30 September 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 3) Gozo Stadium
Ghajnsielem FC : 1
Xewkija Tigers FC : 2
25’ (1-0) Decon Attard
37’ (1-1) penalty Brian Alejandro Parada
39’ (1-2) Claudio Daniel Frances
66’ (red card) Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos (GHJ)
Ghajnsielem:
L. Buttigieg, H. Muscat, T. Sciberras, Al. Xuereb, D.D. Torres Quinones, M.V. Claudino Ramos (Choco), D. Attard (K. Hili 65), I. Belhadj (D. Hili 65), H.H. Goncalves Barbosa (K. Bajada 90+2), J.O. Ezigbo, N.I. Belhadj.
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, Josh. Buttigieg (J.M. Vella 72), R. Buttigieg, G. Hili (M. Bonnici 90+1), S. Cassar (J. Farrugia 83), C.D. Frances, D. Bugeja, K. Mercieca, B.A. Parada, C. Abela, E. De Sousa Santos.
Xewkija Tigers remain one of three teams without a defeat so far in the championship and took the second spot on the table with a 2-1 win over Ghajnsielem. Both Xewkija and Ghajknsiekem were aiming to obtain a victory from this encounter as Ghajnsielem needed to recover from the disappointing defeat conceded in their previous match while Xewkija dropped two points from their match against Nadur Youngsters.
The match turned out to be quite interesting but the outcome was uncertain. Ghajnsielem produced more offensive play during the first part of the encounter and took a deserved lead but Xewkiaj showed character and turned the result in their favour with two goals scored in the space of a few minutes near the end of the first half. After the break, Xewkija were very cautious and consolidated their defensive department to protect their lead as Ghajnsielem as expected staged a reaction to save the result. Ghajnsielem suffered a setback when they were reduced to ten players but the players on the field oy increased their efforts and kept believing that they can earn at least a point until the end of the match. With this result, Xewkija maintained their chances to challenge for the top position while Ghajnsielem compromised their good start in the championship by conceding the second consecutive defeat.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Ghajnsielem were the better side during the first part of the first half and took a deserved lead but Xewkija had a strong reaction and managed to recover the deficit and take the break with a one-goal lead.
6’ Xewkija could have created more danger when Claudio Daniel Frances received the ball inside Ghajnsielem’s area at an unmarked position but the Argentinian striker hit badly and the ball ended away from goal.
15’ Ghajnsielem replied with a fine strike from outside the area by Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos that was well blocked by goalie Nikola Kosanin and the defence cleared the danger from the rebound.
23’ The Blacks once again threatened Xewkija’s rearguard through a good shot by Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa but the ball ended just high.
25’ (1-0) Ghajnsielem took the lead when Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos released Decon Attard inside Xewkija’s area and the young striker fired in goal from a good position.
27’ (protests for penalty) Ghajnsielem protested for a penalty following a challenge inside Xewkija’s area by Rodney Buttigieg on Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa.
32’ Ghajnsielem continued to create more attempts towards goal and they were also dangerous when a shot from a free kick by Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos ended wide.
33’ Xewkija replied through a close-ranged header by Joshua Buttigieg following a cross from the left flank by Claudio Daniel Frances but Ghajnsielem’s goalie was well placed and saved the danger to a corner.
36’ (1-1) penalty Xewkija were awarded a penalty when Brian Alejandro Parada ended on the floor as soon as he entered Ghajnsielem’s area by Tomas Sciberras and the same striker levelled the score by converting his shot from the penalty spot.
39’ (1-2) Xewkija turned the result in their favour with a goal that arrived through a low shot from long distance by Claudio Daniel Frances that surprised Ghajnsielem’s keeper.
44’ Xewkija’s goalie was again called to make a difficult save to turn to a corner a close-ranged shot from an angled position by Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo.
45+1’ Xewkija went very close to increasing their lead but a first-timer by Brian Alejandro Parada following a cross by Stefan Cassar ended on the side of the net.
HT (1-2)
Second Half
The Blacks came out for the second period determined to produce a reaction but Xewkija were well deployed and managed to keep control of play. Ghajnsielem suffered a setback midway through the second half when they ended with a player less on the field so Xewkija managed to defend their lead with more authority.
6’ Ghajnsielem were dangerous through an attempt from a free kick by Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos but Xewkija’s keeper Nikola Kosanin saved with difficulty to a corner.
18’ Xewkija replied with a good shot by Stefan Cassar that got a defection by the defence and the ball ended in a corner with the goalkeeper beaten.
20’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin was called to make another important intervention to block a strike by Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos.
21’ (red card) Ghajnsielem were reduced to ten players when Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos was shown a second yellow card for a foul in attack on Gennaro Hili.
45’ Ghajnsielem had their last opportunity to save the result but a good shot by Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa was saved by goalie Nikola Kosanin.
45+2’ Xewkija could have added another goal but a shot by substitute Joseph Mario Vella was deflected to a corner by the defence.
FT (GHJ 1 – XT 2)
Referee: Glen Tonna
Asst. Referees: Duncan Sultana, George Anthony Attard
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