26 September 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 3) Gozo Stadium
Qala Saints FC : 1
Kercem Ajax FC : 0
90+1’ (1-0) Marcos Magno Moraes Tavares
Qala S:
W.C. Santos (Tom), J. Buttigieg, T.G. Ribeiro Lima, M. Camilleri, M. Buttigieg, J. Zammit, J. Parnis, I.C. Menezes Trindade, J.M. Dos Santos Leite, G. Dos Santos Lemos, M.M. Moraes Tavares (K. Mercieca 90+3).
Kercem A:
F. Vella, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, R. Cicolin Bosquerio, N.C. Saveriano (Nenem), A.G. Castro Martins, A. Xuereb (G. Vella 46), G. Farrugia (R. Saliba 46), G.A. Domingues Agrelos (A, Mizzi 69), S. Azzopardi, I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza, M. Camilleri (M. Cordina 46).
Qala Saints bounced back from defeat in their opening league match to claim their first points of the season with a 1–0 victory over reigning champions Kercem Ajax. The result brought Qala level with the other teams on three points and inflicted a first defeat of the campaign on Kerċem, who began the season as firm favourites to retain the title.
Qala deserved their victory, showing greater determination than their opponents. Kercem produced another disappointing display, struggling to take control of the game and rarely threatening the opposing goal. They appeared overconfident and ultimately suffered their first defeat after a run of 15 consecutive victories across Gozo football competitions. That winning streak had begun after a defeat to the same Qala side in the final match of the first round last season.
Qala held the upper hand, particularly in the first half, but failed to capitalise on several good scoring opportunities. Kercem became more involved after the interval, making the contest more evenly balanced. Just as the match seemed destined to finish goalless, Qala struck in the first minute of stoppage time, leaving Kercem little time to respond.
Timeline
First Half
Kercem initially tried to take control, but Qala’s well-organised defence made it difficult for them to create clear chances. As the half progressed, Qala posed the greater attacking threat and had several opportunities to open the scoring.
2′ Kercem created the first clear chance of the match, but Andre Martins fired over from close range.
5′ Qala threatened from a corner, but Igor Caetano’s shot went over the bar.
10′ Another Qala corner led to an effort from Gustavo Lemos, which went well wide.
24′ Kercem goalkeeper Franklin Vella made a difficult save to keep out Juan Leite’s free-kick.
26′ Qala threatened again from a corner, but Thiago Ribeiro’s header went wide.
30′ Qala missed another promising opportunity when Jordi Parnis delivered a cross into the penalty area. Igor Caetano headed the ball on, but Joseph Zammit was unable to make contact.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
Kercem continued to struggle to break down Qala’s defence. Although the contest became more balanced, Qala grew in confidence and eventually secured victory with a stoppage-time goal.
5′ Kerċem had an attempt on goal through Nenem, but his shot went over the bar.
20′ Franklin Vella was alert to make a good save from Gustavo Lemos’s header following a Juan Leite free-kick.
31′ Qala came close to taking the lead when Marcos Tavares spotted the goalkeeper off his line and attempted a long-range lob towards the unguarded goal, but the ball went over the bar.
45+1′ (1–0) Qala scored the decisive goal when Igor Caetano played Marcos Tavares into space. Tavares’s shot was partially blocked, wrong-footing the goalkeeper before finding the net.
45+3′ Kercem had a late chance to salvage a point, but Ryan Saliba’s shot went wide.
FT (QS 1 – KA 0)
Referee: Emanuel Grech
Asst. Referees: Vasil Vasilev, Patrick Falzon
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