2 November 2024
GFA KO 1st Division (Q/finals) Kercem Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 1
Qala Saints FC : 0
73’ (1-0) Eduardo De Sousa Santos
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, Jsm. Vella, J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja, R. Buttigieg (Josi. Buttigieg 89), G. Hili (K. Mercieca 85), S. Cassar (Jsh. Buttigieg 89), C.D. Frances, B.A. Parada, C. Abela, E. De Sousa Santos.
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez (K. Farrugia 88), Jsph. Buttigieg, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, C. Mercieca, E.E Ruiz, Emm. Buttigieg, G. Cardona (J. Parnis 60), A.M. Bustos, N.C. Njoku (P. Rapa 90), I. Nedeljkovic.
In the first match from the quarter-final stage of the GFA Division 1 Knock Out competition, holders Qala Saints conceded a 0-1 defeat to Xewkija Tigers and, therefore, missed the opportunity to keep hoping to defend this honour.
In this match, which was considered the main contest in the quarter-final stage, the two sides were aiming for qualification as Qala were looking to extend their series of wins which has been going on since the last matches of the last season, while Xewkija Tigers needed to confirm their signs of recovery following a disappointing run in their first matches of the championship. In the end, the encounter between Qala and Xewkija lived up to the expectations as play was balanced throughout the ninety minutes and the qualification remained uncertain until the final whistle. Qala however, may have expressed some overconfidence in their approach to this match as they were very erratic in their final passing and finishing so their serious scoring opportunities were very rare. On the other hand, Xewkija had a strong defensive deployment and throughout the match, they managed to produce dangerous breaks which often created difficulty on Qala’s defence.
Xewkija earned the qualification for the semifinals, where they will meet SK Victoria Wanderers when they scored the only goal of the encounter that arrived just before the half-hour mark of the second period from a corner action.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
The favourites for qualification Qala Saints tried to take control of play from the early stages of the encounter but Xewkija were well deployed and denied their opponents from creating serious danger within their territory. The Tigers on the other hand were more direct in their offensive play but they also found it difficult to conclude towards Qala’s goal so during the first half the two goalkeepers were not called to make any difficult interventions.
23’ Xewkija could have capitalised better but an attempt from a free kick by Claudio Daniel Frances missed the target.
34’ Qala had their best opportunity to take the lead through an effort by Igor Nedeljkovic but the ball ended away from goal.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
Play continued to be well contested after the break with very few actions on goal so the outcome of the encounter remained uncertain. Xewkija managed to break the deadlock and scored the goal that decided the issue but Qala’s reaction became confused and found it very difficult to recover the score to force extra time.
28’ (1-0) Xewkija opened the score when Qala’s rearguard failed to clear the ball from their area following a corner kick by Claudio Daniel Frances and Eduardo De Sousa Santos fired in goal from the resultant melee.
37’ Qala’s best opportunity to level the score arrived through a fine shot by Christian Mercieca but the ball was stopped by the crossbar.
FT (XT 1 – QS 0)
Referee: Joseph Scerri
Asst. Referees: David Castillo, Reuben Spiteri Delicata
Photo: Anthony Cassar
0 Comments