9 March 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 17) Gozo Stadium
Ghajnsielem FC : 0
Xewkija Tigers FC : 1
87’ (0-1) Stefan Cassar
Ghajnsielem:
G. Parnis (L. Buttigieg 41), H. Muscat, Al. Xuereb, L.J.L. Pizzo, M.V. Claudino Ramos (Choco), E.A. Daza Caranza (D. Attard 83), J. Tabone, K.L. Nunes Santos, N.I. Belhadj, M.A. Scicluna (W. Hili 58). K. Bajada (M. Camilleri 46).
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, Js. Vella, D. Bugeja, Jshu. Buhttigieg (K. Mercieca 81), G. Hili, S. Cassar, C.D. Frances, B.A. Parada, J. Farrugia (M. Bonnici 63), E. De Sousa Santos.
Xewkija Tigers secured three valuable points with a narrow 1-0 win against Ghajnsielem, maintaining their third-place position in the standings and continuing to make up for the points deduction they suffered early in their campaign for the league title. With this result, Ghajnsielem missed an important opportunity to earn points in their bid to avoid finishing second from bottom in the standings.
In this match, officiated by referees from the San Marino Federation, Xewkija enjoyed territorial dominance for much of the game, but during the first hour, Ghajnsielem had the better scoring opportunities. However, both teams’ attackers were erratic, leaving the final outcome uncertain until the very end. In the final stages of the match, Xewkija increased their efforts and eventually scored the decisive goal from a direct corner just minutes before the final whistle.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
The first half was lively, with Xewkija having more possession but struggling to create clear scoring chances. On the other hand, Ghajnsielem remained well-organized defensively and grew in confidence as the game progressed, increasingly threatening their opponents on the counterattack.
10’ Għajnsielem created the first scoring opportunity of the match through a shot by Naim Ibrahim Belhadj, but the ball went over the bar.
19’ Xewkija responded with a long-range shot from Julian Farrugia that sailed over the crossbar.
20’ Another long-range effort from Xewkija, this time by Stefan Cassar, but he missed the target.
21’ Xewkija’s Joseph Mario Vella tried his luck from a distance, but his shot went wide of the goal.
28’ Xewkija came very close to opening the scoring when a cross from Denzil Bugeja found Julian Farrugia in the box. He anticipated the goalkeeper’s charge and directed the ball towards the goal, but defender James Tabone recovered just in time to clear the ball off the line and prevent a certain goal.
44’ (Penalty Protests) Ghajnsielem protested for a penalty when Daza Carranza entered the box but went down after contact with defender Josmar Vella.
45+2’ Ghajnsielem nearly created more danger, but Daza Carranza’s shot from a tight angle went wide.
45+3’ Ghajnsielem had a golden opportunity to take the lead before halftime when Kaio Nunes Santos found himself unmarked in the box. His first attempt was blocked by Xewkija goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin, and on the rebound, his follow-up shot hit the side netting.
HT (0-0)
Second Half:
The second half remained highly engaging, with both teams pushing for victory, keeping the final result uncertain until the closing minutes.
6’ Xewkija goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin was alert and comfortably neutralized a header from Kaio Nunes Santos following a free kick by Claudino Ramos.
8’ Xewkija responded with a shot from Claudio Daniel Frances after a defensive clearance, but substitute Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg saved it for a corner.
25’ Ghajnsielem could have capitalized on a counterattack, but Daza Carranza hesitated too long, allowing Xewkija’s defence to clear the danger.
26’ Another counterattack for Għajnsielem, but this time, Alberto Xuereb’s low shot went wide.
29’ Xewkija goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin kept his team in the match by blocking a close-range shot from Nunes Santos, who was unmarked in the box. On the rebound, the same striker attempted another shot, but defender Josmar Vella cleared it off the line.
30’ Xewkija responded immediately with a shot from Stefan Cassar, which was saved for a corner by goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg.
36’ Xewkija had another chance, but Stefan Cassar’s shot was weak and missed the target.
41’ (Crossbar) Xewkija came very close to breaking the deadlock when a cross from Claudio Daniel Frances found Brian Alejandro, whose header struck the crossbar. On the rebound, Ghajnsielem’s defence managed to clear the danger amid protests for a penalty.
42’ (0-1) Xewkija finally broke the deadlock with the decisive goal, as Stefan Cassar’s direct corner kick caught the goalkeeper off guard.
43’ Xewkija had a chance to seal the win when Brian Alejandro Parada made his way into the box and set up Claudio Daniel Frances, but his low shot went wide.
44’ Ghajnsielem had their best opportunity to salvage a draw, but a shot from a good position by Naim Ibrahim Belhadj went over the bar.
FT (GHJ 0 – XT 1)
Referee: Antonio Ucini (SMR)
Asst. Referees: Mattia Sapigni (SMR), Francesco Lunardon (SMR)
4th Official: William Villa (SMR)
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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