20 October 2024
BOV GFA Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 6) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC: 1
Xewkija Tigers FC : 0
53’ (1-0) penalty Johan Alberto Castano
Xaghra U:
L. Xuereb, J. Bajada, S. Galea, L. Farrugia, J.A. Castano, D. Andelovic, M. Mamo (C. Gauci 81), A. Bozovic (C. Camilleri 88), F.J. Xuereb, J. Vella, J.Y. Suzuki Bicudo.
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, Jsm. Vella, J.M. Vella (E. Refalo 83), Jsh. Buttigieg (K. Mercieca 70), Jshu Buttigieg (M. Bonnici 60), R. Buttigieg, G. Hili, C.D. Frances, D. Bugeja (J. Farrugia 47), B.A. Parada, C. Abela, E. De Sousa Santos.
The revelation side of this season’s BOV Gozo Football League of the first division Xaghra United bounced back from a disappointing defeat in their previous match of the campaign and earned the full points at stake from their clash against Xewkija Tigers. With the three points obtained from this encounter, Xaghra moved to just three points from the leaders Qala Saints and they have become the main challengers for the current favourites to win the title.
The match between Xaghra and Xewkija was a direct clash between two teams who needed a win to take the runners-up position on the table and more than that they were both aiming to recover from a defeat conceded in their respective previous match. The match lived up to the expectations and the outcome remained uncertain until the final moments. In the end, the final result exposes the current form of the two sides since Xaghra confirmed their positive start in the championship where they exploit the combination of excellent physical condition together with the enthusiasm of the players on the field so that they produce a high work rate at their midfield with some dangerous offensive play. On the other hand, Xewkija once again had a disappointing performance as they failed to express the potential of their players. Xewkija had influential striker Stefan Cassar missing due to suspension but they had enough experienced players on the field of play who could have left their mark in such an important match. With this result, Xewkija extended their negative run for a third consecutive match, where they also failed to score a goal and ended up compromising the possibility to keep close to the top positions on the table.
In this match, Xaghra’s Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo distinguished himself as he was a continuous threat to Xewkija’s rearguard and the young striker made a great contribution to Xaghra’s win.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Xewkija came out in a better shape and gave the impression that they may take command of play but Xaghra were well organised at their defence and as time passed by they started to share more play. For most of the time, the two sides blocked each other but during the last part of the first half Xaghra produced the better scoring opportunities
1’ Xewkija could have scored a goal within the first minute of play but a volley from close distanced by Brian Alejandro Parada, following a cross from the right flank by Joshua Buttigieg, ended away from goal.
17’ Xaghra replied with a header by Savio Galea following a free kick by Julian Yoiti Bicudo but the ball ended wide.
26’ Xewkija were again dangerous through a header by Brian Alejandro Parada following a cross by Rodney Buttigieg but Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb was well placed and saved the danger.
33’ Xaghra tried to surprise Xewkija’s rearguard through a personal initiative by Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo but the ball ended away from goal.
34’ Xaghra went very close to opening the score when Damir Andelovic tried to protect the ball at the edge of Xewkija’s area and from the resultant clearance Julian Yoiti Bicudo saw his strike that was blocked to a corner with difficulty by goalie Nikola Kosanin.
36’ (protests for penalty) Xewkija protested for a penalty when Joshua Buttigieg ended up on the floor inside Xaghra’s area as he tried to conclude towards the goal.
40’ (protests for penalty) Xaghra also protested for a penalty when a good shot by Julian Yoiti Bicudo had a shot that was blocked by Xewkija’s defence among claims by Xaghra that the ball was handled by the defender.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
Xaghra maintained their momentum from the initial stages of the second period and took the lead with a goal scored from a penalty. Xaghra grew in confidence and tried to keep pressure on Xewkija’s rearguard in an attempt to increase their lead and at the same time they denied their opponents from producing danger within their territory.
3’ Xaghra had the first scoring opportunity of the second period when Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo delivered the ball towards the far post from a corner kick but the header by Johan Alberto Castano ended on the side of the net.
6’ (1-0) penalty Xaghra were awarded a penalty when Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo ended on the floor inside Xewkija’s area as he tried to pass Josiah Buttigieg and Johan Alberto Castano fired in goal his shot from the penalty spot.
24’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin was well placed and blocked a strike from outside the area by Damir Andelovic.
28’ Xaghra could have capitalised better when Johan Alberto Castano crossed from the left flank but Lucas Farrugia’s header was weak and goalie Nikola Kosanin neutralised in two attempts.
33’ Xewkija replied with a header by Rodney Buttigieg following a cross from the left flank but the ball ended away from goal.
39’ Xewkija had a good opportunity to level the score when substitute Julian Farrugia entered Xaghra’s area with a personal action but his attempt from an angled position missed the target.
45’ Xewkija could have capitalised better but a shot from just outside the area by Claudio Daniel Frances ended away from goal.
45+3’ Xewkija went again close to save the result but an attempt directly from a free kick by Claudio Daniel Frances ended just wide.
45+4’ Xaghra’s goalie was in the right place and saved without difficulty a header by Rodney Buttigieg following a cross by Julian Farrugia.
45+6’ Xewkija’s last opportunity to score the equaliser arrived through a shot from an ideal position by Julian Farrugia, following a header inside Xaghra’s area by Brian Alejandro Parada, that ended high
FT (XU 1 – XT 0)
Referee: Vladimir Rizoski
Asst. Referees: Slawomir Olucha, Andrea Pavia Schiavone
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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