9 November 2024
BOV GFA Cup (Q/finals) Kercem Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 1
SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 2
31’ (0-1) o.g. Sam Frank Bajada
65’ (0-2) David Garba Emmanuel
72’ (1-2) Damir Andelovic
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, L. Farrugia, M. Bezzina, J.A. Castano, D. Andelovic, G. Debono (M. Mamo 53), D. Sowatey, J. Bajada (C. Galea 81), F.J. Xuereb, S.F. Bajada, J.Y. Suzuki Bicudo.
SK Victoria W:
O. Xuereb, A. Galiano Lazarini, N. Camilleri, V.F. Mihai, M. Cordina, I.H. Da Silva Costa, E. Zammit, D.G. Emmanuel, S. Harland, J. Saliba (N. Grech 88), L. Fenech.
SK Victoria Wanderers registered a 2-1 win over Xaghra United to reach the semi-final stage of the BOV GFA Cup. This match was a clash between two teams from the top flight who are both aiming to be competitive in the category. As a result, the encounter between Victoria and Xaghra turned out the be well-contested with an uncertain outcome.
The Wanderers enjoyed territorial supremacy for most of the encounter and seemed in a position to hold control of the match but Xaghra kept insisting and produced a strong reaction near the end of the first half and during the final stages so that they remained in contention for the qualification. Victoria’s win practically matured when they opened a two-goal cushion so that they were in a position to resist Xaghra’s comeback and defended their lead until the final whistle.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Victoria dictated matters for most of the time during the first half but they often erratic in their finishing and failed to convert their superiority into more than one goal. As a result, Xaghra remained in contention and during the last part of the first half they produced some effective pressing in the midfield and Victoria’s defence was put under pressure.
2’ The Wanderers could have opened the score when Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa unmarked Sam Harland with a low cross but the latter incredibly concluded wide with an open goal at his mercy.
25’ Xaghra replied with an attempt from a free kick by Damir Andelovic but Victoria’s goalie Omar Xuereb neutralised the danger.
31’ (0-1) The Wanderers took the lead from an own goal committed by Xaghra’s central defender Sam Frank Bajada who hit badly in an attempt to clear a cross from the left flank by Emerson Zammit and the ball ended in the net.
32’ Victoria could have doubled their lead when Sam Harland received the ball just out of Xaghra’s area but the striker saw his shot that was saved without difficulty by Xaghra’s goalie Mattia Zammit.
39’ Xaghra’s goalie Mattia Zammit made an important intervention to save a corner an attempt from a free kick by Vasile-Fernando Mihai.
42’ Xaghra went closest to level the score before halftime through a shot from a long distance by Damir Andelovic but the ball ended high.
45+1’ Victoria’s goalie Omar Xuereb was called to make a difficult intervention to turn to a corner a shot from outside the area by Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo and from the resultant corner action Xaghra protested for a penalty alleging handling following the attempt by Johan Alberto Castano.
HT (0-1)
Second Half
Play during the second period became much more interesting with more actions at the two ends of the field as Xaghra increased their efforts in an attempt to recover the score while the Wanderers pushed forward in an effort to increase their lead so that the qualification remained in contention until the end of the encounter.
3’ Xaghra were dangerous through a strike by Johan Alberto Castano that ended high.
5’ The Wanderers replied with a good shot by David Garba Emmanuel that was partially saved by goalie Mattia Zammit and from the rebound Victoria’s striker did not capitalise and at the end Joseph Saliba’s shot ended away from goal.
12’ Xaghra kept insisting and a low shot from outside the area by Damir Andelovic was neutralised by Victoria’s keeper Omar Xuereb.
13’ (protests for penalty) Xaghra could have capitalised better when Victoria’s defence failed to clear the ball from their danger area and the ball arrived to Johan Alberto Castano who was denied from concluding towards the goal among protests for a penalty.
15’ The Wanderers missed another good scoring opportunity but Sam Harland failed to connect to an inviting low cross from the left flank by Emerson Zammit.
18’ Xaghra operated counter break through an initiative by Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo but from his pass, Johan Alberto Castano’s shot was deflected to a corner by goalie Omar Xuereb.
20’ (0-2) The Citizens doubled the score when Xaghra’s defence failed to clear a corner kick by Vasile-Fernando Mihai and Alexandre Galiano Lazarini passed to an unmarked David Garba Emmanuel who fired in goal from an ideal position.
24’ (crossbar) Victoria could have added another goal but an attempt from a free kick by Vasile-Fernando Mihai was stopped by the crossbar.
27’ (1-2) Xaghra reduced the score through a shot directly from a free kick by Damir Andelovic that surprised Victoria’s goalie.
39’ The Wanderers could have sealed the win when Vasile-Fernando Mihai delivered an inviting cross from the flank but Sam Harland hit badly from a good position and the goalkeeper saved the danger.
45+2’ (goal disallowed) Xaghra almost forced extra time when Damir Andelovic delivered the ball inside Victoria’s area from a free kick and Sam Frank Bajada headed towards Julian Suzuki Bicudo who netted from a close distance but the goal was disallowed for offside.
FT (XU 1 – SKVW 2)
Referee: Alex Johnson
Asst. Referees: Paul Apap, Darko Stankovic
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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