2 October 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 5) Gozo Stadium
Qala Saints FC: 2
Ghajnsielem FC : 0
9’ (1-0) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins
22’ (2-0) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins
29’ (red card) Joseph Zammit (QS)
45+4’ (penalty missed – saved) Gilberto Martins Leite Carrara (QS)
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez, J. Buttigieg, L.B. Da Silva (Barreto), A.G. Castro Martins, J. Zammit, J. Pace, E. Buttigieg, G. Cardona (M. Camilleri 90+2), I. Mohammed, G. Martins Leite Carrara.
Ghajnsielem:
R. Sammut, A. Xuereb, W. Hili (M. Bezzina 46), N.I. Belhadj (D. Portelli 58), E.J. Spirandelli Costa (Tom Tom), J. Buttigieg, H. Muscat, J. Tabone Refalo, D. Murillo Borrero, J.A. Gonzalez Castillo, D.A. Cuero.
Qala Saints recovered from their recent defeat with a solid 2–0 win over Ghajnsielem. With this result, Ghajnsielem dropped their first points after three consecutive victories and missed the chance to climb to the top of the league table. Qala, on the other hand, regained some ground in the standings and can now look forward with renewed hope as they continue to defend the championship title they won last season.
The match was lively and competitive, but was effectively decided early on through two first-half goals. Ghajnsielem enjoyed greater possession for much of the game but were erratic in their finishing and failed to capitalise on their best chances. Qala, meanwhile, played with discipline and composure, catching their opponents off guard in the early stages and managing the game well, even after being reduced to ten men for over an hour. The reigning champions could have secured the result earlier, but they missed a penalty and squandered a few other clear chances in front of goal.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline
First Half:
The first half was fast-paced and entertaining. Ghajnsielem looked the more adventurous side, but Qala were well-organised and managed to contain their opponents effectively. Despite going down to ten men, Qala took advantage of two scoring opportunities and tightened up defensively to protect their lead.
3’ Ghajnsielem had the first attempt when Alberto Xuereb’s shot went over the crossbar.
9’ (1–0) Qala opened the scoring through Andre Martins, who lobbed the goalkeeper from a tight angle after a cross by Gabriel Cardona. The ball hit the underside of the bar and bounced into the net despite a desperate clearance attempt.
15’ Ghajnsielem replied through Jhon Gonzalez, who turned inside the box but sent his low shot wide.
17’ Qala goalkeeper Owen Attard saved well from Alberto Xuereb’s free kick and then denied Deison Cuero’s follow-up effort.
22’ (penalty appeal) Qala protested for a penalty when Ibrahim Mohammed went down in the box following a challenge by Cuero.
22’ (2–0) Qala doubled their lead when a cross from Gilberto Carrara was not cleared properly, allowing Andre Martins to turn the ball easily into an empty net.
27’ Ghajnsielem were denied by Attard, who blocked Jhon Rodriguez’s close-range shot after a through pass from Joshua Buttigieg.
29’ Qala responded with a low effort from Martins, which was saved by Richard Sammut.
29’ (Red card) Qala were reduced to ten men when Joseph Zammit was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Naim Belhadj.
45+3’ (missed penalty) Qala missed a chance to make it 3–0 when Carrara’s penalty, awarded for a foul on Mohammed, was saved twice by Sammut.
HT (2-0)
Second Half:
As expected, Ghajnsielem came out pushing to reduce the deficit, but they struggled to seriously test Qala’s goalkeeper. Qala, despite being a man down, remained dangerous on the counterattack.
11’ Ghajnsielem failed to capitalise when Qala’s defence couldn’t clear their lines, but James Tabone Refalo headed over from a promising position.
17’ Another good chance went begging as Gonzalez broke through and beat the keeper, only for Emanuel Buttigieg to make a superb block and prevent a certain goal.
28’ (Penalty appeals) Ghajnsielem appealed for a penalty when Cuero’s free kick struck the defensive wall.
30’ Qala goalkeeper Attard saved well from Joshua Buttigieg, who was set up by Tom Tom.
31’ Qala’s goalie Attard produced a brilliant reflex save to turn away an overhead kick from Gonzalez.
33’ Ghajnsielem replied from a Tom Tom free kick, but James Tabone Refalo headed just wide.
35’ Qala almost sealed the win when Mohammed broke into the box, but his low shot was blocked by Sammut.
36’ A header from Qala’s Martins went narrowly wide.
43’ Ghajnsielem’s substitute Michael Bezzina fired wide following a free kick from Alberto Xuereb.
45+2’ Qala could have added a third when Mohammed beat the defence on the left, but his curling effort towards the far post went just wide.
FT (QS 2 – GHJ 0)
Referee: Vladimir Rizoski
Asst. Referees: James Muscat, Paul Apap
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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