21 February 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 16) Gozo Stadium
Nadur Youngsters FC : 0
Xewkija Tigers FC : 2
41’ (0-1) Brian Alejandro Parada
46’ (0-2) Claudio Daniel Frances
54’ (red card) John Axiak (XT)
Nadur Y:
S. Sultana, I. De Jesus De Santana, D.P. Dall’Oca, R.C. Prudente, J. Zammit, B. Said,
O.P. Bugeja (M. Mercieca 70), G. Farrugia, I. Xuereb, G. Muscat (J. Xerri 81), O.G.
Fernandes.
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin (T.K. Ngantchop 90+2’), J. Axiak, Js. Vella, J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja, Jshu.
Buttigieg, M. Bonnici (E. Refalo 58), S. Cassar, C.D. Frances (J. Farrugia 90+6), B.A.
Parada, E. De Sousa Santos.
In the first match of Match-Day 16 of the BOV Gozo Football League First Division,
Xewkija Tigers secured a surprising but well-deserved 2-0 victory against Nadur
Youngsters, despite playing the last half-hour with a player less. With this result,
Xewkija continued their recovery from a difficult phase in the league and are now in a
better position to challenge for third place in the standings.
However, this result had an impact on the title race, as Nadur, who was coming off a
series of ten consecutive victories, lost the opportunity to defend their top position.
Nadur was the favourite to win this encounter against their rivals, as they were leading
the table before the match and had been in top form. However, they were overconfident
and seemed unsettled by their opponents’ aggression. Nadur conceded the deciding
goals at crucial moments—just before halftime and at the start of the second
half—which left them increasingly disorganised as the game progressed. Despite
having a numerical advantage for over 30 minutes, they failed to capitalise.
This result puts Nadur under pressure, as they may have compromised the positive
momentum they had built in recent months, especially since their next league match is
a direct clash against Qala Saints, where they must win to regain control of the
standings ahead of the final three matches of the campaign.
Xewkija were in excellent form against Nadur. They appeared far more motivated in the
first half and played their best football. They made the most of their scoring
opportunities and remained disciplined even after going a man down. Their victory was
a collective team effort, but without a doubt, goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin—who was
injured just before the end and had to be substituted—along with striker Brian Alejandro
Parada, were the standout performers of the match.
Timeline:
Xewkija started stronger and had the initiative in the early stages. Nadur gradually
pushed forward but never truly threatened the opposing goalkeeper in the first half.
4’ Xewkija created the first serious chance of the match when a cross by Stefan
Cassar, Brian Alejandro Parada controlled the ball in the box but saw his shot saved
with difficulty by goalkeeper Steve Sultana before the defence cleared the danger.
For most of the first half, both teams struggled to create clear chances.
37’ (protests for penalty) Xewkija appealed for a penalty after contact in the box
between Nadur defender De Jesus De Santa and Xewkija forward Brian Alejandro
Parada.
38’ Nadur had their first attempt on goal through a shot by Diego Pires Dall’Oca, but the
ball went wide.
41’ (0-1) Xewkija opened the scoring after a misunderstanding between Nadur
defenders Owen Peter Bugeja and Ian Xuereb, which gifted a corner to their opponents.
From the corner taken by Claudio Daniel Frances, Brian Alejandro Parada surprised
both the defence and the goalkeeper by heading the ball into the net.
45+2’ Nadur responded with a free-kick attempt by Joseph Zammit, but his shot went
wide.
HT (0-1)
Second Half:
Xewkija had a perfect start to the second half, doubling their lead within seconds. Even
after going down to 10 men before the hour mark, they remained well-organised
defensively and held onto their two-goal advantage until the final whistle.
1’ (0-2) Xewkija doubled their lead just 36 seconds into the second half when Brian
Alejandro Parada played in Claudio Daniel Frances, who skilfully dribbled past his
markers inside the box and beat the goalkeeper with a low shot.
9’ (red card) Xewkija were reduced to 10 men when John Axiak was sent off after
receiving a second yellow card for a foul just outside the box.
10’ From the resulting free kick, goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin rushed out to clear Diego
Pires Dall’Oca’s attempt. He then had to make another save from Ian Xuereb’s first-time
shot, pushing the ball out for a corner.
12’ Nadur came close when Rafael Conrado Prudente’s header from a Diego Pires
Dall’Oca’s free-kick went wide.
16’ Xewkija’s goalkeeper was alert to neutralize a weak shot from a good position by
Joseph Zammit.
18’ Xewkija responded with a shot by Brian Alejandro Parada that went over the bar.
19’ (crossbar) Nadur nearly pulled one back when a header by Rafael Conrado
Prudente from a right-wing cross by Diego Pires Dall’Oca struck the crossbar.
20’ Another chance for Nadur saw Brandon Said shoot over the bar from a promising
position.
21’ Xewkija threatened again when a header by Brian Alejandro Parada from Claudio
Daniel France’s cross went wide.
25’ Xewkija goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin did well to turn an inswinging cross-shot by Ian
Xuereb is out for a corner.
26’ Kosanin was again called into action, this time saving a close-range header from
substitute Matthias Mercieca following a cross by Diego Pires Dall’Oca.
36’ Xewkija could have sealed the match with a third goal when Claudio Daniel Frances
won the ball from the defence, but his shot was partially saved by goalkeeper Steve
Sultana. The rebound fell to another Xewkija player, but his first-time shot missed the
target.
45+3’ Nadur had their final chance to score a consolation goal, but substitute Joseph
Xerri saw his close-range shot saved by Xewkija’s substitute goalkeeper Ngantchop.
FT (NY 0 – XT 2)
Referee: Daniel Portelli
Asst. Referees: Vasil V asilev, Darko Stankovic
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