3 January 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 10) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 1
Ghajnsielem FC: 2
23’ (0-1) Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo
63’ (1-1) penalty Brian Alejandro Parada
87’ (1-2) Diver Duvan Torres Quinones
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, Jsm. Vella K. Mercieca 72), J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja, Josih. Buttigieg (S. Cassar 46), R. Buttigieg (Josh. Buttigieg 58), G. Hili, C.D. Frances, B.A. Parada, J. Farrugia (J. Axiak 80), E. De Sousa Santos.
Ghajnsielem:
L. Buttigieg, Al. Xuereb, D.D. Torres Quinones, W. Hili, M.V. Claudino Ramos (Choco), H.H. Goncalves Barbosa, J. Tabone, M. Camilleri, J.O. Ezigbo, M.A. Scicluna (H. Muscat 77), K. Bajada (D. Attard 68).
Ghajnsielem earned three vital points with a 2-1 win over Xewkija Tigers, moving away from the relegation zone to a more comfortable mid-table position. This result further dampened Xewkija’s ambitions of challenging the title, making it increasingly unlikely for them to contend with the league’s top teams.
The match proved to be an exciting contest, with the decisive goal coming in the final moments. Ghajnsielem were the stronger side for much of the first half, creating several opportunities to extend their lead. However, Xewkija remained competitive thanks to a series of crucial saves by goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin. The Tigers fought back in the second half and levelled the score, but Ghajnsielem ultimately secured the win with a spectacular late goal.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
First Half:
Xewkija seemed more adventurous during the opening minutes and held command of play but they failed to capitalise from their good moment as time passed by Ghajnsielem grew in confidence and started to become more dangerous with counter breaks so that the Blacks ended the first half with a deserved lead.
3’ (protests for penalty) Xewkija protested for a penalty when Rodney Buttigieg ended on the floor inside Ghajnsielem’s area following a challenge by central defender James Tabone.
5’ Xewkija went very close to scoring an early goal but a strike by Claudio Daniel Frances ended wide.
15’ Ghajnsielem continued to suffer Xewkija’s play and goalie Luke Buttigieg was called to make a difficult save to block a close-range header by Brian Alejandro Parada following a cross from the right flank by Rodney Buttigieg.
16’ Ghajnsielem replied in the following action through a personal initiative by Haraan Goncalves Barbosa. Still, the striker saw his shot was saved with some difficulty by Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin.
21’ Ghajnsielem were again dangerous through a low shot from outside the area by Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos but the ball ended just wide.
23’ The Blacks operated another fast break through Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo but his final shot was saved to a corner by goalie Nikola Kosanin.
23’ (0-1) Ghajnsielem opened the score from the resultant corner action taken by Claudio Vinicius Claudino Ramos, as Xewkija’s defence failed to clear the ball from the small area and Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo took the opportunity and netted from close distance.
26’ Xewkija replied with a shot from a free kick by Claudio Daniel Frances that was well saved by Ghajnsielem’s goalie Luke Buttigieg.
29’ (post) Ghajnsielem went very close to doubling their lead when Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo entered Xewkija’s area with a personal action but his curling shot was stopped by the post. From the rebound, the ball arrived to an unmarked Kurt Bajada who saw his close-range shot saved to a corner with difficulty by goalie Nikola Kosanin.
31’ Xewkija’s goalie was again called to make a difficult save to block a good shot from an angled position by Matteo Camilleri who was released by Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo.
39’ The same goalkeeper kept his side in contention with another difficult intervention as he managed to turn to a corner a strike by Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo following a personal action.
44’ Xewkija’s last opportunity to recover the score arrived through a low shot from a good position by Brian Alejandro Parada that goalie Luke Buttigieg blocked.
HT (0-1)
Second Half
Xewkija came out for the second period with the intention to recover the score while Ghajnsielem consolidated their defensive department in an attempt to protect their lead. Xewkija managed to achieve their objective from a penalty and for the last part of the encounter, the match became much more exciting as the two sides increased their efforts in an attempt to obtain the win.
11’ Xewkija could have capitalised better when Ghajnsielem’s defence failed to clear a corner kick by Claudio Daniel Frances but from the resultant melee Eduardo De Sousa Santos lifted over the crossbar from close distance.
17’ (1-1) penalty Xewkija managed to level the score when they were awarded a penalty for handling by the defence following a shot by substitute Stefan Cassar so that Brian Alejandro Parada converted his shot from the eleven-metre spot.
21’ Xewkija could have scored their second goal but a shot from close distance by Brian Alejandro Parada missed the target.
23’ The Tigers threatened Ghajnsielem’s rearguard with a low shot from a good position by substitute Joshua Buttigieg but the ball ended wide.
24’ Ghajnsielem replied with a shot from outside the area by Matteo Camilleri but the ball ended away from goal.
36’ Ghajnsielem were again dangerous through another good shot from outside the area by Matteo Camilleri but Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin made a difficult save and turned the ball to a corner.
42’ (1-2) The Blacks regained the lead with a goal that arrived through a shot directly from a long-range free kick that ended in the upper corner of Xewkija’s goal and out of the reach of the goalkeeper.
FT (XT 1 – GHJ 2)
Referee: Joseph Scerri
Asst. Referees: Patrick Falzon, Paul Apap
Photo: Anthony Cassar
0 Comments