7 February 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 14) Gozo Stadium
SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 2
Xewkija Tigers FC : 2
18’ (1-0) Igor Henrique Souza Da Silva
35’ (2-0) penalty Igor Henrique Souza Da Silva
65’ (2-1) Stefan Cassar
71’ (2-2) Brian Alejandro Parada
SK Victoria W:
S. Camilleri, W. Soares Da Silva, C.S. Souza Da Silva, M. Cordina, I.H. Da Silva Costa, E. Zammit, D.G. Emmanuel, S. Harland, N. Grech, A. Touarha (J.W. Meilak 87), L. Fenech.
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, J. Axiak, Jsm. Vella, E. Refalo (J. Farrugia 46), J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja, R. Buttigieg, G. Hili (Jsh. Buttigieg 90), S. Cassar, C.D. Frances, B.A. Parada.
SK Victoria Wanderers let a two-goal lead slip as Xewkija Tigers mounted a strong second-half comeback to secure a 2-2 draw in an entertaining Match-Day 14 encounter at the Gozo Stadium. In this last match of the second round for the two sides, which was played in difficult weather conditions due to the heavy rain, particularly during the second period, both Xewkija and Victoria were aiming to obtain a win as they needed to make up for the defeat they conceded in their respective previous match. With this result, Xewkija maintained their one-point lead over the same Wanderers on the table, while the latter managed to move away from the second place from the bottom.
The Wanderers dominated the first half and seemed on course for a crucial win, taking a deserved lead through a brace from Igor Henrique Souza Da Silva, including a well-taken penalty. However, Xewkija responded with determination after the break, increasing their attacking intensity and putting Victoria’s defence under sustained pressure. Goals from Stefan Cassar and Brian Alejandro Parada turned the momentum in Xewkija’s favour, ultimately earning them a valuable point. Despite late chances for both sides, neither could find a winning goal, leaving the match evenly poised at full-time.
Timeline:
SK Victoria Wanderers came out in better shape and dictated matters ending the first half with a deserved two-goal lead. On the other hand, Xewkija found it difficult to create danger and Victoria’s keeper was not called to make any difficult interventions.
3’ The Wanderers had their first attempt towards Xewkija’s goal through a shot by Emerson Zammit that was well saved by goalie Nikola Kosanin.
6’ Victoria were again dangerous when a cross from right flank by David Garba was headed by Da Silva Costa, but the attempt was weak and the goalkeeper saved without difficulty.
18’ (1-0) SK Victoria Wanderers opened the score when Xewkija’s defence cleared badly a cross from the left flank by Caique Souza Da Silva and Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa took possession, avoided the intervention of his direct opponent and netted with a low shot.
19’ Xewkija replied with a good shot by Gennaro Hili but goalie Samuel Camilleri was well-placed and neutralised the danger.
34’ (2-0) penalty SK Vicotria Wanderers were awarded a penalty for a foul by Ethan Refalo on Sam Harland and Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa converted from the penalty spot.
HT (2-0)
Second Half
Xewkija came out for the second period determined to recover the score and produced pressure on Victoria’s defence from the early stages. The Wanderers suffered Xewkija’s play and found it difficult to get out of their defensive territory so Xewkija kept insisting and levelled the score so that the final stages of the encounter became much more exciting the win could have gone either way..
4’ Xewkija could have reduced the score when Stefan Cassar released substitute Julian Farrugia but the latter saw his attempt that ended wide.
6’ Victoria’s goalie Samuel Camilleri was in the right place and saved a shot from outside Stefan Cassar.
13’ The Wanderers could have increased their lead when Da Silva Costa passed from the left flank but from his inviting pass the shot by Caique Souza Silva was blocked by Xewkija’s defence to a corner.
20’ (2-1) Xewkija reopened the issue when Victoria’s defence cleared a corner kick by Claudio Daniel Frances and Stefan Cassar fired in goal with a first-timer from outside the area.
23’ The Wanderers replied with an attempt directly from a free kick by Caique Souza Da Silva but goalie Nikola Kosanin turned to a corner with some difficulty.
25’ Xewkija could have created more danger when Rodney Buttigieg delivered a cross from the right flank but Brian Alejandro Parada’s header was weak and the goalkeeper saved without difficulty.
26’ (2-2) Xewkija levelled the score when Brian Alejandro Parada defended the ball inside Victoria’s area following a cross by Joseph Mario Vella and the striker released himself from his direct opponent and netted with a low shot towards the far post.
34’ The Wanderers missed an opportunity to create danger on Xewkija’s goal when Sam Harland received the ball at an unmarked position but his curling shot missed the target.
45’ Victoria could have scored the decisive goal of the encounter but a shot from an ideal position by Sam Harland was blocked to a corner.
45+3’ Xewkija had the last scoring opportunity but a shot from a free kick by Brian A, Alejandro Parada was blocked by Victoria’s goalie.
FT (SKVW 2 – XT 2)
Referee: Ezekiel Barbara
Asst. Referees: Thomas Debono, Anthony Paul Vella
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