1 November 2025
BOV GFA Cup (Prel. Rd) Kercem Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC : 2
Qala Saints FC : 2
After Extra Time
Qala Saints win 5-4 on penalties
55’ (0-1) Gilberto Martins Leite Carrara
78’ (1-1) Mario Henrique Fernandes Cardoso
105+1’ (1-2) Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos (Sergipe)
120’ (2-2) Dejan Bogdanovic
120+1’ (red card) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins (QS)
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, D. Cassar (J. Theuma 82), M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, D. Bogdanovic, N.C. Severiano (Nenem), R. Saliba, M. Henrique Fernandes Cardoso, A. Mizzi (A. Xuereb 68), G. Farrugia (A. Debrincat 102), A. Azzopardi (D. Atzori 106), I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza.
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez, Josph. Buttigieg, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos (Sergipe), L.B. Da Silva (Barreto) (M. Buttigieg 64), A.G. Castro Martins, J. Zammit (M. Camilleri 106), E. Buttigieg, G. Crdona, N.C. Njoku, G. Martins Leite Carrara.
Qala Saints bounced back from a difficult spell earlier this season by securing a place in the quarter-finals of the BOV GFA Cup following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Kercem Ajax. The match ended 2–2 after extra time, with Qala eventually triumphing 5–4 on penalties.
This was the most anticipated fixture of the preliminary round, as both Qala Saints and Kercem Ajax are among the top contenders in Gozitan football this season, each aiming to challenge for the league title. The encounter lived up to expectations, with both teams displaying their quality in a tightly contested match that featured chances at both ends.
For this match, Qala finally fielded their best possible lineup after several games missing key players due to suspensions and injuries. Kercem, meanwhile, maintained its usual formation that has brought it success in the league. Qala appeared highly motivated to make up for recent disappointments, taking the lead twice during the game, but Kercem showed great character to fight back and force the match to penalties, where Qala held their nerve to progress.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Match Timeline
First Half:
Qala were the more adventurous side early on, maintaining possession and creating the better openings. Kercem defended solidly and looked to hit on the counter, but failed to seriously trouble the opposing goalkeeper. The first half ended goalless.
8’ Qala came close when a throw-in bounced awkwardly in front of the goal, but Andre Martins’ header went over the bar.
17’ Another chance for Qala, as Andre Martins fired over from a good position.
20’ Kercem replied through Nenem, whose shot was turned for a corner by goalkeeper Owen Attard.
31’ Qala’s Nathan Njoku tried his luck from distance, but his shot was comfortably saved by Daniel Spiteri.
44’ Qala appealed for a penalty after Dejan Bogdanovic appeared to handle in the area, but play continued, and Joseph Zammit’s follow-up shot went wide.
45+2’ Kercem nearly took the lead when Gabriel Farrugia’s free kick found Mateus Lima, whose shot was blocked by Attard before Andrew Mizzi missed the rebound.
HT (0–0)
Second Half:
Kercem began the second half looking to attack more, but Qala struck first with an early goal. Although Kercem seemed unsettled initially, they regrouped and equalised midway through the half. The final stages saw an open contest where either side could have won.
55’ (0–1) Qala opened the scoring when Gilberto Carrara’s free kick took a deflection off the wall and ended up in the net.
57’ Daniel Spiteri denied Lucas Baretto with a low save.
76’ Kercem’s first real chance came through Gabriel Farrugia, whose long-range effort was saved by Owen Attard.
78’ (1–1) Kercem equalised when substitute Antonio Xuereb delivered a cross that Nenem headed on for Mario Henrique, who finished from close range.
80’ Qala protested for a penalty after Carrara went down in the box, but the referee awarded a free kick just outside the area.
90’ Kercem almost won it at the death, but Attard made a double save to deny Mateus Fernandes, amid protests that the ball may have crossed the line.
90 mins. (1–1)
Extra Time
The match remained evenly balanced in extra time, with both teams pushing for victory. Qala regained the lead late in the first period, but Kercem equalised once more to send the tie to penalties.
First Half of Extra Time
105’ Kercem goalkeeper Daniel Spiteri made a crucial save from Carrara’s free kick.
105+1’ (1–2) From the resulting corner, Sergipe headed home to restore Qala’s lead.
Second Half of Extra Time
111’ Kercem went close when Andrea Debrincat’s header from a corner was well saved by Owen Attard.
120’ (2–2) Kercem forced penalties with a low shot from Dejan Bogdanovic, after being set up by Mario Henrique.
120+2’ Qala ended the match with ten men after Andre Martins was shown a straight red card for a foul on substitute Jason Theuma.
Penalty Shootout
Both teams scored their opening three penalties, Qala through Carrara, Njoku, and Camilleri; while Kercem scored through Henrique, Nenem, and Lima.
Qala then scored their fourth through Sergipe, while Debrincat struck the post for Kercem. Gabriel Cardona calmly converted Qala’s fifth and decisive penalty to send his side through to the quarter-finals.
FT a.e.t. (KA 2 – QS 2)
Qala win 5-4 on penalties
Referee: Vladimir Rizoski
Asst. Referees: Ranald Portelli, Mark Azzopardi
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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