11 January 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 8) Gozo Stadium
Qala Saints FC : 1
Xewkija Tigers FC : 4
26’ (0-1) Marcelo Junior Barbosa
31’ (0-2) Kenneth Mercieca
37’ (red card) Joseph Buttigieg
45+5’ (0-3) Matthias Said
68’ (1-3) Bruno Da Cruz
76’ (1-4) Brian Alejandro Parada
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez, Jsph. Buttigieg, L. Baretto Da Silva, M. Buttigieg (M. Camilleri 61), J. Zammit, E. Buttigieg, N.C. Njoku, B. Da Cruz, I. Mohammed, G. Martins Leite Carrara.
Xewkija T:
A. Parnis, I. Xuereb, D. Bugeja (J.M. vella 80), J. Buttigieg, M.J. Barbosa (J. Camilleri 88), M. Said (G. Hili 61), S. Cassar (M. Bonnici 80), A.M. Bustos, K. Mercieca (K. Hili 88), B.A. Parada, B. Armando Melo Dos Santos.
In the most anticipated match of the weekend, which had been postponed prior to the Christmas festivities due to adverse weather conditions, Xewkija Tigers recorded a convincing 4–1 victory over Qala Saints to move into sole possession of first place in the standings.
The match was a direct confrontation between two sides aiming to challenge for the league title. Qala Saints needed a win to draw level with Xewkija and close the gap on the leading teams. However, this result left Qala in fourth place, six points adrift of the leaders and cut off from the top three. For Xewkija, the victory and the strong overall performance marked an important recovery after a difficult spell in which they dropped points in league matches and were eliminated from other competitions. The win restored belief within the club and among supporters that Xewkija possess the potential to finally challenge for the championship title they have been seeking for the past eight years.
The match was effectively decided in the latter stages of the first half, when Xewkija stunned Qala by scoring three unanswered goals. Qala appeared demoralised and, before the interval, were also reduced to ten men. Xewkija’s success was the result of a strong collective effort: the defence remained well organised to neutralise Qala’s early initiative, while the team made better use of their scoring opportunities to maintain control for long periods. The goals in the first half came from three different players—Marcelo Barbosa, who had struggled for form in recent matches, opened the scoring with a fine individual effort; veteran Kenneth Mercieca, who had found limited playing time in recent weeks, struck at a crucial moment; and young Matthias Said marked his debut with Xewkija by scoring the third goal.
Timeline
First Half:
Qala made the brighter start, enjoying more possession and showing clear intent to take control of the match. Xewkija, on the other hand, adopted a more cautious approach, defending well and gradually becoming dangerous on the counter-attack. Qala failed to capitalise on their early chances and were punished when Xewkija took the lead just before the half-hour mark. From that moment on, Qala struggled to respond and Xewkija took full advantage by scoring two further goals before the break.
6’ Qala had the first attempt on goal through a shot by Gilberto Carrara, which went wide.
15’ Qala appealed for a penalty after Ibrahim Mohammed went down in the area under pressure from a defender.
21’ Qala missed a good chance when a poor clearance by Brian Parada fell to Ibrahim Mohammed, who advanced into the box but saw his effort blocked for a corner by goalkeeper Adrian Parnis.
23’ In another Qala attack, debutant Bruno Da Cruz fired well wide.
26’ (0–1) Xewkija opened the scoring when Marcelo Barbosa picked up the ball in midfield, drove forward, slipped between two defenders at the edge of the area and beat the goalkeeper with a shot that struck the crossbar before bouncing into the net.
31’ (0–2) Xewkija doubled their lead as Kenneth Mercieca anticipated the defence to meet a corner taken by Marcelo Barbosa and finished from close range.
37’ (Red Card) Qala were reduced to ten men when defender Joseph Buttigieg was sent off for a reckless challenge on Brian Parada.
45+5’ (0–3) Xewkija extended their advantage when Marcelo Barbosa played Matthias Said through in the box; the youngster evaded the goalkeeper and finished with a composed, rising shot to score on his debut.
HT (0-3)
Second Half:
Xewkija focused on managing their lead after the restart, while Qala struggled to mount a sustained reaction, despite managing to reduce the deficit. Xewkija quickly regained control after conceding and added a fourth goal to effectively seal the outcome.
10’ Xewkija threatened from a Marcelo Barbosa free kick, but the ball went wide.
20’ Xewkija went close to extending their lead when Brian Parada aimed for the far post but missed the target.
23’ (1–3) Qala pulled one goal back through a free kick by debutant Bruno Da Cruz, whose effort completely caught the goalkeeper by surprise.
31’ (1–4) Xewkija restored their three-goal advantage when Brian Parada finished from close range after receiving the ball in the box from Marcelo Barbosa.
42’ Xewkija nearly added another goal when Marcelo Barbosa rounded the goalkeeper, but his lob lacked power and the keeper recovered to make the save.
FT (QS 1 – XT 4)
Referee: Wayne Sammut
Asst. Referees: Steve Baldacchino, Kyle Cilia
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