14 December 2025

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 8) Gozo Stadium

Kercem Show Championship Credentials with Late Comeback Win

Kercem Ajax FC : 3

SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 2

6’ (0-1) Jose Wilkson Teixeira Rocha

56’ (0-2) Andre Lee Cutler

72’ (1-2) Andrea Debrincat

80’ (2-2) Isaias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza

90+2’ (3-2) Natal Cidley Saveriano (Nenem)

90+5’ (red card) Natal Cidley Saveriano (Nenem) (KA)

90+7’ (red card) Owen Fenech (SKVW)

Kercem A:

D. Spiteri, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima (D. Cassar 84), D. Bogdanovic, J. Theuma (N. Mercieca 59), N.C. Severiano (Nenem), R. Saliba (A. Debrincat 46), M. Henrique Fernandes Cardoso (L. Atzori 46), A. Mizzi, G. Farrugia, S. Azzopardi, I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza.

SK Victoria W:

S. Camilleri, A.L. Cutler, N. Camilleri, M. Camargo Gomes Da Silva, M. Cordina, J. Wilkson Texeira Rocha (K. Grima 87), E. Zammit, C.S. Souza Da Silva, S. Harland (A. Touarha 84), O. Fenech, L. Fenech.

Championship contenders Kercem Ajax bounced back from defeat in their previous league outing and kicked off the second round in the best possible way, securing three valuable points with a 3–2 victory over SK Victoria Wanderers. This win was worth more than just the three points, as Kercem produced a strong reaction to turn the match in their favour with three goals scored in the latter stages, after the Wanderers had looked set to claim all three points for long spells.

Victoria appeared more organised during the first hour of the match and, after taking an early lead, managed their advantage well before doubling it early in the second half. Kercem, however, managed to emerge from an awkward situation in which they were struggling to create attacking opportunities. Gradually, they increased the pressure on Victoria’s defence and eventually secured the win with a decisive goal in stoppage time. The closing moments were tense, with both teams finishing the match with ten players.

With this performance, Kercem Ajax confirmed their potential to challenge for the league title. Beyond the quality within their squad, they showed strong character to recover from a moment that could have compromised the remainder of their campaign. This victory will boost their confidence ahead of upcoming direct encounters in the next phase of the championship, which usually proves decisive in determining the eventual title winners.

Timeline

First Half:

Victoria looked the more organised side throughout the opening half and largely controlled proceedings. The Wanderers took an early lead and allowed their opponents few chances to respond before the interval.

6’ (0–1) Victoria Wanderers opened the scoring when Sam Harland delivered a cross from the left, Matthias Cordina continued the move and Jose Wilkson finished into the net.

20’ Kercem replied with a shot by Isaias Cruz, which was saved for a corner by goalkeeper Samuel Camilleri.

22’ Kercem were again threatening with a long-range free-kick by Gabriel Farrugia, which went narrowly wide.

40’ Victoria could have created further danger, but Jose Wilkson’s free-kick failed to hit the target.

43’ Kercem threatened through a long-range effort by Samuel Azzopardi, but the ball went well wide.

HT (0–1)

Second Half:

Kercem increased their efforts after the break in an attempt to get back into the game and, despite conceding a second goal, continued to believe. Their persistence paid off as they not only overturned a two-goal deficit but went on to win the match.

9’ Kercem were dangerous through a shot by Dejan Bogdanovic, which went over the bar.

10’ Victoria’s goalkeeper produced a fine save to deny a deflected effort by Isaias Cruz.
11’ (0–2) SK Victoria Wanderers doubled their lead when, from a free-kick by Matthias Cordina, Jose Wilkson headed the ball into the area and Andre Cutler nodded past the goalkeeper.

12’ Kercem responded immediately as Gabriel Farrugia’s free-kick found Mateus Lima, whose header was saved with difficulty by Samuel Camilleri.

16’ The same goalkeeper was again alert to save another header by Mateus Lima, this time from a free-kick by Nenem.

24’ Kercem continued to apply pressure and, from a corner, the defence failed to clear properly, with substitute Lorenzo Atzori’s effort going wide.

26’ In another Kercem attack, a shot by Isaias Cruz was saved by the Victoria goalkeeper.

27’ (1-2) Kercem reduced the deficit when Victoria’s defence failed to clear a corner and substitute Andrea Debrincat turned the ball into the corner of the net.

35’ (2–2) Kercem grew in confidence and equalised through a header by Isaias Cruz following a cross by Nenem.

36’ Victoria’s goalkeeper was again called into action to block a strong effort by Nenem.

38’ The same goalkeeper remained alert to deny another close-range attempt by Nenem.

42’  Kercem missed a good chance to score when the goalkeeper blocked a low cross by Isaias Cruz and, from the rebound, Lorenzo Atzori astonishingly lifted the ball over the bar.

45+2’ (3–2) Kercem scored the winning goal when Nenem struck directly from a free-kick, catching the goalkeeper by surprise.

45+5’ (Red card) Kercem were reduced to ten men as Nenem received a second yellow card following protests before a free-kick was awarded.

45+7’ (Red card) SK Victoria Wanderers also finished with ten players after Owen Fenech was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Isaias Cruz.

FT (KA 3 – SKVW 2)

Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Asst. Referees: Slawomir Olucha, Darko Stankovic