26 October 2024
BOV GFA Cup (Prel Rd) Kercem Stadium
Sannat Lions FC: 4
Munxar Falcons FC : 3
After Extra Time
58’ (1-0) Jean Gustavo Da Silva
66’ (1-1) Aroldo Da Silva Arruda
71’ (1-2) penalty Aroldo Da Silva Arruda
80’ (2-2) Eric Gauci
87’ (3-2) Aud-Gustine James Obaje
90+2’ (3-3) Aroldo Da Silva Arruda
94’ (red card) Daniel Mesa Pineros (MF)
119’ (4-3) Paul Said
Sannat L:
K. Attard, S. Sillato, W. Debono (K. Xuereb 91), G. Portelli, O.J. Obaje, E. Gauci, T. Agius (A. Attard 61), M. Xuereb (K. Calleja 61), E. Bennici (G. Xerri 90), T. Grech (P. Said 40), J.G. Da Silva.
Munxar F:
J. Micallef, K. Borg, D. Azzopardi, A. Da Silva Arruda (O. Atzori 105), N. Mifsud, N. Mercieca, D. Mesa Pineros, E. Galea (P. Parnis 87), S. Muscat (M. Zammit 81, G. Attard 87), J.G. Vella, O. Curmi.
In the second match from the preliminary round of the BOV GFA Cup Sannat Lions obtained a dramatic 4-3 win after extra-time over Munxar Falcons so they will now face holders Qalas Saints in the quarter-final stage of the competition.
This match between the two teams from the lower category, which is also considered a derby match between two neighbouring localities, was the second one this season as Sannat and Munxar met in the first round of the 2nd Division Challenge Cup where the latter obtained an 8-0 win. The two teams were coming from an inconsistent start in the league as they both won one match and lost the other in the first two match days. Thus, Sannat and Munxar were both aiming to obtain the qualification from this match for various reasons but more than anything the win was important to gain confidence for their next commitments in the league.
The match turned out into a typical cup tie from the beginning of the second period as Munxar held territorial supremacy during the first half but Sannat managed to resist the pressure and the two sides took the break on a goalless draw. After the resumption, the two sides became much more adventurous and they both managed to recover from difficult moments when they had to chase their opponents. At the end the qualification could have gone either way and it was very close to being decided by a penalty shoot-out but Sannat scored the goal that decided the issue a few seconds away from the end of extra time when Munxar did not have enough time to try and save the result.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Munxar saw more of the ball throughout the first period and produced more attempts at goal than their opponents. However, Munxar’s strikers were often erratic and on other occasions Sannat’s keeper made important interventions so that the two sides remained in contention for the qualification as the first half ended in a goalless draw.
3’ Munxar could have scored an early goal but a good effort by Nathaniel Mercieca was well saved by Sannat’s goalie Kyle Attard.
8’ The Falcons once again threatened Sannat’s defence through a fine shot from a good position by Aroldo Da Silva Arruda but the ball ended away from goal.
31’ Sannat had their best shot towards Sannat’s goal when Michael Xuereb had the opportunity to conclude from a good position by goalie Joel Micallef was well placed and blocked the danger.
37’ Sannat’s goalie was again called to make a difficult intervention to save a shot by Munxar’s Nathaniel Mercieca.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
The second half became much more exciting as Sannat came out of their defence and tried to be more offensive than their opponents. The two sides were in the lead but on the two occasions, the respective opponents levelled the score so that the win could have gone either way and it was not surprising that the qualification had to be decided in extra time.
13’ (1-0) Sannat opened the score when Munxar’s defence cleared the ball from the area following a free kick and Jean Gustavo Da Silva took the opportunity and netted with a fine shot towards the far post.
16’ Munxar replied with a header by Daniel Mesa Pineros following a free kick by Joseph George Vella but the ball ended high.
21’ (1-1) Munxar levelled the score when Neil Mifsud received the ball on the right flank from a free kick and his low cross Sannat’s defence failed to clear the danger and Aroldo Da Silva Arruda fired in goal despite the pressure of an opponent.
25’ (1-2) The Falcons turned the result in their favour when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by goalie Kyle Attard on Aroldo Da Silva Arruda and the same Brazilian striker netted his shot from the penalty spot.
35’ (2-2) Sannat were not demoralised and recovered the deficit when Samuel Sillato delivered a cross from the left flank and skipper Eric Gauci headed in goal from an unmarked position.
42’ (3-2) Sannat regained the lead and seemed to head towards a win when substituting Andrew Mizzi delivered the ball towards the goalmouth with a corner kick and Aud-Gustine James Obaje surprised the defence and netted with a close-range header.
45+2’ (3-3) Munxar’s efforts were rewarded and forced the match into extra time as they levelled the score when Sannat’s goalie partially saved an effort by Daniel Mesa Pineros from a corner action and the ball arrived to Aroldo Da Silva Arruda who fired in goal from a good position.
45+4’ Munxar could have scored a dramatic win but an effort by Aroldo Da Silva Arruda was well saved by Sannat’s goalie Kyle Attard.
90 mins. (SL 3 – MF 3)
Extra Time
Play during the extra time was quite contested but the actions on goal were rare so the qualification was determined with a goal scored seconds away from the final whistle.
1st Half
4’ (red card) Munxar were reduced to ten players when Daniel Mesa Pineros was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul in the midfield.
2nd Half
13’ Munxar went very close to taking the lead but a lob by Nathaniel Mercieca defeated Sannat’s goalie but the ball was stopped by the crossbar.
14’ (4-3) Sannat scored the decisive goal when substitute Paul Said passed through Munxar’s defence with personal action and netted with a low shot that ended out of the reach of Munxar’s goalie.
FT a.e.t. (SL 4 – MF 3)
Referee: Andrea Naudi
Asst. Referees: Ranald Portelli, Darko Stankovic
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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