31 March 2026
BOV GFA Cup (S/final) Gozo Stadium
Nadur Youngsters FC : 0
Xewkija Tigers FC : 1
33’ (penalty missed – high) Brian Alejandro Parada (XT)
80’ (0-1) Joseph Mario Vella
Nadur Y:
Z. Vella, L.B. Da Silva, M. Scarpari, J. Xerri, L. Buttigieg (S. Xuereb 46), O.P. Bugeja (L. Haber 89), K. Hili, N. Mifsud, D. Vella, D. Oliveira Suoza, R.S. Favero.
Xewkija T:
A. Parnis, J. Vella, I. Xuereb, J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja, M.J. Barbosa, M. said (J. Farrugia 75), S. Cassar, A.M. Bustos, B.A. Parada, B. Armando Melo Dos Santos.
In the first semi-final of the BOV GFA Cup, Xewkija Tigers secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Nadur Youngsters to become the first team to reach the final of Gozo football’s second most prestigious honour.
Xewkija started the encounter as favourites to qualify, but Nadur proved to be worthy opponents and for long periods appeared determined to spring a surprise. Throughout the match, Xewkija created more scoring opportunities and could have taken the lead in the first half, but a missed penalty meant they had to work harder than expected to find the decisive goal, which only arrived late in the game, leaving Nadur little time to respond.
With this result, Xewkija partially made up for the disappointment of being eliminated early from the league title race and remain with the opportunity to end the season by lifting a prestigious trophy.
Timeline
First Half:
Nadur surprised Xewkija in the opening minutes and created several chances to take the lead. Gradually, however, Xewkija pushed forward from defence and began to take control of the game.
2’ (Crossbar) Nadur came close to scoring an early goal when David Oliveira’s header from a Daniel Vella corner struck the crossbar.
8’ Xewkija goalkeeper Adrian Parnis blocked a shot by Owen Peter Bugeja, with the defence clearing the danger.
13’ Nadur were again dangerous from another corner, but David Oliveira’s header was cleared off the goal line by Denzil Bugeja.
16’ Xewkija replied with a free kick by Manuel Bustos, which was deflected for a corner.
19’ In another Xewkija attack, Brian Parada failed to make the most of a good position, sending his effort wide.
22’ Xewkija forward Matthias Said fired a shot off target.
30’ (Missed penalty) Xewkija were awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Zak Vella fouled Brian Parada, but the Argentine striker sent his spot kick over the crossbar.
45+1’ Nadur launched a fine counter-attack, but Joseph Xerri’s final shot went wide.
HT (0-0)
Second Half:
The pattern of play remained similar after the break, with Nadur again starting strongly before Xewkija grew increasingly dangerous and eventually scored the goal that decided qualification late in the match.
12’ Xewkija broke forward on the counter-attack, but Matthias Said’s final effort missed the target.
16’ Xewkija went close again when Marcelo Barbosa’s free kick sailed over the crossbar.
28’ Xewkija threatened from a corner, but Manuel Bustos’ attempt went wide.
34’ Marcelo Barbosa tried an acrobatic overhead kick from a good position, but his effort missed the target.
35’ (0–1) Xewkija scored the decisive goal when Joseph Mario Vella struck a powerful shot from outside the box that caught goalkeeper Zak Vella by surprise.
37’ Nadur appeared shaken and Xewkija nearly doubled their lead when Julian Farrugia set up Brian Parada, whose first-time shot was blocked by the defence.
40’ Nadur goalkeeper Zak Vella remained alert to deny a long-range effort by Stefan Cassar.
43’ Xewkija again went close to sealing the win, but Manuel Bustos’ long-range shot went wide.
45’ Nadur had a late chance to equalise and force extra time when Lucas Barreto played Sylvan Xuereb through on goal, but his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Adrian Parnis and the defence cleared the danger.
FT (NY 0 – XT 1)
Referee: Ezekiel Barbara
Asst. Referees: Sillah Ahasana, Raymond Tabone
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