11 February 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 14) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 2
Qala Saints FC : 3
6’ (1-0) Lucas Farrugia
18’ (1-1) Igor Nedeljkovic
19’ (2-1) Johan Alberto Castano
62’ (2-2) Christian Mercieca
69’ (red card) Savio Galea (XU)
71’ (2-3) Christian Mercieca
Xaghra U:
L. Xuereb, J. Bajada, S. Galea, L. Farrugia (C. Camilleri 81), M. Bezzina (S. Suktana 81), J.A. Castano, D. Andelovic, M. Mamo (C. Galea 67), D. Sowatey, F.J. Xuereb, J.Y. Suzuki Bicudo.
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez, Jsph. Buttigieg (G. Cardona 76), J.A. Ferreira Dis Santos,, C. Mercieca, E.E Ruiz (K. Farrugia 54, P. Rapa 80), E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis, N.C. Njoku, L.S. Nascimento Dias Almeida, I. Nedeljkovic.
In the last match of the second round of the BOV Gozo Football League First Division, Qala Saints came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory against Xaghra United, keeping pace with league leaders Nadur Youngsters and remaining in contention for the championship title.
This match was a direct confrontation between two teams that needed all three points to maintain their ambitions of winning the championship. As a result, the game turned into an intense and hard-fought battle, with the final result remaining uncertain until the very end.
As expected, Qala had territorial dominance, but Xaghra once again demonstrated their ability to compete, with organized defending and fast transitions. Xaghra held the lead for most of the match but lost confidence after conceding the second equalising goal. They ended up playing the final phase of the match with one player less and conceded a third goal to Qala, which ultimately decided the game. In the final minutes, Xaghra increased their efforts to salvage the result but failed to capitalise on potential scoring opportunities, leaving the pitch empty-handed and practically out of the title race.
On the other hand, Qala delivered a courageous performance, showing character and belief in their ability to secure the win despite difficulties. However, in this match, Qala still appeared to be struggling to regain the dominant form they displayed in the first part of the season. The team seems to be under pressure following disappointing results in the second round, which cost them their position at the top of the table. They ended the second round in second place, just one point behind leaders Nadur. Nevertheless, this result keeps Qala among the top teams in Gozitan football, and for the third consecutive season, they remain Nadur’s biggest challengers in the battle for the most prestigious honour in Gozitan football. The standout player for Qala in this victory was undoubtedly Christian Mercieca, who scored the two decisive goals in the match.
Timeline:
Qala started aggressively, but Xaghra took an early lead, giving them confidence. Despite conceding an equaliser, Xaghra regained the lead immediately and went into halftime ahead.
3’ Qala threatened early when Christian Mercieca delivered a cross, but Igor Nedeljkovic’s close-range effort went wide.
6’ (1-0) Xaghra opened the scoring as Suzuki Bicudo made a run down the left, passing to Lucas Farrugia, who finished with a first-time shot into the net.
8’ Qala responded with an attacking move as Nicholas Inguanez entered the box, but Igor Nedeljkovic’s backheel attempt was saved by Xaghra goalkeeper Lorjean Xuereb.
9’ Another Qala chance as a long-range shot from Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz went wide.
18’ (1-1) Qala equalized when Nathan Njoku provided a through ball from midfield, allowing Igor Nedeljkovic to anticipate the goalkeeper’s charge and slot the ball home.
19’ (2-1) Xaghra immediately regained the lead as Damir Andelovic advanced centrally and set up Johan Alberto Castano. His shot was misjudged by Qala defender Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos, who accidentally scored an own goal.
23’ Qala threatened again as Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz attempted a first-time shot, but it missed the target.
30’ Xaghra goalkeeper Lorjean Xuereb made a difficult save to stop a shot from Duias Almeida.
39’ Xaghra came close to scoring directly from a corner kick by Suzuki Bicudo, but Qala goalkeeper Owen Attard managed to deflect it for another corner.
41’ Xuereb denied Qala again, pulling off a difficult save to stop a curling shot from Jordi Parnis.
45+1’ Qala almost equalized before halftime when Xuereb failed to clear a long-range free kick from Ruiz, but Christian Mercieca’s low shot went wide.
HT (2-1)
Second Half
The match remained intense as Qala pushed to recover while Xaghra remained dangerous on the counter. Qala’s persistence paid off as they equalised, and shortly after, Xaghra had a player sent off. Qala took advantage of their numerical superiority to complete the comeback and managed the game until the final whistle.
13’ Qala threatened again from a free kick by Igor Nedeljkovic, but his shot went wide.
17’ (2-2) Qala levelled the score for the second time as Christian Mercieca surprised the goalkeeper with a long-range shot.
23’ Qala missed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Xaghra’s defence failed to clear a free kick. Igor Nedeljkovic and Ferreira Dos Santos got in each other’s way, and Nedeljkovic’s shot went over the bar in front of an empty goal.
24’ (Red Card) Xaghra were reduced to ten men as defender Savio Galea received a second yellow card for a foul in midfield.
26’ (2-3) Qala took the lead for the first time in the match as Christian Mercieca struck again, catching the defence and goalkeeper off guard with a first-time shot from the edge of the box.
44’ Xaghra pushed forward, and Damir Andelovic attempted a personal effort, but his shot went over the bar.
45+2’ Qala had a chance to seal the victory, but Igor Nedeljkovic’s shot was deflected for a corner by the defence.
45+5’ Xaghra came close to equalizing in a chaotic goalmouth scramble, but Suzuki Bicudo’s shot was blocked near the goal line.
45+6’ Xaghra’s final chance to rescue a point came from a free kick by substitute Chris Camilleri, but Qala goalkeeper Owen Attard saved it for a corner.
FT (XU 2 – QS 3)
Referee: Vladimir Rizoski
Asst. Referees: Robert Curtis, Rapjan Xhyra
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