22 February 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 14) Gozo Stadium
Qala Saints FC : 0
Kercem Ajax FC: 2
52’ (0-1) Lorenzo Atzori
56’ (0-2) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins
62’ (red card) Ibrahim Mohammed (QS)
Qala S:
O. Attard, N. Inguanez, J. Buttigieg (K. Mifsud 83), J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos (Sergipe), M. Buttigieg (M. Camilleri 68), J. Zammit, E. Buttigieg, N.C. Njoku (J. Parnis 68), B. Da Cruz, M. Ibrahim, G. Martins Leite Carrara (G. Cardona 74).
Kercem A:
F. Vella, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, D. Bogdanovic, J. Theuma, N.C. Severiano (Nenem) (M. Camilleri 84), R. Saliba, A.G. Castro Martins, G. Vella (G. Muscat 74), A. Mizzi (L. Atzori 46), R. Cocolin Bosquerio, S. Azzopardi (A. Xuereb 90+1).
Kercem Ajax solidified their lead at the top of the table by earning three points from a 2-0 victory over Qala Saints. With this result, Kercem avenged the defeat they suffered against Qala in the first round and wrapped up their commitments in the second round with six wins from six matches.
Both teams entered this match with the ambition to secure a win. Reigning champions Qala had the chance to reduce the gap with the teams ahead by three points, while Kercem aimed to confirm their strong spell of form and remain favorites to win the championship. As a result, this defeat compromised Qala’s chances of defending their title, as they will now start the third and final round with a nine-point deficit behind Kercem.
In this game, Kercem once again showed confidence in their potential and were able to wait patiently to achieve the desired result. The first half was very balanced, with few scoring opportunities, but in the second half, Kercem took control of the match, opened up a two-goal advantage, and after Qala were reduced to ten men, managed their lead with even greater authority, denying their opponents any chance to get back into the game.
Timeline:
First Half:
For much of the first half, play was concentrated in midfield, and both teams struggled to create serious scoring chances.
4’ Qala had the first attempt on goal with a shot from Bruno Da Cruz that went over the bar.
7’ Kercem could have been more dangerous but a header from a good position by Andre Martins went wide.
31’ Kercem had a long-range shot from Samuel Azzopardi that missed the target.
33’ Qala responded with a free kick shot from Bruno Da Cruz that almost surprised Kercem’s goalkeeper Franklin Vella.
35’ The same goalkeeper was again called into action to block an attempt from a good position by Ibrahim Mohammed.
43’ In another Qala attack, a shot from outside the box by Nicholas Inguanez was saved centrally by Kercem’s goalkeeper Franklin Vella.
HT (0-0)
Second Half:
Kercem came out much more aggressive for the second half and took command of the match, practically securing the win with two goals in the space of four minutes.
4’ Kercem could have created more danger, but a low shot aimed at the far post by Andre Martins went wide.
7’ (0-1) Kercem opened the scoring when Andre Martins found Lorenzo Atzori unmarked in the box. Atzori, who had come on as a substitute at the start of the second half, finished with a low shot into the net.
11’ (0-2) Kercem doubled their lead when Dejan Bogdanovic headed forward, allowing Andre Martins to escape the defence and find himself alone in front of the goalkeeper, easily slotting the ball into the net.
17’ (red card) Qala were reduced to ten men when Ibrahim Mohammed was sent off for reacting to an opponent before Qala took a corner.
41’ Kercem could have sealed the win with another goal, but a low shot from a good position by substitute Michael Camilleri went wide.
FT (QS 0 – KA 2)
Referee: Daniel Casha
Asst. Referees: Vasil Vasilev, Danilo Francalanza
0 Comments