23 February 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 16) Gozo Stadium
Oratory Youths FC : 0
Qala Saints FC : 5
30’ (0-1) Jordi Parnis
45+2’ (0-2) Gabriel Cardona
48’ (0-3) Christian Mercieca
59’ (0-4) Luan Sergio Nascimento Dias De Almeida
88’ (0-5) Shaun Bajada
Oratory Y:
A. Brignoli (J. Vella 85), J. Xerri, C. Cardona (R. Podrtelli 75), I. Zarb, D.A. Cuero, D.
Saliba (A. Pace 85), G. Ellis, N.M. Venegas Miranda (R. Curmi 85), C. Saliba, J.I.
Offorzor, R. Almeida Lopes (J. Grima 85).
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez (S. Curmi 62), Jsph. Buttigieg (P. Rapa 62), C. Mercieca (S.
Bajada 82), E. Buttigieg, J. Parnis, G. Cardona, N.C. Njoku, E. Grozdanov, L.S.
Nascimento Dias Almeida (A.A. Xerri 82), I. Nedeljkovic.
Qala Saints took advantage of Nadur Youngsters’ unexpected defrat over the weekend
and secured three points with a 5-0 victory over Oratory Youths, reclaiming the top spot
in the standings at Nadur’s expense. With this result, Qala now approach their direct
encounter with Nadur, scheduled for March 9, with greater confidence, knowing that a
draw will be enough to maintain their lead for the final three matches. On the other
hand, this defeat means Oratory are now mathematically relegated to the second
division, remaining without a single point after 14 matches.
Qala started the match without two regular players—defender Ferreira Dos Santos due
to suspension and Ezequiel Eduardo Ruiz, who was on the bench recovering from an
injury. However, they dominated the game, effectively securing the three points with four
goals within the first hour of play.
In this match, Qala appeared highly determined and seemed to have recovered from
the difficult phase in which they had lost their top spot in the standings. Against Oratory,
they displayed effective football, creating multiple scoring opportunities, netting through
five different players, and maintaining a clean sheet despite Oratory’s late efforts to
score a consolation goal.
Timeline:
Qala, as expected, took control of the game from the opening minutes but had to wait
until the half-hour mark to open the score. Oratory tried to make it difficult for their
opponents but lacked attacking strength, allowing Qala to increase their lead just before
halftime and essentially secure the three points.
4’ Qala created the first real attempt on goal with a shot from a good position by Igor
Nedeljkovic, but goalkeeper Angelo Brignoli saved it without difficulty.
13’ Qala had another opportunity, but Joseph Buttigieg’s first-time shot missed the
target.
17’ Oratory goalkeeper Angelo Brignoli was called into action again to stop a central
shot from Igor Nedeljkovic.
27’ Oratory responded with a cross-shot from the right by Offorzor, but Qala goalkeeper
Owen Attard was alert and cleared for a corner.
30’ (0-1) Qala opened the scoring when Jordi Parnis took advantage of space in the
opposing defence, advanced into the box, and beat the goalkeeper with a shot to the far
post.
35’ Qala nearly doubled their lead when Igor Nedeljkovic set up Christian Mercieca,
who mis-hit his shot from a good position, allowing the goalkeeper to save.
39’ (protests for penalty) Qala appealed for a penalty after Christian Mercieca went to
ground while trying to get past Jamie Xerri inside the box.
41’ Qala missed a good chance when Gabriel Cardona sent in a low cross, Dias De
Almeida mis-hit the ball, and Igor Nedeljkovic’s close-range shot was saved in two
attempts by Oratory’s goalkeeper.
45+2’ (0-2) Qala scored their second goal when Christian Mercieca set up Gabriel
Cardona, who advanced into the box, rounded the goalkeeper, and slotted into an
empty net.
HT (0-2)
Second Half:
Qala continued to dominate in the second half, extending their lead with two early
goals. As time passed, the match lost intensity, although Oratory made efforts to score
a consolation goal.
3’ (0-3) Qala scored again when Jordi Parnis kept the ball from going out, sent it toward
goal, and Christian Mercieca tapped it into the net.
9’ Oratory goalkeeper Angelo Brignoli reacted well to deny a close-range header from
Gabriel Cardona following a cross from Christian Mercieca.
12’ (crossbar) Qala were unlucky when a shot from close range by Igor Nedeljkovic,
following a Christian Mercieca cross, struck the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.
14’ (0-4) Qala extended their lead after a long attack. A poor defensive clearance led to
a shot from Nicholas Inguanez, which was saved for a corner. From the resulting
corner, Igor Nedeljkovic’s header was partially saved, and Luan Sergio Nascimento
Dias De Almeida tapped in the rebound into an empty net.
21’ Oratory had a golden opportunity when Jamie Xerri won the ball from the defence
after a goalkeeper error, advanced into the box, but sent his shot over the crossbar.
23’ Qala almost added another goal when Igor Nedeljkovic dribbled past the Oratory
defence and the goalkeeper but shot into the side netting.
28’ Oratory were dangerous when Deison Cuero made a solo run, but his shot was
partially saved by Owen Attard before the defence cleared the danger.
34’ Qala’s goalkeeper was forced to make a save to deny a free kick from Rian Almeida
Lopes.
36’ Another Oratory chance saw Rian Almeida Lopes play in Venegas Miranda, whose
well-positioned shot was turned away for a corner by goalkeeper Owen Attard.
43’ (0-5) Qala sealed the victory when player-coach Shaun Bajada, who had come on
five minutes earlier, latched onto a long pass from substitute Paul Rapa and lobbed the
ball over the goalkeeper.
FT (OY 0 – QS 5)
Referee: Raiden Psaila
Asst. Referees: David Castillo, Paul Apap
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