2 October 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 4) Gozo Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC : 3
Xaghra United FC : 2
4’ (0-1) penalty Ibrahim Salis
43’ (1-1) Natal Cidley Severiano (Nenem)
63’ (2-1) Isaias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza
65’ (2-2) Joseph Chilaka Agbakwuru
88’ (3-2) Isaias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza
Kercem A:
M. Saldanha Moreira, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, R. Cicolin Bosquerio, N.C. Severiano (Nenem), R. Saliba, G. Vella (J. Theuma 90), G.A. Domigues Agrelos (L. Atzori 85), A. Azzopardi (G. Muscat 46), S. Azzopardi (A. Mizzi 90), I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza, M. Cordina (G. Farrugia 70).
Xaghra U:
K. Barbara, J. Bajada (L. Farrugia 64), N. Inguanez, A. Galiano Lazarini, M. Scarpari, I. Salis, J.P. Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho), W.S. Filipe (S. Galea 86), J. Farrugia, S. Attard, J.C. Agbakwuru (Chilaka).
Reigning champions Kercem Ajax returned to winning ways with a dramatic 3–2 victory over Xagħra United in the opening fixture of Matchday 4 of the Gozo First Division. Isaias Cruz struck twice, including an 88th-minute winner, as Kercem bounced back from the previous week’s defeat and cut the gap to the league leaders to three points.
The teams entered the match level on points and produced a lively contest in which both held the lead. Xaghra went ahead through an early Ibrahim Salis penalty before Nenem equalised shortly before half-time. Cruz put Kercem in front after the interval, but Joseph Chilaka restored parity just two minutes later. With a draw looking increasingly likely, Cruz struck again to secure all three points, leaving Xaghra little time to respond.
Timeline
First Half
Xaghra made an excellent start, taking an early lead from the penalty spot before adopting a more cautious defensive approach. Kercem gradually gained momentum, but wayward finishing meant they had to wait until the closing stages of the half to draw level.
1′ Xaghra goalkeeper Kyle Barbara was alert to block Isaias Cruz’s shot from a promising position.
3′ (0–1) — Penalty: Ibrahim Salis opened the scoring from the spot after Andre Azzopardi fouled Joseph Chilaka inside the penalty area.
6′ Kercem responded through Nenem, whose effort was saved by Kyle Barbara.
8′ Kercem missed a good opportunity when Nenem played the ball into the penalty area, but Isaias Cruz fired over from close range.
11′ Andre Azzopardi won possession on the right and delivered a cross, but Mateus Lima’s finish went over the bar.
16′ — Penalty appeals: Kercem appealed for a penalty after Xaghra’s defence blocked Andre Azzopardi’s corner.
17′ Kercem goalkeeper Matheus Saldanha made a difficult save to turn Pedrinho’s dangerous shot behind for a corner.
23′ Isaias Cruz advanced into the penalty area, but a decisive intervention by Alexandre Lazarini prevented him from shooting from close range.
27′ Kercem threatened again following a prolonged move inside the opposing penalty area, but Isaias Cruz was unable to connect.
29′ — Penalty appeals: Kercem appealed again when Nenem went down inside the penalty area under pressure from an opponent. The forward was instead booked for simulation.
43′ (1–1) Nenem brought Kercem level, advancing into the penalty area, evading the onrushing goalkeeper and slotting a low shot into the empty net.
44′ Xaghra responded immediately, but Matheus Saldanha saved Joseph Chilaka’s effort.
45+1′ Kercem nearly took the lead before the interval, but Kyle Barbara saved Mateus Lima’s header following a free-kick.
HT (1-1)
Second Half
Kercem continued to press after the interval, while Xaghra remained organised defensively and looked to threaten on the counter-attack. Two goals in as many minutes left the teams level once more, setting up an increasingly open finish that was ultimately settled by Kercem’s late winner.
1′ Kyle Barbara turned Ryan Saliba’s shot from outside the penalty area behind for a corner. From the resulting delivery, Isaias Cruz headed wide.
7′ Barbara was called into action again, turning Isaias Cruz’s dangerous shot from a tight angle behind for a corner.
14′ Alexandre Agrelos tried his luck from outside the penalty area, but his shot was directed straight at Barbara, who saved comfortably.
17′ — Goal disallowed: Nenem broke clear of the defence and found the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
18′ (2–1) Isaias Cruz put Kerċem ahead, beating the defence outside the penalty area before advancing and firing into the roof of the net.
20′ (2–2) Xaghra responded immediately. Ibrahim Salis played Joseph Chilaka into space, and the forward equalised with a low shot into the corner.
22′ Kyle Barbara blocked Isaias Cruz’s shot from outside the penalty area before the defence cleared the danger.
23′ Xagħra replied through Pedrinho, whose shot on the turn forced Matheus Saldanha into a difficult save at the expense of a corner.
26′ Barbara made another crucial intervention, blocking Nenem’s shot after the forward broke clear inside the penalty area.
40′ Xagħra threatened through second-half substitute Lucas Farrugia, but Matheus Saldanha turned his shot from outside the penalty area behind for a corner.
43′ (3–2) Isaias Cruz scored the decisive goal after substitute Lorenzo Atzori kept the ball in play on the line and Nenem delivered it into the centre of the penalty area. Cruz arrived to finish comfortably with a low shot, amid protests that the ball had gone out of play during the build-up.
FT (KA 3 – XU 2)
Referee: Vladimir Rizoski
Asst. Referees: Duncan Sultana, Slawomir Olucha
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