12 April 2026
GFA Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 20) Gozo Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC : 3
Ghajnsielem FC : 2
19’ (0-1) Ewertton Jose Spirandelli Costa (Tom Tom)
50’ (0-2) Jhon Alejandro Gonzalez Castillo
60’ (1-2) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins
67’ (2-2) Eduardo Vinicius Kezyk Coimbra
87’ (3-2) Gabriel Vella
90+1’ (red card) Alberto Xuereb (GHJ)
90+1’ (red card) Gabriel Vella (KA)
Ghajnsielem:
R. Sammut, A. Xuereb, P. Rapa, E.J. Spirandelli Costa (Tom Tom), J. Buttigieg (M. Bezzina 78), H. Muscat, M.A. Scicluna (W. Hili 68), J. Tabone Refalo, D. Murillo Borrero, J.A. Gonzalez Castillo, D.A. Cuero.
Kercem A:
A. Brignoli, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, D. Bogdanovic (J. Theuma 46), A. Mizzi (G. Muscat 61), R. Cicolin Bosquerio, G. Farrugia (R. Saliba 46), A. Azzopardi (G. Vella 46), E.V. Kezyk Coimbra, M. Camilleri (A. Xuereb 46).
In their first match as newly crowned Gozitan football champions, Kercem Ajax had to work harder than expected to secure a 3–2 victory over Ghajnsielem, thereby extending the winning run that ultimately earned them the most prestigious honour of the season.
This match featured the two teams that will finish the championship in the top two positions and, despite the final result having no bearing on the final standings, both Ghajnsielem and Kercem were determined to collect all three points. Ghajnsielem were the better team on the pitch during the first hour and took a two-goal lead, but Kercem managed to fight back. For much of the second half the match remained wide open, with victory possible for either side. Kercem eventually turned the score in their favour, and in the closing minutes the game became tense, with both teams having one player sent off.
Timeline
First Half:
Ghajnsielem took to the pitch determined to make amends for the two defeats they had suffered against Kercem in their previous league encounters. For long periods of the first half they controlled the match and deservedly went into the break in front.
19’ (0–1) Ghajnsielem took the lead through a direct free kick scored by Ewertton Tom, which gave goalkeeper Angelo Brignoli no chance of making a save.
22’ Ghajnsielem were again dangerous from another free kick by Ewertton Tom, but Deison Cuero’s effort went over the bar.
24’ Kercem nearly created danger when Ghajnsielem failed to clear a corner taken by Michael Camilleri, but the attackers were unable to capitalise, and the ball was eventually cleared from the area.
30’ Kercem threatened once more with a free kick by Michael Camilleri, which was judged to have gone over the bar amid protests that the ball had been tipped over by the goalkeeper.
32’ (goal disallowed) Ghajnsielem appeared to double their lead when, from a free kick delivered by Hayden Muscat, the ball found Deison Cuero, who finished into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
39’ Kercem goalkeeper Angelo Brignoli was forced into action, turning Deison Cuero’s shot behind for a corner.
45’ Kercem were dangerous from a corner taken by Eduardo Coimbra, with Andre Martins’ header going over the bar.
45+2’ Kercem came close to equalising, but Eduardo Coimbra’s shot was saved by Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Richard Sammut.
HT (0-1)
Second Half:
The second half proved more combative as Kercem increased their efforts in search of an equaliser, while Ghajnsielem remained dangerous on the counter-attack and managed to extend their lead. Kercem, however, were not demoralised and once they scored to reduce the deficit, the match opened up with dangerous attacks at both ends.
2’ Gajnsielem missed a scoring opportunity when Jhon Gonzalez’s shot was blocked by the defence, and his follow-up effort from the rebound went over the bar.
3’ Kercem replied with a shot by Eduardo Coimbra that went wide.
5’ (0–2) Ghajnsielem doubled their lead following a counter-attack. Jhon Gonzalez laid the ball off to Deison Cuero, whose shot was partially saved by the goalkeeper, but Jhon Gonzalez reacted quickest to slot home the rebound.
6’ (penalty appeals) Ghajnsielem appealed for a penalty when Jhon Gonzalez went to ground inside the area while attempting to advance with the ball.
15’ (1–2) Kercem pulled one back through a free-kick strike by Andre Martins.
22’ (2–2) Kercem continued to press and equalised with another free kick, this time taken by Eduardo Coimbra.
24’ Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Richard Sammut reacted well to save a powerful effort by Andre Martins.
35’ Ghajnsielem responded with a shot by Ewertton Tom, which was comfortably dealt with by Kercem goalkeeper Angelo Brignoli.
37’ Għajnsielem were again threatening when Ewertton Tom played in Deison Cuero, whose well-placed but central effort was saved by the goalkeeper.
42’ (3–2) Kercem completed the comeback when Andre Martins struck a low shot towards goal, and Gabriel Vella arrived to finish into the net.
45+1’ (red cards) The two teams had to play the remaining minutes with a player less as Ghajnsielem’s Aberto Xuereb and Kercem’s Gabriel Vella were shown a red card for physical altercation.
45+3’ (post) Ghajnsielem came close to equalising when Ewertton Tom’s deflected corner effort struck the post.
45+4’ Kercem could have added another goal, but Gianluca Muscat’s shot following a counter-attack sailed over the bar.
FT (KA 3- GHJ 2)
Referee: Raiden Psaila
Asst. Referees: Andrea Pavia Schiavone, Patrick Falzon
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