5 February 2022
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I (MD 12) Gozo Stadium
Victoria Hotspurs FC : 1
Ghajnsielem FC : 1
49’ (0-1) Shaun Attard
57’ (1-1) Damon Hili
Victoria H:
D. Spiteri, C. Cardona (O. Cremona), C. Vella, D. Hili, A. Debrincat, H. De Souza Maciel, J. Pace, A. Azzopardi, O.G. Fernandes, J. Tabone, E. Xiberras (A. Xiberras).
Ghajnsielem FC:
A. Parnis, K. Borg (S.F. Bajada), Al. Xuereb, D. Farrugia, K. Mercieca, S. Attard, M. Bezzina (K. Grima), K. Farrugia, J. De Sousa Ferreira, R. Watanabe (De. Bogdanovic), L. Grima.
Victoria Hotspurs and Ghajnsielem shared the spoils in a draw of two goals following a well contested encounter where the two sides tried to obtain the win. The final score was just but did not completely satisfy either side as the Hotspurs missed an opportunity to move closer to the third spot while Ghajnsielem dropped to eleven points from the leaders and practically lost their status as challengers for the title.
This match presented several interesting topics as the Blacks had coach Gotthard Conti who was leading the squad for the first time, they were facing the Citizens with seven players and the same coach who had an experience with the Hotspurs in the past years and moreover the two sides had valid motivation to obtain the win as they were coming from different results in their previous matches. The Blacks conceded an unexpected defeat in their last match while the Hotspurs were coming from a good moment of form which saw them moving away from the red zone. The Hotspurs were also determined to make up for the heavy defeat conceded in the match against Ghajnsielem of the first round.
The match was also characterised by the fact that both teams had influential players missing, particularly the respective main strikers so that both Victoria and Ghajnsielem were limited in their potential to conclude play with serious attempts towards goal. Ghajnsielem were once again playing without strikers Igor Nedeljkovic and Johnny Camilleri due to suspension and Jhon Alboreda Valencia who is still unavailable due to an injury. On the other hand the Hotspurs were without striker Robinson Blandon Rendon due to a suspension and also without central defender Elkin Serrano Valero who apparently is reconsidering his future ties with the club.
Timeline
The Hotspurs had a better start. They saw more of the ball and produced more offensive play. On the other hand Ghajnsielem tried to be organised at their defence and operated mainly with counter breaks during the opening minutes. However, by the end of the first half Ghajnsielem recovered from a timid approach and play became much more balanced.
6’ Ghajnsielem’s keeper Adrian Parnis was well placed and neutralised a free kick from an angled position by Henrique De Souza Maciel.
As time passed by the Blacks came out of their defence and for most of the first half play took place in the midfield where the two goalkeepers were not called to make difficult interventions.
22’ Ghajnsielem had their first attempt towards Victoria’s goal that arrived through a header by Shaun Attard following a cross by Michael Bezzina that ended wide.
27’ The Blacks could have capitalised better but a shot from close distance by Ryota Watanabe was blocked to a corner by the defence.
32’ The Hotspurs replied through an attempt directly from a free kick that was blocked with some difficulty by goalie Adrian Parnis
40’ The Hotspurs had their best scoring opportunity of the first half when Henrique De Souza Maciel released Damon Hili who entered the area but goalie Adran Parnis left his position in time and blocked the danger to a corner.
44’ The Hotspurs were dangerous through a header by James Tabone from a corner kick by Henrique De Souza Maciel that ended wide.
45’ (goal disallowed) Ghajnsielem could have ended the first half in the lead but a strike by Michael Bezzina was partially saved by goalie Daniel Spiteri. From the rebound, the attempt by Shaun Attard was stopped by the crossbar and from the resultant melee Michael Bezzina fired in the net by the goal was disallowed for n offside infringement.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
Play during the second period continued to be well contested as the two sides were aiming to obtain the full points at stake form this encounter.
4’ (0-1) Ghajnsielem opened the score when Shaun Attard took the ball just outside the area and lobbed into an open goal as the goalkeeper was out of his position.
7’ The same Attard could have doubled the score when he took a back pass by Victoria’s defence and the striker turned around the goalkeeper but hit badly and missed the opportunity to address the ball in the net.
12’ (1-1) The Hotspurs recovered the deficit when Henrique De Souza Maciel passed through Ghajnsielem’s defence from the left flank and from his pass Damon Hili concluded in goal with a low shot.
The match became much more interesting.
16’ Ghajnsielem’s goalie made a good save to block an attempt from a free kick by Henrique De Souza Maciel.
27’ Ghajnsielem replied through a strike from long distance by Daniel Farrugia that ended just over the crossbar.
28’ The Blacks went again close to scoring but a direct free kick from an angled position by Shaun Attard ended just wide.
37’ Victoria’s defender Andre Azzopardi saved the result for his side when he cleared form the fatal line a header by Daniel Farrugia following a corner kick by Shaun Attard.
FT (VH 1 – GHJ 1)
Referee: Philip Farrugia
0 Comments