1 February 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 11) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 1
Xewkija Tigers FC : 4
33’ (0-1) Brian Alejandro Parada
38’ (penalty missed – saved) Marcelo Barbosa (XT)
69’ (0-2) Marcelo Junior Barbosa
70’ (0-3) Matthias Said
81’ (1-3) Ibrahim Salis
89’ (1-4) Brian Alejandro Parada
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, J. Bajada, S. Galea, I. De Jesus De Santana (Jacare’), L. Farrugia, E. Xiberras (J. Vella 60), I. Salis, J.P. Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho), M. Mamo (T. Agius 90), F.J. Xuereb, J.C. Marini (Claudir).
Xewkija T:
A. Parnis, I. Xuereb, J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja, M.J. Barbosa, M. Said (J. Farrugia 79), S. Cassar (M. Bonnici 90), G. Hili (J. Buttigieg 90), B.A. Parada, B. Armando Melo Dos Santos (Brenner), A. Toure (J. Vella 79).
In the final match of the eleventh round of the BOV Gozo Football League First Division, Xewkija Tigers registered a 4–1 victory over bottom-placed Xaghra United. With these three points, Xewkija moved to the top of the league table, although their closest challengers still have a game in hand.
Xewkija were clear favourites against the team anchored at the bottom of the standings, yet the match proved to be far more difficult than expected. For long periods, Xaghra believed they could obtain a positive result in their effort to improve their position in the table. Xewkija’s victory was nevertheless deserved, as they created more scoring opportunities, although once again they committed defensive mistakes that could have cost them the three points. The turning point came mainly through two goals scored midway through the second half, which made it very difficult for the opponents to recover from a three-goal deficit.
Timeline
First Half:
Xewkija started the match intent on taking control, but Xaghra were well disciplined in defence and looked dangerous on the counter-attack. As a result, the game was lively, with chances at both ends. Xewkija managed to capitalise on a defensive error to go into the break with a one-goal advantage.
8’ Xewkija produced the first serious attempt on goal when Stefan Cassar released Marcelo Barbosa, whose shot was saved for a corner by Xaghra goalkeeper Mattia Zammit.
9’ Xaghra replied immediately when Pedrinho won the ball from the defence near midfield, advanced into the area and beat the goalkeeper, but his effort finished against the side netting.
12’ Xaghra missed another good opportunity as Pedrinho set up Ibrahim Salis, who entered the area, but goalkeeper Adrian Parnis came off his line in time to block the danger on two occasions.
13’ Xewkija responded with a shot from Marcelo Barbosa that sailed over the bar.
30’ Xewkija forward Marcelo Barbosa tried his luck with a low shot, but the ball went wide.
33’ (0–1) Xewkija opened the scoring when Brian Parada blocked the goalkeeper’s clearance in front of goal and finished from close range.
37’ (missed penalty – saved) Xewkija had the chance to double their lead after being awarded a penalty for a foul by the goalkeeper on Brian Parada. However, the goalkeeper made amends for his error by saving Marcelo Barbosa’s spot kick.
HT (0-1)
Second Half:
Xewkija increased their efforts after the break in search of a second goal and maintained sustained pressure on the opposing defence. They eventually struck twice within the space of a minute midway through the half, effectively securing the three points.
2’ Xaghra goalkeeper Mattia Zammit was called into action to block a close-range effort from Marcelo Barbosa.
3’ Xaghra replied through a shot from an angled position by Luke Sultana, which missed the target.
4’ In another Xaghra attack, Junior Claudir collected a short clearance from the defence but saw his effort neutralised by goalkeeper Adrian Parnis with two saves.
8’ (post) Xewkija were unlucky when a low shot by Brian Parada struck the upright with the goalkeeper beaten.
14’ Xewkija went close again as Marcelo Barbosa entered the area, rounded the goalkeeper and aimed at goal, but central defender Savio Galea recovered to clear off the line and deny a certain goal.
17’ Xewkija created further danger when Matthias Said delivered a cross from the right, but Marcelo Barbosa failed to connect.
24’ (0–2) Xewkija doubled their lead after a prolonged spell of pressure in the Xaghra penalty area. Stefan Cassar’s effort from a cross by Marcelo Barbosa hit the post, and from the rebound Matthias Said fed Marcelo Barbosa, who beat his markers and finished with a central shot.
25’ (0–3) Xewkija effectively sealed the win with a third goal, a powerful strike from outside the area by Matthias Said that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
32’ Xaghra threatened through a shot by Pedrinho, which went over the bar.
36’ (1–3) Xaghra pulled one back when Luke Sultana broke down the right and delivered a low cross that Ibrahim Salis met, beating the onrushing goalkeeper to finish into the net.
44’ (1–4) Xewkija sealed the victory when Marcelo Barbosa led a counter-attack and passed to substitute Julian Farrugia, who held up the ball on the edge of the area and found Brian Parada unmarked to score from an ideal position.
FT (XU 1 – XT 4)
Referee: Anthony Paul Vella
Asst. Referees: Paul Apap, Paula Buttigieg
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