12 September 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 1) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 1
Qala Saints FC : 0
45+6’ (red card) Emanuel Buttigieg (QS)
75’ (red card) Roberto Monteiro Rondinely (QS)
90+5’ (1-0) Brian Alejandro Parada
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, S.S. Mahlamaki Camacho, J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja, M.J. Barbosa, M. Said, G. Hili (A. Azzopardi 83), M. Bonnici (A. Touarha 56), B.A. Parada, S.F. Niang, D. Rajchenberg Gonzalez.
Qala S:
W.C. Santos (Tom), J. Buttigieg, T.G. Ribeiro Lima, M. Buttigieg, R. Monteiro Rondinely, J. Zammit (M. Camilleri 62), E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis, I.C. Menezes Trindade, J.M. Dos Santos Leite (A. Grima 90+5), M.M. Moraes Tavares.
Xewkija Tigers claimed a dramatic 1-0 win over Qala Saints in a Matchday One fixture from the BOV Gozo Football League First Division, making up for the disappointment of their defeat in the BOV GFA Super Cup final a week earlier.
This was a much-anticipated match as, in recent seasons, Xewkija and Qala have been among the leading protagonists in Gozitan football. This season, however, they are not regarded as serious contenders for the league title. Nevertheless, both Xewkija and Qala appear to have the potential to be competitive and therefore have the ambition to remain among the teams in the upper part of the table.
The clash between Xewkija Tigers and Qala Saints lived up to expectations, with the outcome remaining uncertain until the very end. The win arrived through a goal scored only seconds before the end of added time. Qala looked more motivated during the opening stages, while Xewkija were cautious and very attentive in defence. Qala, however, compromised their chances of earning a positive result when they had to play the final part of the match with nine players.
Xewkija took advantage of having more players on the pitch but found it difficult to finish off their moves, as Qala defended with determination in an attempt to secure at least a point. Just when it seemed that Qala could achieve their aim in difficult circumstances, Xewkija managed to make the most of the final action of the match and scored the goal that earned them their first three points of the campaign.
Timeline
First Half:
The opening stages were mainly played in midfield, where both defences neutralised the attacking initiatives of their opponents. As the half progressed, Qala began to enjoy more possession and applied pressure on the Xewkija defence for a spell, but Xewkija defended well and clear scoring chances were rare.
3’ Xewkija could have made better use of an opportunity when Marcelo Barbosa released Matthias Bonnici, whose shot from a good position went wide.
6’ Qala replied with an attempt by Marcos Tavares that went over.
10’ Qala goalkeeper Winston Tom was called into action and blocked Matthias Said’s good shot with some difficulty.
16’ Qala could have created more danger, but Rondinely’s low shot was central and goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin saved without difficulty.
38’ The Xewkija goalkeeper made a difficult intervention following Joseph Zammit’s close-range effort, but the move was stopped for offside against the same attacker.
39’ Xewkija responded immediately when Marcelo Barbosa found Brian Parada, whose shot went wide.
41’ Xewkija could have done better when David Rajchenberg made a good run, but he mistimed his effort from a promising position and the ball went well wide.
45+6’ (red card) Qala were reduced to ten players when Emanuel Buttigieg was shown a straight red card after bringing down David Rajchenberg before he could enter the area alone. From the resulting free kick, Xewkija failed to create danger and the score remained unchanged.
HT (0-0)
Second Half:
Xewkija came out more adventurous after the break as they tried to make the most of their numerical advantage, while Qala remained organised in defence and relied mainly on counter-attacks. In the closing stages, Xewkija increased the pressure, particularly after Qala had a second player sent off, and eventually secured the win with a goal scored only seconds before the end of added time.
4’ Xewkija were threatening when Brian Parada headed wide from Gennaro Hili’s cross despite being unmarked.
8’ The Xewkija goalkeeper was called into action and saved Rondinely’s low shot at the second attempt.
10’ Xewkija went close to opening the scoring, but Joseph Mario Vella’s free kick went wide.
25’ Xewkija were dangerous again through a Matthias Said shot from outside the area, which missed the target narrowly.
29’ Qala produced a good move on the edge of the opposing area, but Igor Caetano’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin.
30’ (red card) Qala were reduced to nine players when Rondinely was shown a second yellow card for a foul on an opponent just outside the area.
45+6’ (1-0) Xewkija scored the goal that decided the match when Joseph Mario Vella sent in a deep cross and Brian Parada rose well among the defenders to head the ball into the corner.
FT (XT 1 – QS 0)
Referee: Raiden Psaila
Asst. Referees: Wayne Spiteri, Andrea Pavia Schiavone
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