16 February 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 15) Gozo Stadium
SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 0
Qala Saints FC: 1
6’ (0-1) Christian Mercieca
SK Victoria W:
O. Xuereb, W. Soares Da Silva, N. Camilleri, C.S. Souza Da Silva, M. Cordina, I.H. Da
Silva Costa, E. Zammit, D.G. Emmanuel, S. Harland (J.W. Meilak 80), A. Touarha, L.
Fenech.
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez, Jsph. Buttigieg, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, C. Mercieca, E.
Buttigieg, J. Parnis, G. Cardona (E. Grozdanov 70), N.C. Njoku, L.S. Nascimento Dias
Almeida, I. Nedeljkovic.
In the headline match of the third round’s opening day, Qala Saints secured a crucial 1-
0 win over SK Victoria Wanderers, earning three valuable points. With this victory, the
Maroons remain the sole challengers to league leaders Nadur Youngsters, setting up
another intense title race between the two sides for the third consecutive season.
The match lived up to expectations, with both teams putting up a strong fight and the
outcome remaining uncertain until the final whistle. Qala took an early lead and spent
much of the game defending resolutely, committing several players to protect their
advantage. Their disciplined defensive display highlighted the team’s growing
experience and ability to withstand pressure, particularly in the second half when
Victoria Wanderers intensified their efforts to find an equaliser. Qala’s striker Christian
Mericeca was the hero for his side for the second consecutive match by scoring the
decisive goal of the encounter.
The Wanderers entered the match determined to complete a season double over Qala.
However, an early setback saw them chasing the game, despite producing the better
play and creating several scoring chances. Their attacking inefficiency proved costly, as
they ultimately walked away empty-handed, missing an opportunity to improve their
position in the standings.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Play for most of the first half was contested as the two sides came out to take command of play. However, the Maroons were more direct in their manoeuvre
and took the driving seat by scoring a goal after a few minutes of play.
6’ (0-1) Qala took the lead with a shot directly from a free kick by Christian Mercieca
that ended in the upper corner of the net and out of the reach of Victoria’s goalie.
19’ The Wanderers replied with a header by Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa from a free
kick by Caique Souza Da Silva but the ball ended wide.
24’ Victoria could have created more danger but a header by Sam Harland following a
corner kick by Caique Souza Da Silva ended away from the goal.
25’ Qala’s Dias De Almeida had a shot from a long distance but the ball ended high.
26’ The Maroons once again tried to create danger with a shot from outside the area,
on this occasion through Christian Mercieca, but once again the ball ended over the
crossbar.
32’ Victoria was dangerous through a crossshot by Aaron Touarha from the left but the
ball ended wide.
42’ The Wanderers went very close to levelling the score when David Garba delivered the
ball inside Qala’s area from a throw-in but Weder Soares saw his close-ranged header
saved in two attempts by Qala’s goalie Owen Attard.
HT (1-0)
Second Half
The Wanderers came out for the second period with the intention to recover the deficit
and most of the time, they enjoyed territorial supremacy and created potential
scoring opportunities where they could have achieved their objective. Victoria’s strikers
however, failed to capitalise on their finishing and Qala managed to defend well so that
the Maroons protected their one-goal lead until the final whistle.
3’ Victoria could have created more danger but a shot from a good position by Sam
Harland ended away from the goal.
8’ The Wanderers were again dangerous when Qala’s defence failed to clear a corner
kick by Caique Sousa Da Silva but Sam Harland’s attempt was deflected to a corner.
19’ The Citizens went close to scoring the equaliser when Qala’s keeper Owen Attard
cleared off the line an attempt from a corner kick by Luke Fenech and the same the
goalkeeper was in the right place to save the header from a close distance by David
Garba.
25’ Qala’s defence was once again under pressure following a corner kick by Luke
Fenech and at the end, Victoria’s Neil Camilleri saw his header from a close distance that
was saved by the goalkeeper.
34’ The Wanderers were again dangerous through an initiative by David Garba but his
attempt was blocked to a corner.
44’ Victoria missed their last opportunity to save the result when Qala’s defence cleared
badly from the goalmouth but Neil Camilleri’s shot was weak and goalie Owen Attard
neutralised without difficulty.
FT (SKVW 0 – QS 1)
Referee: Alex Johnson
Asst. Referees: Duncan Spencer, Keiran Mallia
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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