15 December 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 8) Gozo Stadium
SK Victoria Wanderers FC: 2
Qala Saints FC: 1
65’ (0-1) Joseph Buttigieg
74’ (1-1) David Garba Emmanuel
90’ (2-1) Neil Camilleri
SK Victoria W:
O. Xuereb (S. Camilleri 46), A. Galiano Lazarini, N. Camilleri, V.F. Mihai, M. Cordina, I.H. Da Silva Costa, E. Zammit, D.G. Emmanuel, S. Harland, O. Fenech, L. Fenech.
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez (E. Grozdanov 46), Jsph. Buttigieg, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, C. Mercieca, E.E Ruiz, Emm. Buttigieg, J. Parnis, A.M. Bustos (K. Farrugia 79), N.C. Njoku, I. Nedeljkovic.
In the most anticipated clash of the weekend, SK Victoria Wanderers pulled off a surprising 2-1 victory over league leaders Qala Saints. Qala entered the match as favourites, seeking another win to maintain their perfect record and extend their lead at the top of the table. However, the Saints fell short, suffering their first defeat of the championship. This result denied Qala the chance to widen the gap with their closest challengers, leaving the race for the top spot wide open.
The victory for SK Victoria Wanderers was well-deserved, as they appeared more motivated to secure the points needed to move away from the bottom of the standings. The Wanderers showcased a disciplined defensive performance, led by veteran Galliano Lazzarini, who was making his final appearance for the team after two seasons. Their midfield, spearheaded by the energetic David Garba on the flank, proved to be very effective and the Citizens were never outclassed by their more quoted opponents. As a result, the outcome of the encounter was uncertain and the win could have gone either way. The hero of the match was Victoria’s young skipper and central defender Neil Camilleri, who netted the decisive goal in the dying moments.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Play during the first half was evenly balanced, with few significant chances for either side as the two defensive departments were in control of the respective strikers and both sides took the break on a goalless draw.
11’ Qala could have created more danger but a shot by Igor Nedeljkovic narrowly missed the target.
14’ Victoria responded with a header from Lazzarini following a corner action, but it went over the bar.
15’ Qala produced a threatening action through Nathan Njoku’s run who passed to Jordi Parnis but the latter had his shot that was well saved by Victoria goalkeeper Omar Xuereb.
41’ Qala came close to take the lead when Nedeljkovic set up Christian Mercieca inside Victoria’s area but the same Mercieca controlled badly and allowed the goalkeeper to recover.
45’ The Wanderers had another attempt that could have created danger to Qala’s defence but a shot from outside the area by Vasile-Fernando Mihai ended away from goal.
45+1’ Qala’s last attempt towards Victoria’s goal of the first half arrived through a shot by Nicholas Inguanez but the ball missed the target.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
The second half was far more dynamic, with both teams creating chances and increasing the tempo. The two sides were more offensive in their approach and it was not surprising that the encounter was decided with a late goal.
7’ The Wanderers produced the first attempt towards the goal of the second period through a shot from a long distance by Emerson Zammit but the ball ended wide.
8’ Victoria’s goalie Samuel Camilleri was well placed and saved without difficult a shot by Christian Mercieca.
13’ (post) Victoria came closer to opening the scoring with a free kick from Luke Fenech that surprised the defence and the ball hit the post, but Qala’s goalkeeper Owen Attard managed to recover and cleared the danger.
13’ Qala replied in the following action when Igor Nedeljkovic entered Victoria’s area but his low drive aimed towards the far post, when the goalkeeper left his position, ended wide.
16’ Victoria’s Matthias Cordina had a shot from a long distance but the ball ended away from the goal.
19’ Qala’ threatened Victoria’s defence when Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz released Igor4 Nedeljkovic inside the area but the striker saw his shot that was turned to a corner with difficulty by goalie Samuel Camilleri.
20’ (0-1) Qala broke the deadlock when Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz delivered a cross into the box following a short corner action, Manuel Bustos’ initial shot was partially saved, but Joseph Buttigieg pounced on the rebound to slot it home.
29’ (1-1) The Wanderers had an immediate reaction and managed to level the score when Qala’s goalkeeper misjudged a corner kick from Vasile-Fernando Mihai and David Garba Emmanuel tapped into an empty net.
31’ The Wanderers kept insisting and were also dangerous when David Garba Emmanuel entered Qala’s territory with a personal action but his final shot ended wide.
37’ Qala could have regained the lead when Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz unmarked Christian Mercieca from a well-prepared free kick but the latter saw his shot from an ideal position that ended wide.
42’ Victoria went close to turn the result in their favour but Qala’s goalkeeper Owen Attard denied Owen Fenech’s long-range strike, pushing it out for a corner.
44’ The same goalkeeper was called to make another difficult intervention to turn to a corner a strike by Vaile-Fernando Mihai.
45’ (2-1) In the final moments, Victoria secured the win. From a corner by Vasile-Fernando Mihai, Galliano Lazzarini headed the ball towards the goalmouth and Neil Camilleri’s initial shot was blocked, but the same player converted the rebound to seal the victory.
FT (SKVW 2 – QS 1)
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Asst. Referees: Shaun Calleja, Paul Apap
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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