21 September 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 2) Gozo Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC : 2
Sannat Lions FC : 1
12’ (1-0) Isaias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza
31’ (1-1) Yeangel Emilio Montero Manzano
45+1’ (2-1) Patrick Tiengo Vasconcellos
90+3’ (penalty missed – saved) Isaias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza
Kercem A:
M. Saldanha Moreira, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, R. Cicolin Bosquerio, R. Saliba, A.G. Castro Martins (J. Theuma 89), G. Vella, P. Tiengo Vasconcellos (M. Camilleri 71), G. Muscat (A. Mizzi 46), S. Azzopardi, I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza, M. Cordina (G. Farrugia 76).
Sannat L:
I.G. Colombo, J. Axiak (E. Bennici 46), D. Galea, U. Alexander, Y.E. Montero Manzano, J. Buttigieg (T. Grech 79), J.F. Tsoumou Hama, L. Felix De Melo Gomes, H. Muscat (K. Calleja 46), J. Tabone Refalo, M.L.F. Ferriera.
Reigning champions Kercem Ajax began the defence of the title they won last season with a difficult 2-1 victory over promoted side Sannat Lions. Kercem were favourites to win this encounter, especially as Sannat had suffered defeat in their opening league match. However, Sannat looked determined to make up for that disappointment and offered serious resistance to their more highly rated opponents, keeping alive their hopes of taking at least a point until the final moments.
Kercem may have appeared slightly overconfident for this match, not only because they remain the main favourites for honours, but also because they had won the BOV GFA Super Cup convincingly in their first competitive match of the season. In this fixture, Kercem failed to turn their territorial superiority into a greater number of scoring chances, allowing their opponents to stay in the contest.
Nevertheless, Kercem showed experience in the way they managed this difficult match, and the performance does not diminish the potential of a side that can once again be a leading force in local competitions. They remained organised, contained Sannat’s reaction and went into the break ahead thanks to a goal scored just seconds before the end of first-half added time. After the interval, they were also quick to reduce their attacking initiative in order to protect their one-goal lead.
Sannat surprised in this match. Although they had produced a good second-half display in their opening fixture, few expected them to challenge the champions in this encounter. However, Sannat paid the price mainly for some uncertainty in attack, where they could have been more dangerous, and ultimately fell short of earning their first point of the campaign.
Timeline
First Half:
Kercem took the initiative from the opening minutes, but Sannat were well deployed defensively and Kercem found it difficult to create clear scoring opportunities. Kercem managed to score early, but Sannat kept believing and found an equaliser. In the closing moments of the half the match became more open, and Kercem made the most of a chance in added time to go into the break in front.
12’ (1-0) Kercem opened the scoring when Gabriel Vella delivered a cross from the left and Isaias Cruz arrived to finish into the net with a first-time effort.
18’ Kercem were threatening, but Matthias Cordina’s shot was deflected by the defence for a corner.
31’ (1-1) Sannat surprised their opponents when Jubhel Tsoumou released Yeangel Montero inside the area, and Montero caught the goalkeeper out with a central half-height shot.
45’ (crossbar) Sannat were unlucky when Jubhel Tsoumou’s close-range header struck the crossbar.
45+1’ (2-1) Kercem regained the lead when, from a cross from the right, the defence failed to clear properly and Patrick Tiengo took advantage to finish from close range.
HT (2-1)
Second Half:
The second half remained interesting as Kercem tried to extend their lead, while Sannat tested the opposing defence mainly through counter-attacks. Sannat increased pressure during the final stages but they were erratic int heir finishing, while Kercem missed an opportunity to put their minds at rest with a third goal when they missed a penalty kick so that the score remained unchanged.
7’ (post) Sannat went very close to equalising when Yeangel Montero’s long-range shot struck the post. From the rebound, Lucas Gomes collected the ball, but his effort was blocked for a corner by goalkeeper Matheus Saldanha.
12’ Kercem could have done better when substitute Andrew Mizzi delivered a cross into the area, but Andre Martins mistimed his effort from a good position and the goalkeeper saved without difficulty.
17’ (goal disallowed) Kercem appeared to have extended the score when, from a Matthias Cordina free kick, the defence failed to clear and Mateus Lima turned the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
35’ Sannat were dangerous when substitute Tristan Grech’s shot was blocked by Andrew Mizzi, but the defence failed to clear. Sannat kept the pressure on, and substitute Kieran Calleja eventually had a central shot saved comfortably by Matheus Saldanha.
45+2’ Sannat had their final opportunity to save the result, but David Galea’s low shot went narrowly wide.
45+3’ (penalty) Kercem could have sealed the victory with another goal when they were awarded a penalty for James Tabone Refalo’s foul on Isaias Cruz, but the Kercem forward’s spot kick was saved by Sannat goalkeeper Ignacio Colombo.
FT (KA 2 – SL 1)
Referee: Wayne Sammut
Asst. Referees: Darko Stankovic, Jake Farrugia
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