GFA Cup Q/finals Gozo Stadium
Gharb R : 0
- Spiteri, R. Vella, J. Portelli, A. Sultana, M. Grech, Chr. Attard, Crs. Attard (J. Azzopardi), J. Camenzuli, R. Zammit (A. Portelli), J. Muscat (N. Mercieca), P.A. Attard.
Victoria H : 3 (O.I. Guobadia 5’, E. Nwankwo 36’, 90+1’)
- Parnis, M. Bamba, J. Tabone, K. Farrugia, J. Pace (J. Grech), O.I. Guobadia, H. Maciel (S. Caruana), J. Bajada, F. Camilleri, C. Mercieca (A. Bezzina), E. Nwankwo.
Victoria Hotspurs became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the second most important honour in Gozitan football with a 3-0 win over second division side Gharb Rangers. The Hotspurs paved the way to the qualification with two goals scored during the first half, continued to hold command of play after the break, despite playing with a player less on the field; and made sure of the victory with a goal scored during stoppage time. Gharb tried hard to be worthy opponents but they were very weak in attack and also committed some mistakes that compromised their possibility to remain in contention for some time during the encounter. However, Gharb still managed to keep a respectable score against a much more quoted opponents. As expected the two sides had some regular players missing as a precaution due to the important commitments that each side has in the respective championship.
The Hotspurs only took five minutes to impose their superiority in the match as they opened the score through a low shot from outside the area by Osa Ice-Cream Guobadia that surprised goalie Daniel Spiteri. The Hotspurs continued to administer play while Gharb’s attempts to produce a reaction did not produce any danger towards Victoria’s goalie Adrian Parnis. The Hotspurs went again close to scoring on 34 minutes through a free kick by Henrique Maciel that was saved in two attempts by goalie Daniel Spiteri. One minute later the same goalkeeper was called to make a difficult save to turn to a corner a curling shot by Kevin Farrugia. From the resultant corner action, Gharb’s defence failed to clear the ball from the area and Eric Nwankwo headed in goal from among a number of players. Gharb could have reduced the score in the first minute of stoppage time before half time but Joseph Muscat’s shot after receiving from Christian Attard, was saved by goalie Adrian Parnis.
After the restart the Hotspurs continued to enjoy territorial supremacy but they seemed over confident in their play and Gharb’s defence managed to keep the danger away from their area for most of the time. On 55 minutes Victoria’s Jonathan Bajada had a strike from outside the area that ended wide and a minute later the Citizens were reduced to ten players when James Tabone was sent off for holding Paul Anthony Attard who entered Victoria’s territory in a fast break. Gharb almost took immediate advantage of the extra player on the field and on 58 minutes goalie Adrian Parnis was called to make a good save to block a close ranged shot by Paul Anthony Attard. As time passed by Victoria regained command of play and went also close to scoring on 65 minutes through an attempt by Christian Mercieca that ended wide. Seven minutes later the Hotspurs were unlucky when a shot from long distance by Jonathan Bajada was stopped by the crossbar and Gharb replied on 80 minutes through a free kick by substitute Justin Azzopardi that was easily saved by goalie Adrian Parnis. During the final stages Gharb tried to score at least a consolation goal but Victoria were often in control of play and sealed the victory with the third goal that arrived in the first minute of stoppage time through a tap-in by Eric Nwankwo following a low cross inside the area by substitute Sylvan Caruana.
Referee: Mark Deguara
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