GFA Cup Semi-final
Gozo Stadium
Oratory Y : 1 (B. Perello Palou 82’)
L. Camilleri, K. Borg, A. Azzopardi (K. Grima), J. Polo Longarela, M. Gauci, B. Polo Longarela, K. Farrugia, B. Perello Palou, Ju. Attard, E. Felipe da Silva Santos (A. Debrincat), M. Buttigieg.
Victoria H : 0
A. Parnis, F. Camilleri, J. Pace, M. Bamba, K. Farrugia, J.P. Grima, O.I. Guobadia, J. Bajada, H. Maciel, E. Nwankwo (A. Bezzina), C. Mercieca.
Oratory Youths registered a close win over neighbours Victoria Hotspurs in the second semi final match of the second most important competition in Gozitan football. With this result Oratory confirmed their positive season as they ended the championship in a comfortable place away from the relegation zone and were runners-up in the Knock Out competition for the first division. The match produced very few scoring opportunities as the two sides showed limitations in their potential in attack. It was therefore not surprising that the match was only decided with just one goal that arrived in the dying minutes of the encounter.
Play during the first period took place mainly in the midfield where the two defensive departments controlled the respective strikers so that the two goalkeepers were not called to make difficult interventions. The Hotspurs could have opened the score on 40 minutes but a goal by Eric Nwankwo was disallowed for a foul by the same player on the goalkeeper.
The match became more exciting after the break as the two sides increased their efforts to take the lead. On 47 minutes Oratory’s Andrea Azzopardi had a shot from outside the area that missed the target and one minute later the Hotspurs replied through a personal action by Henrique Maciel but the Brazilian striker saw his attempt towards the far post that ended wide. On 55 minutes Oratory’s Javier Polo Longarela had a good header following a cross by Bartomeu Perello Palou that ended just high and on 75 minutes the Hotspurs had a direct free kick by Kevin Farrugia that was stopped by the post. Oratory scored the goal that decided the issue on 82 minutes when Borja Polo Longarela defended a ball inside Victoria’s area and from his pass Bartomeu Perello Palou fired in goal from close distance. Victoria’s best opportunity to save the result arrived in the second minute of stoppage time but Oratory’s keeper Leonard Camilleri left his position in time to clear the ball before Moussa Bamba could conclude towards goal.
Referee: Darko Stankovic
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