19 March 2025
GFA Knock Out 2nd Division (S/Final 2) Gozo Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC : 6
Gharb Rangers FC : 0
10’ (1-0) Ryan Saliba
16’ (2-0) Cesar Velez Da Silva
62’ (3-0) Cesar Velez Da Silva
66’ (4-0) Samuel Azzopardi
67’ (5-0) Cesar Velez Da Silva
71’ (6-0) Samuel Azzopardi
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, D. Cassar, A. Azzopardi (K. Sciberras 69), J. Theuma (T. Markovic 60) , C. Cutajar, R. Saliba, C. Vella (L. Sultana 69), A. Mizzi (A. Xuereb 46), A. Debrincat (L. Atzori 46), S. Azzopardi, C. Velez Da Silva.
Gharb R:
A. Micallef, A. Sultana, D. Galea (E. Vella 46), T. Axiak, S. Gauci, B.O. Igbinobaro, F. Xuereb (C. Zammit 64), J. Xerri (K. Theuma 77), M. Xuereb, N.J. Camilleri, A. Camenzuli.
In the second semi-final match of the Second Division Knock-Out competition, Kercem Ajax scored two early goals against Gharb Rangers and continued to dominate, securing qualification for the final with four more goals in the second half. With this result, Kercem remain the favourites to win all Second Division competitions this season, having already claimed the Challenge Cup and being mathematically certain of winning the league title.
In this match, Kercem dictated play for the entire 90 minutes. However, after scoring two early goals, they became somewhat careless with their finishing and had to wait until the latter stages of the match to make their victory certain with more goals. On the other hand, Gharb tried to challenge their more highly rated opponents and did their best to keep the scoreline respectable.
Timeline:
Kercem had a fantastic start, quickly establishing a comfortable two-goal lead, which helped ease the pressure of securing qualification. They could have extended their lead further before halftime, but Gharb remained determined and defended well, preventing Kercem’s attackers from scoring more goals.
8’ Gharb’s goalkeeper Andre Micallef made a great save, turning away a shot from Cesar Velez Da Silva after a poor defensive clearance.
10’ (1-0) Kercem opened the scoring with a shot from outside the box by Ryan Saliba, which deceived goalkeeper Andre Micallef and found the net.
16’ (2-0) Kercem doubled their lead when Ryan Saliba crossed from the right, and Cesar Velez Da Silva controlled inside the box before directing the ball toward the goal. Despite efforts from the goalkeeper and defenders to stop it, the ball crossed the goal line.
26’ Gharb avoided conceding another goal when, from a short corner, Andre Azzopardi crossed into the box. Andreas Debrincat flicked it toward goal, but Cesar Velez Da Silva’s shot was cleared off the line by a defender.
31’ Kercem was threatened again with a shot from Samuel Azzopardi that went over the bar.
40’ Gharb had their best chance to reduce the deficit when Baldwin Osayi Ogbinobaro struck weakly from a good position, allowing goalkeeper Daniel Spiteri to make a comfortable save.
HT (2-0)
Second Half:
In the second half, Kercem maintained control of the match and became increasingly dangerous as time passed, scoring four more goals.
8’ Kercem substitute Lorenzo Atzori had a shot from a good position that went wide.
17’ (3-0) – Kercem extended their lead when a long-range shot from Ryan Saliba was deflected, allowing Cesar Velez Da Silva, who was unmarked, to finish easily.
21’ (4-0). Kercem’s fourth goal came when Velez Da Silva set up Samuel Azzopardi inside the box. His initial shot was saved by Andre Micallef, but Azzopardi followed up on the rebound and scored into an empty net.
22’ (5-0) – Kercem scored again when Lorenzo Atzori played the ball into the box for Cesar Velez Da Silva, who struck first-time into the net to complete his hat-trick.
26’ (6-0) – Kercem sealed the win with their sixth goal from a corner taken by substitute Antonio Xuereb. Samuel Azzopardi got ahead of the defence and headed the ball into the net.
FT (KA 6 – GR 0)
Referee: Anthony Paul Vella
Asst. Referees: Patrick Falzon, Paula Buttigieg
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