12 April 2025
GFA 2nd Division KO (Final) Gozo Stadium
Sannat Lions FC : 1
Kercem Ajax FC : 3
18’ (1-0) Aud-Gustine James Obaje
35’ (1-1) Cesar Velez Da Silva
53’ (1-2) Lorenzo Atzori
69’ (1-3) Andrew Mizzi
Sannat L:
K. Attard, K. Xuereb (P. Said 65), G. Portelli, A.J. Obaje, E. Gauci (D. Bellotti 65), G. Debrincat (M. Vella 77), E. Bennici, C. Gauci, A. Azzopardi, C. Buttigieg (W. Debono 84), T. Grech (G. Xerri 65).
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, D. Cassar, A. Azzopardi (L. Sultana 79), J. Theuma, R. Saliba, C. Vella (K. Sciberras 79), A. Mizzi, A. Xuereb (C. Cutajar 46), A. Debrincat (L. Atzori 46), S. Azzopardi, C. Velez Da Silva.
Kercem Ajax wrapped up their commitments in the second division competitions this season with a 3-1 win against Sannat Lions in the final of the Knock-Out competition for the category. With this success, Kercem not only won all three honours of the Second Division for the 2024/2025 season, but also managed to win all their matches in the division. Throughout the season, Kercem only suffered one defeat, in the MFA Izbet FA Trophy competition, against a team from the MFA Amateur League II. They still have the chance to impress further as they are semi-finalists in the BOV GFA Cup, where they will face SK Victoria Wanderers from the First Division.
The final of the Second Division Knock-Out competition turned out to be an interesting match because, despite the expected dominance from Kercem, Sannat came out motivated and determined to be competitive, and for much of the game, they held on to the belief that they could win the honour. Sannat shocked Kercem by taking the lead and although Ajax soon equalised, the two teams went into halftime with a draw. Kercem then increased their efforts in the second half, putting more pressure on the defence and turning the result in their favour by scoring twice more, ending the game with a well-deserved victory.
At the end of the match, a medal and trophy presentation was held for both the finalists and the winners by the President of the Gozo Football Association, Dr. Samuel Azzopardi, along with other association officials.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
For much of the first half, the game was highly contested as Sannat managed to counter Kercem’s initiatives, and both teams went into the break with a goal each.
18’ (1-0) Sannat surprised Kercem and took the lead when, following a long-range free kick by Aaron Azzopardi, Aud-gustin James Obaje finished into the net on the second attempt.
20’ Kercem responded with a shot by Ryan Saliba that went over the bar.
25’ In another Kercem attack, Andrew Mizzi set up Andrea Debrincat, who entered the box but sent a low shot wide.
26’ (1-1) Kercem equalised when Cesar Velez Da Silva exchanged passes with Andrea Debrincat and concluded with a low shot into the net.
31’ Kercem kept pressing and were dangerous with a shot by Antonio Xuereb that was cleared off the line by defender Tristan Grech to deny a certain goal.
37’ Sannat’s defence faced more danger when, from a free kick by Christian Vella, Jason Theuma headed the ball into the box, but Cesar Velez Da Silva’s attempt was blocked on the line.
HT (1-1)
Second Half:
Kercem took control of the game in the second half and turned the score in their favour, allowing them to comfortably manage a two-goal lead in the final stages.
8’ (1-2) Kercem took the lead when Sannat’s defence failed to clear a cross from the right, and substitute Lorenzo Atzori capitalised by slotting the ball into the net from close range.
17’ Kercem could have created more danger when, from a Christian Vella corner, a header by Samuel Azzopardi went over the bar.
24’ (1-3) Kercem essentially sealed the win with a third goal that came from a header by Andrew Mizzi following a cross from the left by Andre Azzopardi.
29’ Kercem almost added another goal when Cesar Velez Da Silva passed to Samuel Azzopardi, whose shot from the edge of the area missed the target.
31’ In another Kercem attack, a shot from a good position by Andrew Mizzi went wide.
37’ Sannat had their best chance to reduce the score, but Cyriel Buttigieg’s shot went well wide of the goal.
39’ Kercem came close again when Carlos Cutajar, who had come on as a substitute at the start of the second half, passed to Cesar Velez Da Silva, who missed the target with his shot.
45’ (Post) The final serious chance of the match came from Kercem, when Andrew Mizzi anticipated the goalkeeper’s movement and lobbed the ball, which hit the post, and from the rebound, the defence managed to clear the danger.
FT (SL 1 – KA 3)
Referee: Joseph Scerri
Asst. Referees: Patrick Falzon, Anthony Paul Vella
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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