5 January 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 10) Gozo Stadium
Nadur Youngsters: 2
Qala Saints FC : 0
38’ (1-0) Ian Xuereb
61’ (red card) Joseph Buttigieg (QS)
90+4’ (2-0) Gianluca Muscat
Nadur Y:
S. Sultana, I. De Jesus De Santana, M. Mercieca (M. Gauci 90+4), J. Zammit, J. Xerri (S. Xuereb 84), B. Said, O.P. Bugeja, G. Farrugia, I. Xuereb, G. Muscat (L. Buttigieg 90+4), O.G. Fernandes.
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez, Jsph. Buttigieg, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, C. Mercieca, E.E Ruiz, Emm. Buttigieg, J. Parnis (G. Cardona 82), N.C. Njoku, L.S. Nascimento Dias Almeida, I. Nedeljkovic.
Reigning champions Nadur Youngsters made a significant step in their title defence with a crucial 2-0 victory over league leaders Qala Saints. This win, reducing the gap between the two teams to just two points, demonstrated Nadur’s resilience and determination to stay in contention for the championship. The result also marked Qala’s second defeat of the season.
Qala entered the match as favourites, given their strong form and current standing at the top of the table. They also had the advantage of debuting Dias De Almeida, replacing Angel Manuel Bustos as one of their foreign players. In contrast, Nadur faced challenges with a depleted squad, missing Diego Pires Dall’Oca (suspension) and Andre Gabriel Castro Martins (personal reasons).
The match was fiercely contested, with Qala dominating possession and creating more opportunities, while Nadur relied on a disciplined defensive strategy and efficient counterattacks. Despite Qala’s pressure, Nadur capitalized on their chances, scoring just before halftime and securing the victory with a late goal in stoppage time.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
First Half:
Qala controlled possession during the first half but struggled to break through Nadur’s resolute defence. Nadur grew into the game, creating opportunities on the counterattack and taking the lead late in the half.
20’ Qala had the first clear chance when Igor Nedeljkovic’s angled shot was parried to a corner by Nadur’s goalkeeper, Steve Sultana.
27’ (Crossbar) Qala came close as Nathan Njoku’s header set up Nicholas Inguanez, whose effort struck the crossbar.
36’ (Penalty Protest) Qala appealed for a penalty when Igor Nedeljkovic went down near the edge of the area, but the referee waved play on.
38’ (1-0) Nadur broke the deadlock when Gabriel Farrugia collected a corner from Joseph Zammit and delivered a low cross. Ian Xuereb finished from close range, with the ball striking the crossbar before crossing the line.
HT (1-0)
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Second Half:
Qala increased their attacking intensity in search of an equaliser even when they ended up playing with a player less on the field. Nadur held firm defensively, capitalised on their numerical and often threatened Qala’s rearguard with counter breaks.
11’ Qala went very close to score when Eduardo Ruiz delivered the ball inside Nadur’s area from a free kick but the header by Ferreira Dos Santos was blocked with some difficulty by goalie Steve Sultana and from the rebound the defence cleared the danger to a corner.
15’ The same goalkeeper was well placed and neutralised a shot by Jordi Parnis following a personal initiative.
16’ (red card) Qala were reduced to ten players when Joseph Buttigieg was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul in the midfield on Gabriel Fernandes.
18’ Nadur almost surprised Qala when the defence failed to clear the ball from a thrown-in by Nadur but the attempt by Brandon Said was saved in two attempts by goalie Owen Attard.
28’ The Maroons could have created more danger but a shot from outside the area by Christian Mercieca ended over the crossbar.
33’ Qala’s debutant Dias De Almeida had a good shot directly from a free kick but the ball ended high.
35’ Qala were again dangerous when Christian Mercieca delivered a cross from the right flank but Igor Nedeljkovic’s header ended over the crossbar.
39’ Nadur operated a breakthrough Joseph Zammit which could have created more danger to Qala’s defence but the striker concluded with a low shot from outside the area instead of passing to an unmarked Gabriel Fernandes so that the ball ended wide.
41’ Qala almost punished their opponents for the missed chance as Ferreira Dos Santos headed inside the area to Igor Nedeljkovic but the latter had his shot from close distance that was saved by goalie Steve Sultana.
42’ Nadur were again dangerous when Matthias Mercieca entered Qala’s area but his attempt was blocked by goalie Owen Attard.
45+4’ (2-0) Gianluca Muscat cross-shot with the ball hitting the post before ending in goal
FT (NY 2 – QS 0)
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
Asst. Referees: Kurt Saliba, Raiden Psaila
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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