22 March 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 14) Kercem Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC : 3
Gharb Rangers FC: 2
20’ (1-0) Jason Theuma
42’ (2-0) Andrea Debrincat
43’ (3-0) Carlos Cutajar
47’ (3-1) Baldwin Osayi Ogbinobaro
48’ (3-2) Michael Xuereb
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, D. Cassar, T. Markovic (S. Azzopardi 46), A. Azzopardi, J. Theuma, C.
Cutajar (R. Saliba 46), L. Atzori (Cesar Velez Da Silva 46), A. Xuereb, K. Sciberras, A.
Debrincat, L. Sultana (A. Mizzi 78).
Gharb R:
A. Micallef, A. Sultana, T. Axiak, S. Gauci (C. Zammit 46), B.O. Igbinobaro, F. Xuereb,
E. Vella, J. Xerri, M. Xuereb, N.J. Camilleri, A. Camenzuli.
In the final match of the 14th round of the Second Division league, Kercem Ajax scored
three goals in the first half to claim victory against bottom-placed Gharb Rangers,
keeping their chances alive of finishing the season with maximum points.
Kercem continued to display their dominance in the division, having already secured
promotion but still striving to complement their success by winning all their remaining
matches. This was the second meeting between the two teams in just a few days,
following their midweek Second Division Knock-Out semi-final clash. Once again,
Gharb struggled to avoid defeat, despite making life difficult for their higher-ranked
opponents, especially in the early part of the second half, when they managed to score
two quick goals.
For this match, Kercem’s coach, Daniel Bogdanović, rested several key players due to
the team’s commitments in other competitions at this late stage of the season.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Kercem dominated possession from the opening minutes, but Gharb’s defensive
organisation made it difficult for their attackers to break through. Kercem eventually
took the lead midway through the first half but, despite maintaining attacking pressure,
found it hard to create dangerous opportunities.
20’ (1-0) Kercem opened the scoring with a long-range shot from Jason Theuma,
giving the goalkeeper no chance.
31’ (crossbar). Andre Azzopardi nearly doubled the lead, but his curling effort from a
corner hit the crossbar.
41’ Kercem came close again, but a header from Tomo Markovic following a free kick
went just wide.
42’ (2-0) Kercem doubled their advantage after a defensive clearance from a corner.
Andre Azzopardi delivered a cross from the right, and Andrea Debrincat headed it into
the net.
43’ (3-0), Kercem extended their lead when Andre Azzopardi played the ball forward
with a header, and Carlos Cutajar was quick to react, tapping it into the goal.
45’ Gharb had their best chance of the half from a Michael Xuereb free kick, but the ball
went wide.
HT (3-0)
Second Half:
Gharb made a brilliant start to the second half, stunning Kercem with two quick goals in
the space of a minute. However, as the match progressed, Kercem regained control but
struggled with their finishing, while Gharb’s goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep the
game tight until the final whistle.
2’ (3-1) Gharb pulled one back from a Michael Xuereb corner, with Baldwin Osayi
Ogbinobaro is heading past the defence.
3’ (3-2) Gharb struck again immediately when Cleavon Zammit, who had just come on
as a substitute, pounced on a clearance by the goalkeeper and finished with a well-
placed shot.
15’ Gharb goalkeeper Andre Micallef kept his team in the game with two quick
saves—first, tipping Andre Azzopardi’s free kick over the bar, then blocking a header
from substitute Velez Da Silva from the resulting corner.
18’ (post) Cesar Da Silva dribbled into the box and took a shot, but goalkeeper Micallef
managed to deflect it onto the post, and the ball went out for a corner.
42’ Kercem came very close to sealing the victory when Andrea Debrincat attempted a
bicycle kick, but Micallef made a difficult save.
FT (KA 3 – GR 2)
Referee: Joseph Scerri
Asst. Referees: Darko Stankovic, Gordon Barbara.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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