9 March 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 17) Gozo Stadium
Qala Saints FC : 3
Nadur Youngsters FC : 0
22’ (1-0) Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz
58’ (2-0) o.g. Joseph Zammit
69’ (red card) Gabriel Farrugia (NY)
74’ (3-0) Igor Nedeljkovic
82’ (red card) Jordi Parnis (QS)
Qala S:
O. Attard, Jsph. Buttigieg, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, C. Mercieca (P. Rapa 90+3), E.E. Ruiz (E. Grozdanov 74), E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis, G. Cardona (S. Curmi 87), N.C. Njoku, L.S. Nascimento Dias Almeida, I. Nedeljkovic.
Nadur Y:
S. Sultana, I. De Jesus De Santana, M. Mercieca (J. Xerri 78), D.P. Dall’Oca, R.C. Prudente (B. Said 61), J. Zammit, O.P. Bugeja (M. Gauci 78), G. Farrugia, I. Xuereb, G. Muscat, O.G. Fernandes.
In the most important match of the weekend in the Gozitan Premier League, Qala Saints secured a well-deserved 3-0 victory over Nadur Youngsters. With this win, they strengthened their position at the top of the standings, extending their lead over closest rivals Nadur to five points, with only three matches remaining in the league. This means Qala Saints now need just six more points to be mathematically certain of winning the Gozitan football championship for the first time in the club’s history.
As expected, this match attracted the largest crowd of the season at the Gozo Stadium. Both teams were highly motivated to win—Qala had recently reclaimed the top spot, while Nadur were determined to regain first place and avenge their previous defeat, which ended their ten-game winning streak. However, Qala displayed greater determination throughout the 90 minutes. The Maroons were highly organized in defense and effective in midfield, never allowing their opponents to gain control of the match. This allowed Qala to be the more adventurous and dangerous side, effectively securing the three points just minutes into the second half.
With this result, Nadur have severely compromised their chances of defending their championship title, which they have held in recent seasons. As a result, they are now expected to focus on the BOV GFA Cup in an attempt to end the season with a trophy.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Qala started aggressively and dominated possession for much of the match, creating the best scoring opportunities and taking a deserved lead. Nadur struggled to break out from defence and failed to seriously test the opposing goalkeeper in the first half.
3’ Qala threatened early when a corner by Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz found Nathan Njoku, whose header went over the bar.
6’ Qala nearly opened the scoring, but a close-range effort from Gabriel Cardona was blocked by goalkeeper Steve Sultana. Cardona had a second chance on the rebound but failed to finish.
18’ Qala came very close again when Nadur goalkeeper Steve Sultana failed to hold a free kick from Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz. Junior Ferreira Dos Santos pounced on the loose ball, but his shot was deflected for a corner by the defence.
22’ (1-0) Qala took the lead from a Christian Mercieca corner. Igor Nedeljkovic flicked the ball on with a header, and Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz anticipated the defence to head the ball into the net.
33’ Qala nearly doubled their lead when a shot by Dias Almeida was deflected by the defence. The ball fell to Gabriel Cardona, who fired from close range, but goalkeeper Steve Sultana made a difficult save to push it out for a corner.
40’ Nadur responded with a cross from the right by Diego Pires Dall’Oca that bypassed the defence, but Gabriel Farrugia’s header was weak, allowing goalkeeper Owen Attard to save comfortably.
45+2’ Nadur had a good chance to equalize when Joseph Zammit flicked on a free kick from Pires Dall’Oca. The ball reached Gabriel Fernandes, who had a great opportunity but missed the target.
HT (1-0)
Second Half:
Qala continued to dominate in the second half. After doubling their lead before the hour mark, they managed their advantage with confidence, while Nadur struggled to respond—especially after being reduced to ten men for the final phase of the match.
13’ (2-0) – Qala stunned their opponents with a second goal. A cross from the left by Christian Mercieca caused confusion in Nadur’s defence, and Junior Ferreira Dos Santos flicked the ball towards goal with a backheel. The ball deflected off Joseph Zammit, resulting in an own goal.
18’ (Penalty Protests) – Qala appealed for a penalty after alleging a handball when Nadur defender De Jesus De Santana cleared the ball off the goal line.
23’ Nadur goalkeeper Steve Sultana made an important save to block a powerful shot from Igor Nedeljkovic.
24’ (Red Card) Nadur were reduced to ten men when Gabriel Farrugia was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul outside the box.
29’ (3-0) Qala all but secured the victory with their third goal. Dias De Almeida made a strong run into the box and delivered a low cross, allowing Igor Nedeljkovic to tap the ball into the net from close range.
35’ Nadur came closest to scoring with a free kick attempt from Pires Dall’Oca, but the ball went over the bar.
37’ (Red Card) Qala also ended the match with ten men after Jordi Parnis received a second yellow card for a foul in midfield.
FT (QS 0 – NY 3)
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Asst. Referees: Duncan Sultana, Slawomir Olucha
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