16 November 2025
GFA KO 1st Division (Q/final) Kercem Stadium
Ghajnsielem FC : 3
Xewkija Tigers FC : 4
After Extra Time
9’ (1-0) Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro
28’ (1-1) Abou Toure
71’ (2-1) Jhon Alejandro Gonzales Castillo
89’ (2-2) Marcelo Junior Barbosa
98’ (3-2) Hayden Muscat
100’ (3-3) Abou Toure
101’ (3-4) Stefan Cassar
Ghajnsielem:
G. Parnis, P. Rapa (J. Grech 110), W. Hili, M. Bezzina, E.J. Spirandelli Costa (Tom Tom), H. Muscat, M.A. Scicluna (A. Xuereb 83), J. Tabone Refalo, B.O. Igbinobaro, J.A. Gonzalez Castillo, D.A. Cuero.
Xewkija T:
A. Parnis, Js. Vella, I. Xuereb, D. Bugeja (J. Vella 85), J. Buttigieg (M. Bonnici 76), M. Barbosa (K. Mercieca 108), S. Cassar, G. Hili, B.A. Parada, B. Armando Melo Dos Santos, A. Toure (G. Xerri 120).
Xewkija Tigers earned a hard-fought 4–3 victory after extra time against Ghajnsielem in a fiercely contested First Division Knock-Out quarter-final. This was the second meeting between the two sides in the space of a week, with Xewkija starting as favourites after their 4–1 win in the previous encounter.
For this match, Ghajnsielem faced several limitations due to suspensions and injuries, while their coach Darko Stojanovic was also absent from the bench because of suspension. Despite this, Ghajnsielem produced an impressive performance, surprising their opponents and taking the lead on three occasions. However, Xewkija confirmed their strong potential as they continue challenging for all major honours in Gozitan football, recovering the deficit three times before finally turning the score in their favour with two goals scored in the first half of extra time.
The qualification was practically decided in two key moments: Xewkija forced extra time with an equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time to make it 2–2, and then scored twice within a minute in the first period of extra time, immediately after Ghajnsielem had netted their third goal.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline
First Half:
Xewkija appeared more adventurous in the early stages, but Ghajnsielem remained very solid in defence and grew increasingly dangerous through counter-attacks. Ghajnsielem scored an early goal but failed to extend their lead, allowing Xewkija to recover, equalise, and eventually take control by the end of the first half.
9’ (1–0) Ghajnsielem took the lead when goalkeeper Gabriel Parnis launched a long ball forward. Jhon Gonzalez broke into the box and squared the ball to Baldwin Ogbinobaro, who fired in from close range.
17’ (Penalty claims) Ghajnsielem protested for a penalty when Jhon Gonzalez’s shot was blocked by the defence.
20’ Ghajnsielem missed a good chance when Jhon Gonzalez broke into the box from the right, but his shot was blocked by defender Ian Xuereb.
21’ Xewkija goalkeeper Adrian Parnis was alert to neutralise a shot by Ewerton Tom.
28’ (1–1) Xewkija equalised when Ghajnsielem failed to clear a corner taken by Gennaro Hili, allowing Abou Toure to head the ball into the net.
31’ Xewkija threatened again when Ghajnsielem’s defence cleared poorly under pressure from Abou Toure. The ball fell to Marcelo Barbosa, whose shot on target was blocked by defender James Tabone Refalo.
HT (1–1)
Second Half:
Xewkija maintained the initiative but struggled to create clear chances. As time passed, Ghajnsielem became more threatening on the counter, keeping the qualification wide open.
3’ Ghajnsielem’s goalkeeper Gabriel Parnis left his line in time to block Stephan Cassar’s shot from a good position.
17’ Ghajnsielem responded with a shot by Michael Bezzina that missed the target.
18’ Xewkija wasted a golden opportunity when Ghajnsielem failed to clear the ball inside the box, but consecutive shots by Abou Toure, Brian Parada, and Marcelo Barbosa were all blocked.
26’ (2–1) Ghajnsielem regained the lead when Ewerton Tom played in Jhon Gonzalez inside the area, and the Colombian striker beat the goalkeeper with a low shot.
35’ Xewkija goalkeeper Adrian Parnis was once again called into action and comfortably saved a shot by Ewerton Tom.
37’ Xewkija missed another chance when substitute Matthias Bonnici delivered a cross, but Abou Toure failed to connect.
43’ Ghajnsielem should have sealed the win when Deison Cuero broke through the defence and rounded the goalkeeper, but the keeper recovered brilliantly to deny him, and defender Ian Xuereb cleared the danger.
44’ (2–2) Ghajnsielem were punished for the missed chance when Xewkija equalised for the second time. A cross by Gennaro Hili was not cleared, and Marcelo Barbosa scored with a central strike.
45+5’ Xewkija goalkeeper Adrian Parnis denied Jhon Gonzalez from scoring after being released by Ewerton Tom. Defender Ian Xuereb then nearly scored an own goal while clearing for a corner.
90 mins. (2–2)
Extra Time
The match remained intense, but Xewkija reacted strongly after conceding the third goal, overturning the score within one minute and managing their advantage until the final whistle.
First Half of Extra Time:
7’ Xewkija goalkeeper Adrian Parnis made two important saves in quick succession to stop close-range efforts from Jhon Gonzalez.
8’ (3-2) From the resulting corner, Xewkija failed to clear and the ball fell to Hayden Muscat, who fired into the net from the edge of the box.
10’ (3–3) Xewkija equalised for the third time when Abou Toure escaped the defence after a long pass and surprised the goalkeeper with a well-placed shot.
11’ (3–4) Xewkija took the lead for the first time with a fine strike from Stefan Cassar following a solo move.
Second Half of Extra Time:
10’ Xewkija nearly sealed the match when substitute Julian Vella received the ball unmarked after a defensive error, but his shot was cleared off the line by Wayne Hili.
13’ (Disallowed goal) Ghajnsielem thought they had equalised when Deison Cuero headed into the net from a free kick, but the goal was disallowed for a foul committed by the same player.
FT a.e.t. (GHJ 3 – XT 4)
Referee: Daniel Portelli
Asst. Referees: Patrick Falzon, Darko Stankovic
Photo: Anthony Cassar
0 Comments