Qala Saints reach the semifinals with a large win

by | Nov 15, 2024 | 24/25, BOV GFA Cup, GFL 1st Div, GFL 2nd Div, Match Report, News

9 November 2024

BOV GFA Cup (Q/finals) Kercem Stadium

Qala Saints FC : 6

Sannat Lions FC : 0

37’ (1-0) Igor Nedeljkovic

55’ (2-0) Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz

60’ (3-0) Gabriel Cardona

64’ (4-0) Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz

65’ (5-0) Igor Nedeljkovic

81’ (6-0) Igor Nedeljkovic

Qala S:

F. Buttigieg, N. Inguanez, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, P. Rapa (C. Mercieca 61), K. Farrugia, E.E Ruiz, Emm. Buttigieg (Jsph. Buttigieg 61), J. Parnis, G. Cardona, A.M. Bustos, I. Nedeljkovic (C. Bartolo 86).

Sannat L:

K. Attard, S. Sillato (M. Xuereb 70), G. Portelli, O.J. Obaje, E. Gauci, V.H. Alves Fernandes, P. Said (K. Calleja 61), D. Bellotti (T. Agius 50), E. Bennici (W. Debono 70), L. Almeida Da Silva, J.G. Da Silva (M. Vella 70).

Holders of the BOV GFA Cup Qala Saints inflicted a 6-0 win over second-division side Sannat Lions to reach the semifinals of the second most important honour in Gozitan football for the second consecutive season.

For this match, the Maroons had Nathan Chukwudi Njoku missing since he was called to form part of the Malta U/21 National team, but they still dominated their opponents throughout the 90 minutes.  Qala’s large win however matured with five goals that arrived after the break.  During the first period, Sannat made it difficult for their more quoted opponents to convert their supremacy in goals since Qala’s strikers were often disturbed by the defenders in their finishing and Sannat’s goalie was also in a fine form to protect his goal.

Sannat however threw the towel as they conceded the second goal during the first part of the second period so Qala took full advantage and made sure of the qualification by scoring more goals and the final score respected the difference of the side.

Photo: Anthony Cassar

Timeline:

From the first minutes of the match, Qala produced pressure on Sannat’s defence, but the strikers missed some good scoring opportunities, so the holders of the BOV GFA Cup only managed to score one goal before the end of the first half.

2’ The first serious scoring opportunity arrived from Sannat through a shot by Aud-Gustine James Obaje. Still, Qala’s goalie Franco Buttigieg was well-placed and saved the danger with some difficulty.

4’ Qala replied with a shot from a good position by Gabriel Cardona but the ball ended wide.

5’ The Maroons were again dangerous when a cross by Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz arrived at Igor Nedeljkovic but the header by the striker ended wide.

17’ In another good action by Qala a shot by Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz was weak and Sannat’s goalie Kyle Attard saved without difficulty.

18’ The same goalkeeper Kyle Attard was well placed and saved an attempt from a good position by Angel Miguel Bustos.

34’ Qala’s striker Igor Nedeljkovic went again close to put his side in the lead but his shot was saved to a corner by goalie Kyle Attard.

37’ (1-0) Qala opened the score when Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz delivered a cross inside Sannat’s area and Igor Nedeljkovic netted with a good header from close distance.

43’ Qala could have doubled the score but a shot from an unmarked position by Igor Nedeljkovic missed the target.

44’ (post) Qala were again dangerous when a cross by Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz arrived to Igor Nedceljkovic but the latter saw his header that was stopped by the post and from the rebound consecutive attempts by Paul Rapa and Gabriel Carodna were blocked by the defence and the goalkeeper.

HT (1-0)

Second Half

Qala maintained their momentum after the break and scored their second goal after only ten minutes of play of the second period so Sannat were demoralised and the Maroons took full advantage to score on five more occasions before the final whistle.

10’ (2-0) Qala doubled their lead with a goal that arrived from a direct free kick by Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz.

15’ (3-0) Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos passed inside Sannat’s area to Gabriel Cardona who netted with a low shot from close distance.

17’ Qala could have scored another goal but substitute Christian Mercieca failed to connect to an inviting low cross by Igor Nedeljkovic.

19’ Qala’s goalie Franco Buttigieg denied Sannat from scoring a consolation goal when he blocked a strike by substitute Tristen Agius.

19’ (4-0) The Maroons added another goal when Gabriel Cardona released Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz who concluded in goal with a good shot.

20’ (5-0) The fifth goal for Qala arrived when Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz released Igor Nedceljkovic who netted with a shot from inside the area.

36’ (6-0) Sannat continued to suffer Qala’s pressure and conceded another goal when Christian Mercieca delivered a good cross and Igor Nedeljkovic headed in the net from close distance.

43’ Qala could have scored another goal but an effort by Nicholas Inguanez ended wide.

FT (QS 6 – SL 0)

Referee: Anthony Paul Vella

Asst. Referees: Darko Stankovic, Paul Apap

Photo: Anthony Cassar

Be the number 1 fan!

Support your team by attending matches in person. You can purchase tickets online from the GFA Website.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

BOV Gozo Football League First Division

Get the latest

Subscribe to Web Push Notifications to get the latest GFA news, results and updates!

Related posts

Nadur Youngsters ease past Oratory Youths

Nadur Youngsters ease past Oratory Youths

10 November 2024 BOV GFA Cup (Q/finals) Kercem Stadium Nadur Youngsters FC : 9 Oratory Youths FC: 1 7’ (1-0) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins 35’ (2-0) o.g. Luis Gabriel Santos Silva 49’ (3-0) Joseph Zammit 51’ (4-0) Igor De Jesus De Santana 55’ (5-0) Matthias Mercieca...

read more
SK Victoria Wanderers earn qualification with a close win

SK Victoria Wanderers earn qualification with a close win

9 November 2024 BOV GFA Cup (Q/finals) Kercem Stadium Xaghra United FC : 1 SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 2 31’ (0-1) o.g. Sam Frank Bajada 65’ (0-2) David Garba Emmanuel 72’ (1-2) Damir Andelovic Xaghra U: M. Zammit, L. Farrugia, M. Bezzina, J.A. Castano, D. Andelovic,...

read more

Written by GozoFA