16 November 2025
GFA KO 1st Division (Q/final) Kercem Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 1
Kercem Ajax FC : 1
After Extra Time
Kercem A win 4-2 on penalties
29’ (1-0) Lucas Farrugia
32’ (1-1) Andrea Debrincat
Penalties: (2-4)
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, J. Bajada, S. Galea, I. De Jesus De Santana (Jacare), L. Farrugia, E. Xiberras, J. Xuereb (T. Agius 80), M. Mamo (N. Sultana 106), D. Sowatey, J.C. Marini (Claudir), Y. Abedi (Rodo).
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, D. Bogdanovic, J. Theuma, N.C. Severiano (Nenem), R. Saliba (G. Farrugia 46), M. Henrique Fernandes Cardoso, J.M. Dos Santos Leite, A. Mizzi (N. Mercieca 69), A. Xuereb (D. Cassar 46, A. Azzoaprdi 120), A. Debrincat (L. Atzori 77).
Kercem Ajax eliminated Xaghra United from the GFA First Division Knock-Out competition after winning on penalties, keeping their challenge alive in all Gozo football competitions this season.
Xaghra were strong contenders throughout the match and created several opportunities that could have earned them qualification. Kercem appeared surprised by their opponents’ intensity and aggression, struggling to take command of the match while leaving dangerous space at the back—particularly when dealing with Xaghra’s counterattacks.
Despite the high tempo, clear scoring chances were rare for both sides, and after extra time the score remained level with both teams having found the net in the first half. In the penalty shootout, Kercem converted all four of their spot-kicks, while Xaghra scored only twice from their allotted four.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline
First Half:
The opening half was well balanced, with Xaghra looking highly motivated and surprising their more fancied opponents. Xaghra took the lead, but Kercem reacted strongly and managed to equalize, sending the teams into halftime level.
2’ Kercem threatened early through a shot by Juan Leite, but the ball went wide.
5’ Another Kercem chance followed, with Juan Leite shooting from a good position but missing the target.
12’ Xaghra responded with a backheel effort by Claudir that finished wide.
17’ Kercem goalkeeper Daniel Spiteri saved well from a Lucas Farrugia strike.
29’ (1–0) Xaghra took the lead when a shot from Rodo was parried by keeper Daniel Spiteri, and Lucas Farrugia headed in the rebound from close range.
32’ (1–1) Kercem equalised following a free-kick action, with Juan Leite crossing into the area and Andrea Debrincat heading home.
HT (1–1)
Second Half:
Kercem appeared more aggressive after the restart, but Xaghra stayed compact and relied on counterattacks. As the half progressed, Kercem increased the pressure, but Xaghra’s goalkeeper repeatedly denied them, sending the match into extra time.
12’ Xaghra goalkeeper Mattia Zammit produced two crucial saves, blocking successive shots from Nenem and Juan Leite.
30’ Zammit made another difficult save from a strong Juan Leite effort.
31’ Kercem missed a good chance: Leite crossed from the right, Zammit intercepted, but Nenem’s follow-up effort went wide.
34’ Another Kercem chance saw Leite break through before having his shot saved by Zammit; Mario Henrique failed to capitalise on the rebound.
38’ Xaghra threatened through a Rodo effort that missed the target.
44’ Substitute Lorenzo Atzori forced Zammit into a corner-saving stop with a powerful strike.
45’ Zammit again came to Xaghra’s rescue, blocking a personal-run effort from Nenem.
90 mins. (1–1)
Extra Time
First Half:
Xaghra looked more confident early in extra time, pushing forward, while Kercem appeared nervous and created little danger until the shootout loomed.
4’ Xaghra almost struck when Juan Leite produced a weak header from Rodo’s cross, easily saved by keeper Daniel Spiteri.
5’ Spiteri saved again from a low shot by Lucas Farrugia.
9’ (post) Xaghra went close when Rodo’s cross-shot clipped the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
13’ (post) Kercem responded through a Gabriel Farrugia free-kick, with Jason Theuma’s effort from the delivery hitting the post.
Second Half:
1’ Xaghra started well, but Lucas Farrugia’s attempt went wide.
4’ Kercem had a long-range attempt from Dejan Bogdanovic that went wide, amid protests claiming the goalkeeper had touched it.
10’ Another Kercem chance: a Mateus Lima free-kick was blocked for a corner, and from the ensuing play Lima headed toward goal but Jason Theuma’s attempt was saved by Zammit.
14’ (penalty appeal) Kercem appealed for a penalty when Mario Henrique went down in the box under pressure.
15’ Kercem’s final chance came from a Bogdanovic header following a free kick, but Zammit saved in two attempts.
120 mins. (1–1)
Penalty Shootout
Kercem Ajax:
Mario Henrique – scored, Nenem – scored, Mateus Lima – scored, Juan Leite – scored.
Xaghra United:
Claudir – missed (over), Jacare – scored, Lucas Farrugia – scored, Daniel Sowatey – missed (saved)
FT a.e.t. (XU 1 – KA 1)
Kercem A. won 4-2 on penalties
Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Asst. Referees: Darko Stankovic, Paula Buttigieg
Photo: Anthony Cassar
0 Comments