8 March 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 15) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 0
Qala Saints FC : 1
88’ (red card) Brian Alejandro Parada (XT)
90+1’ (0-1) Gabriel Cardona
Xewkija T:
A. Parnis, J. Vella (M. Bonnici 84), J.M. Vella (J. Farrugia 65), D. Bugeja, J. Buttigieg (I. Xuereb 65), M. Barbosa, M. Said, G. Hili, A.M. Bustos, B.A. Parada, B. Armando Melo Dos Santos (Brenner).
Qala S:
F. Buttigieg, N. Inguanez, J. Buttigieg, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos (Sergipe), M. Camilleri, M. Buttigieg (G. Cardona 55), J. Zammit, E. Buttigieg, G. Dos Santos Lemos, J. Parnis, G. Martins Leite Carrara.
In the final match from Matchday 15 of the BOV Gozo Football League First Division, Qala Saints earned a dramatic 1–0 victory over title challengers Xewkija Tigers, with the decisive goal arriving deep into added time.
Xewkija entered the match seeking to recover from their previous defeat and remain close to league leaders Kercem Ajax. Qala, meanwhile, were determined to secure a positive result to improve their standing in the table. Despite being without several key players due to suspensions and injuries, Qala made history by starting with the four Buttigieg brothers: goalkeeper Franco, and outfield players Joseph, Emmanuel, and Martin.
Qala showed strong motivation to challenge a more highly rated opponent and were also eager to make up for the two defeats they had suffered earlier in the season against Xewkija. Although Qala were forced to absorb long stretches of pressure, they defended with discipline and were ultimately rewarded for their perseverance with a stoppage-time winner.
Xewkija, on the other hand, struggled under the weight of expectation. In their push to secure all three points, they committed costly errors and, after this defeat, now sit seven points behind leaders Kercem Ajax. With limited matches remaining, their hopes of re-entering the title race have taken a significant blow.
Timeline
First Half:
The opening half unfolded mostly in midfield, with both defensive lines remaining alert and preventing clear chances. Xewkija had the better opportunities to take the lead, but the score remained goalless at halftime.
11’ Xewkija goalkeeper Adrian Parnis comfortably saved a shot from Gilberto Carrara.
14’ Xewkija threatened when a cross from Manuel Bustos found Brian Parada, whose stylish back-heel attempt finished over the bar.
22’ Qala created danger when Martin Buttigieg’s first-time effort went wide.
24’ Xewkija replied with a low shot from Matthias Said that missed the target.
26’ Qala goalkeeper Franco Buttigieg produced an important save with his legs to block a low effort from Brian Parada.
35’ Franco Buttigieg again denied Xewkija, pushing away a powerful attempt from Denzil Bugeja for a corner.
HT (0–0)
Second Half:
Xewkija increased their efforts after the break as they attempted to take control, but Qala remained compact and continued to threaten on the counter. In the closing stages, Xewkija were reduced to ten men, and Qala capitalised with a decisive goal in added time.
3’ Xewkija went close twice in the same action: Marcelo Barbosa beat the defence before Brian Parada’s effort was blocked, and the loose ball fell again to Barbosa, whose low shot was saved by Franco Buttigieg.
7’ (Protests for penalty) Xewkija appealed for a penalty when Marcelo Barbosa went down inside the box.
19’ A free-kick from Manuel Bustos for Xewkija sailed over the bar.
22’ Xewkija’s substitute Julian Farrugia attempted a shot from distance, but it missed the target.
34’ Qala goalkeeper Franco Buttigieg saved another dangerous free-kick, this time from Gennaro Hili.
40’ Qala nearly surprised Xewkija when Gabriel Cardona delivered a dangerous low cross, but Joseph Buttigieg’s effort was blocked for a corner.
43’ (Red card) Xewkija were reduced to ten men when Brian Parada was dismissed for striking an opponent during a corner situation.
45+1’ (0–1) Qala scored the decisive goal when substitute Gabriel Cardona won the challenge of his direct opponent to intercept a central pass from Jordi Parnis, and beat the goalkeeper with a precise shot into the corner.
45+2’ Xewkija responded immediately, but a long-range effort from Matthias Said was saved well by goalie Franco Buttigieg.
FT (XT 0 – QS 1)
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Asst. Referees: Darko Stankovic, Wayne Spiteri
0 Comments