ball. Xaghra converted their aggressive approach by turning the result in their favour so that they took the driving seat and neutralised Victoria’s sterile reaction. Xaghra practically made sure of the win by scoring a third goal midway through the second half as Victoria’s second goal arrived very late when there was not much time left to complete a comeback.
8’ (1-2) Xaghra turned the result in their favour through a fine strike from outside the area by Jack Vella that ended out of the reach of Victoria’s goalie.
19’ Victoria could have capitalised better but a low shot from a good position by Matthias Cordina was weak and goalie Lorjean Xuereb saved without difficulty.
20’ (1-3) Xaghra punished their opponents for the missed chance as they increased their lead when Johan Alberto Castano passed through Victoria’s defence and netted with a good shot as he entered the area.
21’ Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb was well placed and neutralised without difficulty a shot from a long distance by Luke Fenech.
40’ (2-3) The Wanderers re-opened the issue when Enerson Zammit delivered a cross from the left flank and David Garba Emmanuel headed in goal from an ideal position.
43’ Victoria was very close to saving the result through a shot from outside the area by Matthias Cordina but the ball ended over the crossbar.
45+4’ The Wanderers missed a golden opportunity to score a dramatic equaliser when a cross from the right flank by Neil Camilleri arrived to an unmarked Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa but the Brazilian striker incredibly concluded away from goal.
FT (SKVW 2 – XU 3)
Referee: Andrea Naudi
Asst. Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Gerard William Zammit Young
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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