23 February 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 16) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC: 1
Ghajnsielem FC: 4
10’ (1-0) Marlon Mamo
41’ (1-1) penalty Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos
45+1’ (1-2) Esneider Antonio Daza Carranza
52’ (penalty missed – saved) Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo (XU)
62’ (1-3) penalty Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos (Choco)
88’ (1-4) Esneider Antonio Daza Carranza
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, J. Bajada (C. Galea 63), L. Meilak, L. Farrugia, M. Bezzina, C. Camilleri (G.
Debono 83), D. Andelovic, M. Mamo, D. Sowatey, F.J. Xuereb, J.Y. Suzuki Bicudo.
Ghajnsielem:
G. Parnis, H. Muscat, Al. Xuereb, W. Hili, M.V. Claudino Ramos (Choco), E.A. Daza
Caranza (N. Sultzn 90), J. Tabone, K.L. Nunes Santos, N.I. Belhadj, M.A. Scicluna (M.
Camilleri 46), K. Bajada (K. Hili 71).
Ghajnsielem overturned a deficit to claim a 4-1 victory over Xaghra United, lifting
themselves off the second-to-last spot in the standings and keeping their hopes alive of
avoiding the relegation play-off at the end of the season. This was Ghajnsielem’s
second win against Xaghra in the league, having already defeated them in their
previous encounter during the second round.
For this match, both teams were missing some key players, but they each needed the
three points for different reasons. Xaghra sought a win to stay in the race with the
leading teams, while Ghajnsielem were desperate for points to escape the bottom of the
table. As a result, the game turned into a highly competitive affair, with the final
outcome uncertain for much of the match.
Xaghra started better but gradually allowed their opponents to gain a foothold in the
game. By halftime, Ghajnsielem had managed to turn the match around. Xaghra
attempted to recover in the second half but was wasteful in front of goal, even missing
a penalty, while Ghajnsielem capitalized on defensive gaps with dangerous
counterattacks. Young goalkeeper Gabriel Parnis was a standout performer for
Ghajnsielem, not only saving the penalty but also making crucial interventions to deny
Xaghra on multiple occasions.
Timeline:
Xaghra appeared more determined in the opening phase of the match, maintaining
pressure on their opponents and deservedly taking the lead. However, Ghajnsielem
recovered from a difficult spell and gradually became more threatening, scoring twice
before halftime to enter the break with an advantage.
8’ Xaghra nearly created a dangerous opportunity when Damir Andelovic delivered a
low cross into the box, but Lucas Farrugia failed to connect.
10’ (1-0) Xaghra took the lead when Lucas Farrugia set up Marlon Mamo, who
surprised the goalkeeper with a first-time shot from the edge of the box.
13’ Xaghra threatened again as a cross from Suzuki Bicudo found Lucas Farrugia, but
his header went wide.
19’ Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Gabriel Parnis made an important save, turning away a
well-placed shot from Lucas Farrugia for a corner.
26’ Ghajnsielem responded with a shot from Daza Carranza that was saved by
Xaghra’s goalkeeper, Mattia Zammit.
36’ Zammit was called into action again, saving two bicycle kick attempts from Mark
Anthony Scicluna following a corner.
38’ Ghajnsielem came close to scoring when Daza Carranza dribbled into the box, but
his shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. His second attempt from the rebound was also
deflected for a corner.
40’ (1-1) – Penalty Ghajnsielem equalized from the penalty spot after Daniel Sowatey
fouled Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos. The same player converted the penalty past the
goalkeeper.
43’ Ghajnsielem gained confidence and threatened with a header from Kurt Bajada,
following a cross from James Tabone, but the ball went wide.
44’ Xaghra responded with a powerful shot from Suzuki Bicudo, but it missed the target.
45+1’ (1-2) Ghajnsielem took the lead when Kaio Nunes Santos sent a header into the
box, and Esneider Antonio Daza Carranza outpaced the goalkeeper to head the ball
into the net.
HT (1-2)
Second Half:
Xaghra came out more aggressive in the second half, while Ghajnsielem focused on
consolidating their defence to protect their lead. The match became more dynamic, with
opportunities on both ends as Ghajnsielem looked to exploit spaces in Xaghra’s
defence through counterattacks.
1’ Xaghra nearly equalised within 40 seconds of the restart when Damir Andelovic
played in Chris Camilleri, but his first-time shot went wide.
6’ (protests for penalty) Xaghra protested for a penalty, claiming Kaio Nunes Santos
handled the ball while clearing danger from the box.
7’ (penalty missed – saved) Xaghra were awarded a penalty after Suzuki Bicudo’s shot
struck Wayne Hili’s hand. However, Bicudo’s effort from the spot was saved by
Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Gabriel Parnis.
15’ Xaghra came very close to scoring, but defender James Rabone cleared a goal-
bound effort off the line to prevent a certain goal.
17’ (1-3) – Penalty Ghajnsielem extended their lead from the penalty spot after Daniel
Sowatey was penalised for handling a shot by Kaio Nunes Santos. Marcus Vinicius
Claudino Ramos converted the penalty past the goalkeeper.
21’ Gabriel Parnis made another key save, turning away a well-struck shot from Suzuki
Bicudo for a corner.
23’ Ghajnsielem almost added another goal when Kurt Bajada set up Kaio Nunes
Santos was inside the box, but the forward hesitated, allowing the defence to block his shot
for a corner.
33’ Parnis continued his heroics, blocking a dangerous shot from outside the box by
Michael Bezzina.
36’ The young goalkeeper was tested again, saving a close-range header from Lucas
Farrugia after a long cross by Damir Andelovic.
42’ Xaghra had a chance to get back into the match when Lucas Farrugia sent in a
cross, but substitute Calvin Galea’s header went wide.
43’ (1-4) Ghajnsielem sealed the victory when Kaio Nunes Santos headed the ball
forward, allowing Esneider Antonio Daza Carranza to advance into the box and finish
past the goalkeeper.
FT (XU 1 – GHJ 4)
Referee: Anthony Paul Vella
Asst. Referees: Max-Lee Muscat Jareth Grima
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