13 April 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 21) Gozo Stadium
Qala Saints FC : 6
Xaghra United FC : 1
3’ (1-0) Christian Mercieca
10’ (2-0) Igor Nedeljkovic
23’ (2-1) Daniel Sowatey
24’ (3-1) Luan Sergio Nascimento Dias De Almeida
29’ (4-1) Christian Mercieca
45’ (5-1) Gabriel Cardona
58’ (6-1) Sintayehu Curmi
Qala S:
O. Attard, Jsph. Buttigieg, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, C. Mercieca (S. Curmi 46), E.E. Ruiz (C. Bartolo 85), E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis (P. Rapa 46), G. Cardona, N.C. Njoku (K. Farrugia 85), L.S. Nascimento Dias De Almeida, I. Nedeljkovic (A.A. Xerri 67).
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit (A. Debono 54), J. Bajada, L. Meilak, M. Bezzina (J. Azzopardi 80), J.A. Castano (C. Galea 67), D. Andelovic, D. Sowatey, M. Mamo, G. Debono, F.J. Xuereb, S.F. Bajada.
In the final match of the 2024/2025 BOV Gozo Football League First Division season, Qala Saints registered a 6–1 victory over Xaghra United and were able to celebrate the championship title, which they secured for the first time in their history.
This match had no bearing on the standings, as Qala had already been mathematically crowned champions based on the points they obtained in their previous match, while Xaghra United were also certain to finish the league in fifth place. Nevertheless, Qala entered the match highly motivated, and the numerous fans who attended were able to celebrate the championship win in the best way. On the other hand, Xaghra tried their best to defend, but their chances of avoiding a heavy defeat were compromised by the five goals they conceded in the first half.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
With this win, Qala Saints were able to enjoy the satisfaction of the work done over recent years. The Maroons returned to the top division three seasons ago after many years in the Second Division, and from the beginning, they showed intent to be competitive. Club president Noel Mizzi and coach Shaun Bajada likely began this ambitious project amid a lot of scepticism, but over time, Qala established itself among the top places in the standings and was also competitive in other competitions. At the end of last season, they won both the Knock-Out and the BOV GFA Cup, and in the first game of this season, they won the Super Cup. From that first game, Qala looked determined to achieve the most prestigious title, and despite facing a rough patch after dominating the first round and losing top position, they showed character and in the most decisive phase secured wins in direct clashes, which guaranteed them the championship title before the final matchday.
This success is well-deserved, as throughout the league, Qala maintained a high level of play, with coach Shaun Bajada making the most of his squad, composed of experienced players, established Gozitan footballers, and promising young talents. Qala were very effective in attack, scoring 54 goals, an average of 3 goals per game, and had an organised defence, conceding only 13 goals in 18 matches. Qala still have the chance to end the season with another trophy, as they are semi-finalists in the BOV GFA Cup, which brings the Gozitan football season to a close.
At the end of this match, Qala Saints were presented with medals and the Gozo football championship trophy by Ms. Charmaine Borg, Bank of Valletta Manager for the Gozo Region, and Dr. Samuel Azzopardi, President of the Gozo Football Association, in the midst of celebrations from the Qala Saints supporters.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Qala came out very aggressively and kept pressure on Xaghra’s defence from the opening minutes, practically sealing the win by scoring five times.
2’ Qala almost opened the score when Igor Nedeljkovic passed to Christian Mercieca in the box, but Mercieca mishit the ball from a good position and goalkeeper Mattia Zammit saved easily.
3’ (1-0) Qala took the lead with a low shot into the corner by Christian Mercieca.
10’ (2-0) Qala doubled their lead when Gabriel Cardona delivered a cross from the right, and Igor Nedeljkovic finished from close range.
23’ (2-1) Xaghra reduced the deficit when a free kick by Damir Andelovic wasn’t held by the goalkeeper, allowing Daniel Sowatey to direct the ball toward goal, with the ball deflecting off defender Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos and ending in the net.
24’ (3-1) Qala restored their two-goal advantage when Dias De Almeida exchanged the ball at the edge of the box with Igor Nedeljkovic and beat the goalkeeper with a mid-height shot.
29’ (4-1) Qala increased their lead when Igor Nedeljkovic passed into the box to Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz, whose low shot was partially saved by goalkeeper Mattia Zammit, and Christian Mercieca took the rebound and scored with a low shot.
37’ (post) Qala came close to adding another goal when Gabriel Cardona lobbed toward an open goal, but defender Johan Bajada cleared for a corner. From the resulting corner taken by Igor Nedeljkovic, a header by Nathan Njoku struck the post.
45’ (5-1) Qala extended their lead when a shot by Dias De Almeida was deflected by the defence and the ball fell to Gabriel Cardona, who finished from close range.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
HT (5-1)
Second Half:
In the second half, Qala continued to dictate the play but eased the pressure on their opponents, resulting in fewer goal opportunities.
13’ (6-1) Qala added another goal when Igor Nedeljkovic passed into the box to Sintayehu Curmi, who had come on as a substitute, and easily tapped the ball into the empty net.
25’ (crossbar) The Maroons missed a chance to score again when, from a corner by Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz, Dias De Almeida mishit the ball, but Emanuel Buttigieg’s attempt hit the crossbar.
42’ Xaghra had a chance to create more danger when Damir Andelovic passed to Luke Meilak, who had a shot from a good position, but it was neutralised by goalkeeper Owen Attard.
45’ Qala came close to increasing the score again, but a shot by Joseph Buttigieg was saved by Xaghra’s substitute goalkeeper Aiden Debono.
FT (QS 6 – XU 1)
Referee: Wayne Sammut
Asst. Referees: Andrea Pavia Schiavone, Paula Buttigieg
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