Xewkija, Wanderers Share Four Goals in Championship Finale

10 April 2025

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 21) Gozo Stadium

Xewkija Tigers FC : 2

SK Victoria Wanderers FC: 2

5’ (0-1) David Garba Emmanuel

20’ (penalty missed – saved) Brian Alejandro Parada (XT)

45+2’ (0-2) Sam Harland

53’ (1-2) Brian Alejandro Parada

81’ (2-2) Brian Alejandro Parada

Xewkija T:

N. Kosanin, Js. Vella, J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja, G. Hili, M. Bonnici (Jshu. Buttigieg 82), S. Cassar, C.D. Frances, B.A. Parada, J. Farrugia, E. De Sousa Santos.

SK Victoria W:

S. Camilleri (O. Xuereb 58), W. Soares Da Silva, N. Camilleri, J.W. Meilak, I.H. Da Silva Costa, D.G. Emmanuel, S. Harland, A. Touarha, J. Saliba, N. Vella (C.S. Souza Da Silva 58), L. Fenech.

In the final match of the Gozo First Division campaign, Xewkija Tigers and SK Victoria Wanderers played out an entertaining 2–2 draw, earning one point apiece. The draw left Xewkija firmly in third place, while Victoria secured fourth.

Both teams had entered the game eyeing a win, with Xewkija consolidating third, while Victoria leapfrogging into third on goal difference, so the result was fittingly dramatic, with neither side lacking commitment.

In truth, both clubs failed to achieve their respective objective at the beginning of the championship.  Xewkija began the campaign with higher aspirations and, despite flashes of promise mid-season, they dropped key points in head-to-head clashes that cost them a genuine shot at the title. Victoria, though securing a positive finish, never quite found the consistency needed to challenge at the top and spent long spells worrying about a potential Play-Off.

Moreover, both teams’ leading scorers, Xewkija’s Brian Alejandro Parada and Victoria’s Igor Henrique Da Silva Costa, entered the match vying for the honour of the league’s Top Scorer. Parada struck twice, while Da Silva Costa was repeatedly denied by Xewkija’s goalkeeper in various one-on-one situations. In the end, Parada’s brace took him to 19 goals, drawing level with Da Silva Costa and sharing the top-scorer honour.

Photo: Anthony Cassar

Timeline:

5’ (0–1) Victoria took an early lead when David Emmanuel Garba ran onto a through ball, cut inside the box and found the corner with a low finish past the keeper.

6’ Victoria remained dangerous, but a Sam Harland attempt to set up Da Silva Costa was thwarted by Xewkija’s keeper Nikola Kosanin.

8’ (crossbar) Xewkija nearly equalised when Gennaro Hili’s cross found Parada, whose header struck the woodwork and was cleared.

20’ (penalty missed – saved) Xewkija were awarded a penalty for a foul on Parada, but his spot kick was saved by Victoria keeper Samuel Camilleri.

22’ Victoria could have gone two up, but Da Silva Costa’s chance was deflected wide.

24’ (crossbar) Xewkija hit the woodwork again, this time via a long-range strike by Stefan Cassar.

25’ A quick Victoria break saw Da Silva Costa feed David Garba, but Kosanin came off his line superbly to smother the chance.

43’ Xewkija threatened once more when Matthias Bonnici set up Claudio Frances, whose first-time shot drifted wide.

45’ Victoria’s goalie, Samuel Camilleri, was well placed and neutralised a low shot by Matthias Bonnici.

45+2’ (0–2) – Victoria doubled their lead when Sam Harland intercepted a back pass, rounded the keeper and slotted home.

HT (0-2)

Photo: Anthony Cassar

Second Half:

Xewkija came out for the second period, and as soon as they reduced the deficit, the match became much more exciting with scoring opportunities at the ends of the field.

3’ Victoria looked to extend, but Da Silva Costa’s effort was saved.

8’ (1–2) Xewkija pulled one back when Gennari Hili’s cross found Brian Alejandro Parada, who arrived on the ball before Victoria’s goalkeeper, Samuel Camilleri, who was injured in the action, and the striker pushed in goal from close distance.

20’ Xewkija pressed for an equaliser, forcing substitute goalkeeper Omar Xuereb to turn to a corner an effort by Matthias Bonnici.

21’ Victoria went close to regaining the two-goal lead when Da Silva Costa entered Xewkija’s area from the left flank, but his shot from close distance was saved to a corner by goalie Nikolas Kosanin.

23’ Xewkija replied with a strike by Stefan Cassar from outside the area that was turned to a corner by goalie Omar Xuereb.

28’ Victoria could have created more danger in a prolonged action inside Xewkija’s area, but a shot on the run by Caique Souza Da Silva, who came in as a substitute, was blocked by the defence.

29’ The Wanderers were again dangerous through a shot from a good position by David Garb, but the ball ended away from goal.

33’ Victoria’s goalie Omar Xuereb was called to make another important intervention to turn to a corner an effort by Matthias Bonnici.

36’ (2–2)  Xewkija completed the comeback when Brian Alejandro Parada met a right-wing cross from Denzil Bugeja and powered a header into the net.

40’ Victoria went close to regaining the lead, but a good shot by Igor Da Silva Costa following a personal action was blocked to a corner by the defence.

44’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin denied the Wanderers from scoring when he blocked a close-range shot by David Garba following a counter-break by Caique Souza Da Silva.

45+3’ Xewkija went very close to scoring the decisive goal, but a good shot by Brian Alejandro Parada was saved to a corner by goalie Omar Xuereb.

45+3’ (protests for a penalty) Late drama saw Xewkija claiming a penalty when Stefan Cassar went down in the box after winning possession from the defence, but the penalty shout was waved away for simulation.

FT (SKVW 2 – XT 2)

Referee: Anthony Paul Vella 

Asst. Referees: Rapjan Xhyra, Zak Anastasi

Photo: Anthony Cassar