19 April 2025
GFA 1st Division KO Final Gozo Stadium
SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 3
Xaghra United FC : 0
24’ (1-0) Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa
38’ (2-0) Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa
45+2’ (penalty missed – saved) Caique Silvio Souza Da Silva (SKVW)
89’ (red card) Steve Sultana (XU)
90+6’ (3-0) Sam Harland
SK Victoria W:
O. Xuereb, W. Soares Da Silva, N. Camilleri, C.S. Souza Da Silva (S. Harland 77), M. Cordina, I.H. Da Silva Costa, E. Zammit, D.G. Emmanuel, A. Touarha (J. Saliba 83), O. Fenech, L. Fenech.
Xaghra U:
L. Xuereb, J. Bajada (S. Sultana 64), S. Galea, L. Farrugia, M. Bezzina (C. Galea 64), D. Andelovic, M. Mamo (C. Camilleri 83), D. Sowatey, F.J. Xuereb (L. Meilak 83), J. Vella, J.Y. Suzuki Bicudo.
SK Victoria Wanderers are the winners of the 10th edition of the First Division Knock-Out competition, after claiming a 3–0 victory against Xaghra United in the final. This was the first time the Wanderers won this title, which is the third most important competition in Gozitan football.
Both teams were motivated to win this match to make up for their disappointing league campaigns. Additionally, both clubs had the chance to win a major Gozitan football honour after several years, as Xaghra had not won a First Division title since the 1990s, while SK Victoria Wanderers had won three competitions in the 2008/2009 and 2010/2011 seasons.
In the semi-finals held in November, SK Victoria Wanderers beat Xewkija Tigers 3–2 after extra time, and Xagħra United defeated Nadur Youngsters 1–0. Expectations were high for this match, as during the season the teams had faced each other four times. Xaghra had won the first two league rounds, while SK Victoria Wanderers had won in the third round of the league and again in the quarter-finals of the BOV GFA Cup.
In this match, the Wanderers controlled the game and were more dangerous than their opponents, earning a deserved victory. The standout player for Victoria was striker Igor Da Silva Costa, who scored twice and was a constant threat to Xaghra’s defence. Xaghra were missing forward Johan Alberto Castano due to suspension, and this absence was felt, as they struggled to create dangerous chances throughout the 90 minutes.
After the match, the presentation of medals and the First Division Knock-Out trophy was made by Gozo Football Association President Dr. Samuel Azzopardi and other association officials to the SK Victoria Wanderers players and staff.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
SK Victoria Wanderers were more adventurous than their opponents in the first half and created more dangerous chances. Xaghra tried to defend and play on the counter but struggled to create threats on goal, with the Wanderers deservedly leading by halftime.
11’ SK Victoria Wanderers could have opened the score, but a shot from a good position by David Garba was saved with difficulty by goalkeeper Lorjean Xuereb for a corner.
24’ (1-0) The Wanderers took the lead when the Xaghra goalkeeper partially saved a low shot by Caique Souza Da Silva, and Soares Da Silva picked up the ball and crossed it for Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa, who headed it into the net.
29’ Victoria missed a scoring chance when a low cross from Owen Fenech found Igor Da Silva Costa, who mishit from close range and sent the ball over.
35’ Xaghra had their best chance when Suzuki Bicudo entered the box, and after a poor clearance, Jack Vella played it across goal, but Lucas Farrugia’s shot went wide.
38’ (2-0) Victoria doubled their lead when Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa stole the ball after pressuring the goalkeeper outside the box and finished with a low shot into the net.
44’ (missed penalty – saved) SK Victoria Wanderers could have added another goal when, from a counterattack, Caique Souza Da Silva passed to Igor Da Silva Costa, who was fouled in the box by Savio Galea. The referee awarded a penalty, but the shot from the spot by Caique Souza Da Silva was saved for a corner by Lorjean Xuereb.
HT (2-0)
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Second Half:
Xaghra came out determined to recover the scoreline, while the Wanderers focused on managing their lead and counterattacking. Scoring chances became rare, but the result remained uncertain.
4’ Victoria goalkeeper Omar Xuereb was alert and comfortably saved a shot by Michael Bezzina.
5’ Xaghra could have created danger when Jack Vella delivered a low cross from the left, but no teammate was there to connect.
6’ Victoria responded with a move by Luke Fenech in the opponent’s box, but his shot went high.
24’ The Wanderers were dangerous again when Caique Souza Da Silva broke into the box with a solo run, but his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Lorjean Xuereb.
29’ (disallowed goal) Xaghra appeared to reduce the deficit when, from a Suzuki Bicudo corner, Lucas Farrugia directed the ball into the net despite Neil Camilleri’s clearance attempt, but the goal was disallowed for a handball by Farrugia.
35’ In another Victoria attack, David Garba crossed into the box, but Igor Da Silva Costa mishit the shot and the goalkeeper made an easy save.
44’ (red card) Xaghra were reduced to ten men when Steve Sultana was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Igor Da Silva Costa.
90+6’ (3-0) The Wanderers sealed the win when Igor Da Silva Costa broke down the right and delivered a low cross, which substitute Sam Harland tapped into the net.
FT (SKVW 3 – XU 0)
Referee: Philip Farrugia
Asst. Referees: Mark Ciantar, David Castillo
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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