14 October 2022
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I (MD 7) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 0
Qala Saints FC : 0
45+2′ (penalty missed – saved) Rafael Conrado Prudente (QS)
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, J. Vella, M. Mercieca, J. Buttigieg, R. Buttigieg, D. Bogdanovic, J. Arboleda Valencia, A. Bozovic, D. Mercieca, D. Andelovic, S. Xuereb.
Qala S:
M. Zammit, L. Grima, Jsph. Buttigieg, J.V. Ferrari Silva, M. Buttigieg (S. Bajada), J.Y. Suzuki Bicudo, A. Carvalho, E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis, R.C. Prudente, N.C. Njoku (L. Attard).
Qala Saints and Xewkija Tigers ended the first round of the championship by obtaining a positive result which in the end did not satisfy either side. The match however confirmed the good moment of form of both teams as the Saints were coming from a convincing win over Ghajnsielem while Xewkija were coming from an important one over Oratory Youths. This was also Xewkija’s second consecutive match where they ended with a clean sheet. With this result, Qala missed an opportunity to remain co-leaders on the table while Xewkija dropped points which could have put them in a better position to challenge for a better placing on the table.
Throughout the encounter, which was played in difficult weather conditions due to the wind, Qala produced more offensive play and created a number of good scoring opportunities, including a penalty kick just before halftime. However, the Maroons were erratic in their finishing and failed to capitalise so that near the end of the encounter, Xewkija produced a reaction and went very close to obtaining a dramatic win. The point obtained by each side is a just reward for the efforts expressed on the field of play and should also encourage both teams to be competitive when the championship resumes with the first matches from the second round at the end of November.
Timeline
Xewkija started the match with the wind blowing in their favour but Qala was well-deployed and made it very difficult for their opponents to take advantage of the weather conditions. Qala was also very effective in their play and had the best opportunities to take the lead.
11’ Qala’s striker Rafael Conrado Prudente headed wide from a good position following a corner kick by Ayesller Carvalho.
20’ The same striker, who is currently the top scorer of the top flight had a low shot that ended just wide.
45+1’ (penalty missed – saved) The Maroons had a golden opportunity to open the score when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Dejan Bogdanovic on Rafael Conrado Prudente but the latter saw his shot from the spot kick that was saved by Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
For the second period, Qala came out determined to make up for the missed scoring opportunity at the end of the first half and for some time they enjoyed territorial supremacy and produced pressure on Xewkija’s defence. The latter however managed to remain in contention and near the end of the match, they went out of their defence and created some opportunities where they could have surprised their opponents.
3’ (crossbar) Qala was unlucky when a fine header by Rafael Conrado Prudente following a cross by Jordi Parnis hit the crossbar.
5’ The same striker had another header following a cross by Ayesller Carvalho that missed the target.
12’ Qala’s Ayesller Carvalho produced a personal action but his final shot from a good position was well blocked by Xewkija’s central defender Josmar Vella.
26’ The same Carvalho delivered an inviting ball inside Xewkija’s area from a corner kick but the header by Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo ended high.
32’ Qala could have created more danger but Martin Buttigieg hit badly from the edge of the area and his low shot ended wide.
36’ The Maroons went again close to scoring but a shot by Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo following a personal initiative ended away from goal.
37’ Qala missed another opportunity to create more danger when a strike by Jordi Parnis missed the target.
41’ (crossbar) Xewkija almost surprised Qala when a free kick from a long distance by Damir Andelovic was saved with difficulty by goalie Mattia Zammit with the aid of the crossbar.
44’ The same Damir Andelovic threatened Qala’s defence with an attempt directly from a free kick but the ball ended just wide.
45’ (protests for penalty) Qala protested for a penalty alleging handling by Josiah Buttigieg in his attempt to clear the ball from the danger area.
45+1’ Xewkija’s striker Rodney Buttigieg could have concluded better after receiving from Jhon Arboleda Valencia, but the low shot was saved easily by Qala’s goalie Mattia Zammit.
45+2’ Xewkija’s defence seemed surprised and hesitated to control the ball at the edge of their area but Qala’s Rafael Conrado Prudente failed to take advantage of the situation so that goalie Nikola Kosanin recovered and neutralised the danger.
FT (XT 0 – QS 0)
Referee: Daniel Portelli
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