20 September 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 2) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 2
Xewkija Tigers FC : 1
64’ (0-1) Sergine-Falou Niang
71’ (1-1) Ibrahim Salis
73’ (red card) Marcelo Junior Barbosa (XT)
87’ (2-1) Alexandre Galiano Lazarini
Xaghra U:
K. Barbara, J. Bajada, N. Inguanez, A. Galiano Lazarini, M. Scarpari, I. Salis, J.P. Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho), W.S. Filipe, J. Farrugia, S. Attard, J.C. Agbakwuru.
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, S.S. Mahlamaki Camacho, J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja, M.J. Barbosa, M. Said, G. Hili, M. Bonnici, B.A. Parada, S.F. Niang, D. Rajchenberg Gonzalez.
Xaghra United made up for the disappointment of their opening league match by earning their first three points with a 2-1 win over Xewkija Tigers. Both sides went into this fixture determined to secure victory, with Xewkija aiming to maintain a perfect record from their first two matches, while Xaghra were under pressure to live up to expectations as one of the leading contenders in this campaign. As a result, the match developed into a very balanced encounter in which the win could have gone either way for long stretches. It was eventually decided late on, when Xewkija were reduced to ten players and Xaghra took advantage by scoring the decisive goal when there was too little time left for Xewkija to respond.
For this match, Xaghra United coach Brian Meilak made a number of changes to the formation used in the previous game, most notably replacing two foreign players: a central defender and an attacker. Both left a positive impression and helped the team show the determination needed to achieve their main objective of taking all three points. Xewkija Tigers coach Darko Stojanovic, on the other hand, confirmed the same line-up that had won their opening league match, and for much of this contest his side looked more confident than they had a week earlier.
The match reached a high standard and confirmed that the changes in the regulations are likely to lead to more balanced and entertaining fixtures, as was the case in this encounter. The final result rewarded Xaghra, who showed character after conceding Xewkija’s goal, reacted strongly, increased their efforts in the closing stages and scored the decisive winner.
Timeline
First Half:
The first half was highly contested, with both teams showing adventure in attack. As a result, both defences were under constant pressure, while both goalkeepers played important roles in keeping the score level.
1’ Xewkija created danger after just 18 seconds when Matthias Said delivered a cross and Brian Parada’s header was blocked for a corner.
3’ Xaghra replied through an initiative by Agbakwuru, who advanced down the left but saw his shot finish against the side-netting.
10’ Xewkija could have created more danger from a Rajchenberg free kick, but Matthias Said’s effort was weak and goalkeeper Kyle Barbara saved without difficulty.
14’ In another Xewkija move, Matthias Said passed to Matthias Bonnici, who hesitated before eventually having his shot blocked for a corner.
21’ Xewkija goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin was called into action to save Alexandre Lazarini’s header following a free kick by Pedrinho.
31’ The same goalkeeper was alert again to save a good strike by Shaun Attard.
37’ Xaghra goalkeeper Kyle Barbara produced a difficult save, turning Joseph Mario Vella’s shot from outside the area behind for a corner.
44’ Xaghra responded when Pedrinho delivered the ball into the area from a free kick, but Agbakwuru’s header was saved with difficulty by goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin for a corner.
45+1’ Xaghra were threatening again, but Salomao’s well-struck effort was well saved by the Xewkija goalkeeper.
45+2’ In the final action before the interval, Xaghra went close once more, but Pedrinho’s shot from outside the area went well wide.
HT (0-0)
Second Half:
The second half remained highly entertaining, with action at both ends and the result still uncertain, even though Xewkija had to play the final stages of the match with one player less.
2’ (goal disallowed) Xewkija appeared to have opened the scoring when Brian Parada turned Rajchenberg’s low cross into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
5’ Xaghra goalkeeper Kyle Barbara made a good save to deny Brian Parada’s low effort.
8’ Xaghra replied with an attack down the right, but Agbakwuru’s header from the resulting cross went wide.
10’ The Xaghra goalkeeper was called into action again, saving Marcelo Barbosa’s good shot with difficulty for a corner.
19’ (0-1) Xewkija took the lead from a short free kick, as Rajchenberg delivered a cross that beat the defence and central defender Niang was unmarked to head into the net.
21’ (crossbar) Xaghra went very close to equalising when Pedrinho’s free kick led to a poor defensive clearance, but the ball struck the crossbar.
26’ (1-1) Xaghra drew level when Ibrahim Salis advanced through the middle and beat the goalkeeper with a low shot from outside the area.
28’ (red card) Xewkija were reduced to ten players when Marcelo Barbosa received a second caution for simulation after going down in the area while attempting to beat an opponent with a personal move.
34’ Xaghra were very dangerous, but Ibrahim Salis headed over following a cross from the right.
41’ In another Xaghra attack inside the opposition area, Ibrahim Salis fired over from close range.
42’ (2-1) Xaghra completed the turnaround when Pedrinho’s shot was deflected for a corner. From the resulting delivery by Pedrinho, Alexandre Lazarini rose to head the ball into the net.
FT (XU 2 – XT 1)
Referee: Reuben Spiteri Delicata
Asst. Referees: Jareth Grima, Paul Apap
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