13 / 14 March 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League (MD 16) Gozo Stadium
Qala Saints FC : 1
Xaghra United FC : 2
8’ (0-1) Ibrahim Salis
53’ match suspended due to power failure
Sat 14 March 2026 (continued from 53’)
60’ (1-1) Gilberto Martins Leite Carrara
72’ (1-2) Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho)
89’ (red card) Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho) (XU)
Qala S:
F. Buttigieg, N. Inguanez, J. Buttigieg, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos (Sergipe), M. Camilleri, J. Zammit, E. Buttigieg / M. Buttigieg (53), G. Dos Santos Lemos, J. Parnis / G. Cardona (53), N.C. Njoku, G. Martins Leite Carrara.
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, J. Bajada, S. Galea, I. De Jesus De Santana (Jacare’), L. Farrugia (C. Camilleri 90+1), E. Xiberras, J.P. Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho), T. Agius, M. Mamo, F.J. Xuereb, J.C. Marini (Claudir), I. Salis.
In the opening match from Matchday 16 of the First Division league, Xaghra United confirmed their positive momentum by securing three important points in a 2–1 victory over Qala Saints. The match had to be played over two days, as it was suspended shortly after the start of the second half due to a lighting system failure at the Gozo Stadium, and therefore continued the following day.
Both teams were coming off a win and were eager to collect another. Qala were aiming to finish the league as high as possible in the table, while Xaghra were fighting to escape the relegation zone during the final phase of the season. As a result, the encounter was a hard-fought one, with the outcome remaining uncertain until the very end. Xaghra took early control by scoring an early goal. Qala equalised shortly after play resumed on the second day, making the final stages more open. Xaghra, however, scored the decisive goal from a free kick and defended their advantage despite finishing the match with ten men.
With this result, Xaghra remain second from bottom, but they now have a realistic chance of challenging for fifth place to avoid relegation danger.
Timeline
First Half:
Xaghra started better and opened the scoring with their first attempt on goal. Qala responded quickly, and the match became more open with chances at both ends.
8’ (0–1) Xaghra took the lead when, from a corner taken by Pedrinho, Ibrahim Salis met the ball at the far post and headed it into the net.
10’ Qala could have equalised when Joseph Zammit delivered a cross from the left to Gilberto Carrara, who was unmarked in the box but fired over.
23’ Qala were dangerous again, but a central effort by Jordi Parnis was deflected for a corner.
35’ (crossbar) – Xaghra came close to doubling their lead, but Pedrinho’s shot struck the post and went out for a corner.
40’ Qala threatened from a short corner, but Jordi Parnis’ effort hit the side netting.
43’ (goal disallowed) – Qala appeared to have equalised when Jordi Parnis delivered a cross from the left and Gilberto Carrara headed into the net, but the goal was disallowed after the assistant referee signalled that the ball had gone out of play before the cross.
HT (0–1)
Second Half (Before Suspension):
Play lasted just over seven minutes before the floodlights failed.
6’ The Qala goalkeeper rushed out to clear the ball before Lucas Farrugia could pounce, after Junior Claudir sent a dangerous pass behind the defence.
8’ (Match Suspended) The match was suspended due to a lighting system malfunction at the Gozo Stadium.
Continuation of the Match (Following Day):
When the match resumed the next day (Saturday), Qala made two substitutions, bringing on Martin Buttigieg and Gabriel Cardona for Emanuel Buttigieg and Jordi Parnis. Xaghra continued with the same lineup that had started the previous day. The match was again officiated by referee Jo-Anna Vassallo, assisted by Igor Kankaras and Sara Kankaras. Qala managed to equalise shortly after play restarted, but Xaghra showed great determination and regained the lead. They managed the match well until the end, despite being reduced to ten players before stoppage time.
15’ (1–1) Qala equalised when Gabriel Cardona delivered a low cross from the left following a counterattack, and Gilberto Carrara finished with a low shot past the goalkeeper.
27’ (1–2) Xaghra regained the lead through a free kick taken by Pedrinho, whose strike surprised goalkeeper Franco Buttigieg.
32’ The Qala goalkeeper kept his team in the match by blocking a dangerous effort by Lucas Farrugia, with the defence clearing the rebound.
34’ Qala responded through a free kick by Gilberto Carrara, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Mattia Zammit.
44’ (red card) Xaghra were reduced to ten men when Pedrinho was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul in midfield.
45+4’ (goal disallowed) Qala once again believed they had equalised when the Xaghra goalkeeper failed to hold a cross from Joseph Zammit and Sergipe pushed the ball into the empty net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
45+6’ Qala came close once more when a corner taken directly by Joseph Zammit landed on the roof of the net.
FT (QS 1 – XU 2)
Referee: Jo-Anna Vassallo
Asst. Referees: Max-Lee Muscat, Paul Apap / Igor Kankaras, Sara Kankaras
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