13 April 2026
GFA Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 20) Gozo Stadium
Nadur Youngsters FC : 3
Xewkija Tigers FC : 1
3’ (1-0) David Oliveira Souza
61’ (1-1) Brian Alejandro Parada
70’ (2-1) Diego Fernando Rodriguez Angulo
90+6’ (3-1) Murilo Scarpari
Nadur Y:
Z. Vella, M. Scarpari, D.F. Rodriguez Angulo, J. Xerri, S. Xuereb, L. Buttigieg (K. Xuereb 46), O.P. Bugeja, K. Hili, D. Vella, D. Oliveira Santos, R.S. Favero.
Xewkija T:
A. Parnis, J. Vella (J. Farrugia 74), I. Xuereb, J.M. Vella (M. Said 74), J. Buttigieg (D. Bugeja 74), M.J. Barbosa, S. Cassar, G. Hili (M. Bonnici 85), A.M. Bustos, B.A. Parada, B. Armando Melo Dos Santos.
Nadur Youngsters secured the three points they needed from their match against Xewkija Tigers with a 3–1 victory, avoiding mathematical relegation and keeping alive the possibility of forcing a relegation decider should they win their final league match against the team directly above them in the standings, Xaghra United.
The match was a hard-fought affair and was ultimately decided by goals scored in the closing minutes. Nadur managed to score an early goal, while Xewkija reacted in an attempt to finish the championship on a positive note. However, after they equalised, they suffered an immediate response from Nadur, who went back in front and then sealed the victory with a third goal. As a result of this defeat, Xewkija missed the opportunity to secure third place in the league standings, while Nadur were rewarded for their efforts to avoid relegation.
Timeline
First Half:
In the opening minutes Nadur looked the more motivated side, knowing that only a win would suffice, and they scored an early goal which boosted their confidence and helped them neutralise Xewkija’s response.
3’ (1–0) Nadur opened the scoring when Murilo Scarpari played a long pass and David Oliveira broke through the defence before finishing into the net.
6’ Xewkija replied with a shot by Brenner, which was saved by Nadur goalkeeper Zak Vella.
21’ Zak Vella was again called into action, saving a shot by Marcelo Barbosa and turning it into a corner.
23’ Xewkija threatened once more when a cross-shot by Josiah Buttigieg sailed over the bar.
27’ Nadur goalkeeper Zak Vella came out in time to deny Brian Parada from finishing.
42’ Nadur went close to doubling their lead when a shot by David Oliveira was blocked by Xewkija goalkeeper Adrian Parnis, who then recovered to also save Owen Peter Bugeja’s follow-up effort.
HT (1-0)
Second Half:
The pattern of play remained unchanged in the second half, with Xewkija pushing forward in search of an equaliser while Nadur defended resolutely and remained dangerous on the counter-attack.
4’ Nadur goalkeeper Zak Vella made a good save to deny Josiah Buttigieg.
13’ Nadur threatened again from a corner, but Rafael Favero’s header was saved by the Xewkija goalkeeper.
16’ (1–1) Xewkija drew level when, from a cross by Manuel Bustos, Brian Parada rose inside the area and headed the ball into the net.
20’ Nadur responded with a well-positioned shot by Joseph Xerri, but the ball went wide.
25’ (2–1) Nadur regained the lead when Xewkija goalkeeper Adrian Parnis saved but failed to hold a shot by Murilo Scarpari, allowing Diego Rodriguez to convert the rebound, amid protests that the attacker may have been in an offside position.
40’ Xewkija came close to equalising once again when Stefan Cassar’s shot was partially saved by Zak Vella, and from the rebound substitute Julian Farrugia blasted over from a good position.
45+5’ Xewkija missed another chance to salvage the match when, from a cross by Marcelo Barbosa, Brian Parada headed poorly and the ball went wide.
45+6’ (3–1) Nadur sealed the victory in the following action when Diego Rodriguez played the ball through to Murilo Scarpari, who beat the goalkeeper with a low shot.
FT (NY 3 – XT 1)
Referee: Igor Kankaras
Asst. Referees: Luca Grech, Adnan Guleli
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