22 December 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 9) Gozo Stadium
Ghajnsielem FC : 1
Xaghra United FC : 0
82’ (1-0) Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos (Choco)
Ghajnsielem:
L. Buttigieg, H. Muscat (W. Hili 83), Al. Xuereb, D.D. Torres Quinones, M.V. Claudino Ramos (Choco), D. Attard (M.A. Scicluna 71), H.H. Goncalves Barbosa, J. Tabone, J.O. Ezigbo, N.I. Belhadj, D. Hili (K. Bajada 54).
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, J. Bajada (G. Debono 83), S. Galea (S.F. Bajada 63), L. Farrugia, M. Bezzina, J.A. Castano, C. Camilleri (S. Sultana 63), D. Andelovic, M. Mamo, D. Sowatey, J. Vella.
Ghajnsielem took revenge for the 1-4 defeat conceded in the match against Xaghra of the first round and earned the full points at stake from a 1-0 win in the match between the two sides of the second round. Ghajnsielem’s win was well deserved as they dominated play for most of the encounter and produced more scoring opportunities than their opponents. With these points, Ghajnsielem pulled with them SK Victoria Wanderers at the second place from the bottom of the table as the two sides have a nine-point lead over the team occupying the last place Oratory Youths.
In this match, Xaghra United had a disappointing performance. The Blues had striker Suzuki Bicudo missing due to an injury and as a result, they found it extremely difficult to operate breaks within Ghajnsielem’s territory. Although Ghajnsielem were the better side on the field the match was only decided with a goal that arrived eight minutes away from the end of regular time.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Ghajnsielem were more offensive than their opponents for most of the first half but the strikers were often erratic so that they missed some potential scoring opportunities and allowed their opponents to remain in contention until the break.
4’ Ghajnsielem almost capitalise from some hesitation by Xaghra’s defence but goalie Mattia Zammit had a good time and blocked the danger to deny Goncalves Barbosa from concluding towards an open goal.
8’ Ghajnsielem’s Torres Quinones also seemed uncertain in an attempt to clear the ball from his area and risked to commit an own goal but the same central defender recovered and denied Xaghra’s Chris Camilleri from taking advantage by clearing the ball to a corner. From the same corner kick taken by Damir Andelovic, Daniel Sowatey’s hear ended high.
11’ Ghajnsielem could have capitalised better when Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo exchanged the ball with Decon Attard outside Xaghra’s area but the striker saw his low shot that was saved without difficulty by goalie Mattia Zammit.
15’ Xaghra’s goalie was at the right place to save a lob by Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo.
17’ The Blacks operated another good action where Goncalves Barbosa passed to Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo but the latter concluded wide as he was challenged but an opponent.
24’ Ghajnsielem could have created more danger but an attempt from a free kick by Claudino Ramos missed the target.
38’ (goal disallowed) Xaghra’s Daniel Sowatey netted from close distance following a corner action but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.
40’ Ghajnsielem’s Goncalves Barbosa could have created more danger but his shot was weak and goalie Mattia Zammit saved without difficulty.
41’ Xaghra replied with a header by Daniel Sowatey following a free kick by Damir Andelovic but the ball ended away from goal.
43’ (protests for penalty) Ghajnsielem protested for a penalty when Goncalves Barbosa ended on the floor inside Xaghra’s area s he tried to pass with a personal action.
HT (0-0)
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Second Half
Ghajnsielem continued to produce more offensive play and created more dangerous actions than their opponents so that their efforts were rewarded with the decisive goal that arrived a few minutes away from the end of regular time.
8’ Ghajnsielem missed a good scoring opportunity when Decon Attard received the ball inside Xaghra’s area following a cross from the left flank by Goncalves Barbosa but the young striker concluded wide from an unmarked position.
11’ The Blacks were again dangerous when Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo entered Xaghra’s area but his low shot was neutralised by goalie Mattia Zammit.
18’ (protests for penalty) Ghajnsielem protested for a penalty when Naim Ibrahim Belhadj ended on the floor inside Xaghra’s area as he had pressure from an opponent.
19’ Xaghra’s goalie Mattia Zammit as again called to make a good intervention to block an effort by Goncalves Barbosa.
25’ Ghajnsielem’s Claudino Ramos had a shot from outside the area but the ball ended away from goal.
36’ Ghajnsielem had their best scoring opportunity of the encounter when Claudino Ramos delivered the ball inside Xaghra’s area from a free kick but the header by Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo was saved with difficulty to a corner by goalie Mattia Zammit.
37’ (1-0) Ghajnsielem managed to break the deadlock through a shot from outside the area by Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos that surprised Xaghra’s keeper.
42’ Xaghra had an opportunity to level the score when Damir Andelovic passed from the left flank but from his inviting cross, Johan Alberto Castano failed to connect and the ball ended wide.
45’ Ghajnsielem once again threatened Xaghra’s rearguard through a shot from a free kick by Torres Quinones but the ball ended high.
45+2’ Ghajnsielem went again close to seal the win but a shot from a free kick by Claudino Ramos ended wide.
FT (GHJ 1 – XU 0)
Referee: Ezekiel Barbara
Asst. Referees: Duncan Spencer, Rapjan Xhyra
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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