1 December 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 7) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 3
SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 2
18’ (0-1) Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa
22’ (1-1) Brian Alejandro Parada
36’ (1-2) penalty Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa
69’ (2-2) Stefan Cassar
75’ (3-2) Julian Farrugia
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, Jsm. Vella, J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja, Jsih. Buttigieg (J. Farrugia 61), Jshu. Buttigieg (M. Bonnici 70), R. Buttigieg, G. Hili, S. Cassar (K. Mercieca 87), B.A. Parada, C. Abela, E. De Sousa Santos.
SK Victoria W:
O. Xuereb (A. Camilleri 74), A. Galiano Lazarini, N. Camilleri, J.W. Meilak (O. Fenech 70), V.F. Mihai, M. Cordina, I.H. Da Silva Costa, E. Zammit, D.G. Emmanuel, S. Harland, L. Fenech.
In the last match from the first round of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division, Xewkija Tigers came twice from behind to turn a defeat into a 3-2 win over SK Victoria Wanderers. This was an important clash between two teams who needed points to move away from the relegation zone and as a result, the match lived up to the expectations and the final score remained uncertain until the final whistle. With this win Xewkija also took revenge for the defeat conceded a few weeks ago in a match against the same Wanderers from the Knock Out competition for the top flight.
The ninety minutes of play between Xewkija and SK Victoria Wanderers produced scoring opportunities at the two ends of the field. The Wanderers were twice in the lead in this match but Xewkija showed character and not only recovered the score on the two occasions but also scored the decisive goal at a crucial time so that they were in the driving seat to administer play and to resist to Victoria’s reaction during the final minutes. In this match, Victoria’s striker Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa continued to express a good moment of form and scored two more personal goals to consolidate his leadership as the current Top-Scorer of the first division. On the other hand, Xewkija had Claudio Daniel Frances missing for this match due to an injury but their young talented striker Julian Farrugia, who came in as a substitute during the second period, continued to impress and in this match ended up the hero for his side by scoring the goal that decided this crucial match.
Timeline:
Xewkija came out more aggressive and during the first minutes of the encounter they dictated matters. However, the Citizens were well deployed and neutralised Xewkija’s initiative so that as time passed by they became more dangerous with their breaks. The Wanderers broke the deadlock but conceded Xewkija’s comeback but managed to take the break with a one-goal lead that arrived from a penalty kick.
5’ Victoria’s goalie Omar Xuereb was called to make a difficult intervention to turn to a corner a cross-shot from the right flank by Rodney Buttigieg.
9’ SK Victoria Wanderers could have capitalised from their first serious action within Xewkija’s territory when Emerson Zammit released David Garba Emmanuel but the latter saw his two consecutive attempts were blocked by Xewkija’s keeper Nikola Kosanin and the defence.
10’ Victoria risked to commit an own goal when Rodney Buttigieg’s cross arrived to Brian Alejandro Parada who had his effort deflected by defender Luke Fenech but goalie Omar Xuereb had a quick reaction and blocked the danger.
18’ (0-1) SK Victoria Wanderers opened the score when Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa passed through Xewkija’s rearguard after exchanging the ball with Vaile-Fernando Mihai, the Brazilian striker turned around the goalkeeper and netted with a low drive.
20’ Xewkija had an immediate reaction and was dangerous through a close-range shot by Stefan Cassar that was blocked by goalie Omar Xuereb.
22’ (1-1) Xewkija levelled the score through a fine header by Brian Alejandro Parada following a cross from the left flank by Josiah Buttigieg, that ended out of the reach of Victoria’s keeper.
24’ Xewkija could have created more danger but Joshua Buttigieg’s effort from a good position was weak and goalie Omar Xuereb saved without difficulty.
35’ (penalty) The Wanderers were awarded a penalty for a tackle by Joseph Mario Vella on
Vasile-Fernando Mihai tried to pass inside Xewkija’s area with a personal action.
36’ (1-2) penalty The Citizens capitalised from this opportunity as they regained the lead with the shot from the penalty spot by Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa.
HT (1-2)
Second Half
During the opening stages of the second period, the Wanderers seemed more confident but they failed to consolidate their lead Xewkija recovered from the difficult patch and managed to stage a reaction so that they turned the score in their favour.
9’ (protests for penalty) Xewkija protested for a penalty as Stefan Cassar ended on the floor inside Victoria’s area following a challenge by Sam Harland but Xewkija’s player was shown a yellow card for simulation.
11’ SK Victoria Wanderers went close to add another goal but a strike by Vasile-Fernando Mihai ended wide.
12’ Xewkija replied with a potential scoring opportunity but a shot on the run by Denzil Bugeja following a cross by Rodney Buttigieg missed the target.
15’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin was called to make an important intervention to keep this side in contention when he blocked another good attempt by Victoria’s Vasile-Fernando Mihai
19’ The Wanderers missed another opportunity to create danger on Xewkija’s goal as a shot by Vasile-Fernando Mihai was weak and goalie Nikola Kosanin saved without difficulty. 24’ (2-2) Xewkija punished their opponents for the missed chances and scored the equaliser following a prolonged action as Victoria’s goalie Omar Xuereb left his position in time to deny Brian Alejandro Parda from concluding towards goal but from the resultant melee the defence failed to clear the danger while Xewkija’s substitute Julian Farrugia and Joshua Buttigieg missed the opportunity to conclude towards goal. As a result, the goalkeeper ended up outside his area and conceded a free kick to stop the action. From the resultant free kick, the shot by Brian Alejandro Parada was partially saved by the goalkeeper but from the rebound, Stefan Cassar netted easily from close distance.
31’ (3-2) Xewkija increased their efforts and managed to score the goal that decided the issue when Brian Alejandro Parada released Julian Farrugia who ran towards Victoria’s area and defeated substitute goalkeeper Samuel Camilleri with a low shot.
33’ (protests for penalty) SK Victorias Wanderers tried to recover the score and protested for a penalty alleging a hands ball when a shot by Vasile-Fernando Mihai was blocked by the defence.
Victoria produced some form of pressure on Xewkija‘s rearguard but the strikers did not find much opportunity to create danger.
39’ Xewkija went close to seal the win but a strike by Brian Alejandro Parada ended away from goal.
45+1’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin was well placed and neutralised a shot from a free kick by Victoria’s Vasile-Fernando Mihai.
45+3’ SK Victoria Wanderers had their last opportunity to save the result but a good shot by Vasile- Fernando Mihai ended just wide.
FT (XT 3 – SKVW 2)
Referee: Vladimir Rizoski
Asst. Referees: Max-Lee Muscat, Darko Stankovic
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