22 October 2021
BOV GFA Cup Prel Rd Kercem Arkafort Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 0
Kercem Ajax FC : 1
51’ (0-1) Luiz Henrique Santana Motta
90’ (red card) Rodney Buttigieg (XT)
Xewkija T:
E. Cirrincione, J. Axiak (H. Shodija Shola), J. Vella, J. Buttigieg, R. Buttigieg, J. Xuereb, D. Mercieca (N. Micallef), E.P. Lattes, T. Grech (M. Mercieca), J.G. Vella, C. Abela.
Kercem A:
G. Bugeja, N. Mercieca, L.H. Santana Motta, N. Inguanez, S. Martinez Turizo, J. Buttigieg, W. Simeao Dos Santos, A. Mizzi, J.P. Mizzi (J. Theuma), A. Zammit, E. Da Silva Rodrigues (I. Belhadj).
Kercem Ajax obtained qualification to the quarter finals of the second most important honour in Gozitan football with a 1-0 win over Xewkija Tigers. His was the only direct clash between two sides from the top flight in the preliminary round of the competition, and the two sides were aiming to obtain the win for different reasons. Kercem needed to recover from the disappointing defeat that they concede in their previous match from the championship, while Xewkija were aiming to confirm a good moment following their important win registered during the previous weekend in the league match.
Kercem managed to prevail through an effective defensive deployment as they managed to resist to Xewk9ija’s efforts throughout the encounter. Kercem’s central defender Luiz Henrique Santana Motta was the main protagonist of the encounter not only because he scored the only goal through an excellent personal action, but also because he was always at the right place at the right time at the heart of Kercem’s defence to protect his goal. On the other hand Xewkija tried hard to recover the goal conceded during the opening moments of the second half but they filed to capitalise from their best scoring opportunities so that during the final stages they became nervous and ended the match with a player less on the field.
Timeline:
The Ajax seemed more adventurous during the opening stages but as time passed by Xewkija came out of their defence and created more dangerous actions than their opponents.
13’ Kercem created the first scoring opportunity through a strike by Euller Da Silva Rodrigues.
24’ Xewkija replied through an attempt by substitute Matthias Mercieca that ended over the crossbar.
28’ Kercem’s goalie Gaetano Bugeja was called to save in two attempts a strike from outside the area by Emiliano Lattes.
31’ Xewkija’s Emiliano Lattes went again close to scoring through another shot from long distance that ended inches wide.
39’ Kercem produced a good action inside Xewkija’s area through Euller Da Silva Rodrigues and the ball arrived to Jean Paul Mizzi who saw his now shot that was saved with difficulty by goalie Emmanuel Cirrincione.
44’ Xewkija almost surprised Kercem when Emiliano Lattes delivered the ball inside Kercem’s area from a free kick but Rodney Buttigieg’s shot ended on the side of the net.
HT (0-0)
Kercem once again surprised their opponents after the resumption and managed to sore the goal that decided the issue s that they took the driving seat and controlled Xewkija’s reaction until the final whistle.
6’ (0-1) Kercem opened the score when Luiz Henrique Santana Motta entered Xewkija’s area from the left hand side with a personal action that startdfrom his territory and concluded in goal with a low drive towards the far post.
11’ The Ajax went again close to scoring through a lob by Andrew Mizzi following a cross by Anthony Zammit that ended over the crossbar.
14’ Xewkija replied through a shot by Joel Xuereb that ended high.
20’ The Tigers were again dangerous with a strike from outside the area by Josiah Buttigieg, following a clearance from a corner action, but the ball ended wide.
28’ Kercem’s defence was almost surprised when Joseph George Vella took a quick free kick but Emiliano Lattes saw his attempt that was blocked by the defence and from the rebound the same Lattes concluded wide.
39’ Kercem went close to double the score but an effort by Euller Da Silva Rodrigues from an angled position was saved by goalie Emmanuel Cirrincione.
41’ Xewkija had their best opportunity to level the score when a strike by Emiliano Lattes from outside the area was stopped by the crossbar.
44’ Kercem’s keeper Gaetano Bugeja denied Xewkija from forcing extra time with a good save follow a header by substitute Haruna Shodija Shola.
45’ Xewkija ended the match with ten players as Rodney Buttigieg committed a foul on Kercem’s keeper and was sent off for a second bookable offence.
FT (XT 0 – KA 1)
Referee: Stefan Pace
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