Kercem back to winning ways

Kercem Ajax FC : 3
Ghajnsielem FC : 2

45+3’ (1-0) penalty Andrea Debrincat
65’ (2-0) penalty Darko Krstic
71’ (3-0) Andrea Debrincat
73’ (3-1) Michael Bezzina
89’ (3-2) Igor Nedeljkovic

Kercem A:

Dizdarevic, D. Cassar, J. Sandobal Guarin, D. Krstic (A. Oularbi), A. Debrincat, E. Vella (A. Azzopardi), T. Vella, N. Mercieca (J. Buttigieg), O. Spiteri, J.P. Mizzi, M. Perisic.

Ghajnsielem:

Vella, J. Tabone, P. Nunez Del Castillo, A. Agyeman, K. Farrugia, Al. Xuereb, C.Dingli (I. Belhadj), M. Bezzina, S. Martinez Turizo (N. Stojanovic), N.I. Belhadj (K. Grima), I. Nedeljkovic.

Referee: Alex Johnson

SUMMARY

Kercem Ajax recovered from the heavy defeat conceded in their previous match of the championship and obtained a deserved 3-2 win over Ghajnsielem in the first match from Match-Day 9 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division.  With this result Kercem increased their lead over the teams who are in the relegation zone and at the same time they opened a possibility to challenge the teams who are in upper positions on the table. On the other hand Ghajnsielem, who were coming from two consecutive wins, seemed overconfident so that they conceded the initiative to their opponents during the last part of the first half and practically compromised their chances to earn a positive result from this encounter.

TIMELINE

Play during the opening minutes was balanced as Ghajnsielem failed to convert their possession into good scoring opportunities.

11’ Ghajnsielem protested for a penalty when Kercem’s keeper Vladimir Dizdarevic arrived on the ball before striker Igor Nedeljkovic following a cross from the left flank but the referee did not notice any infringement so that the goalkeeper saved the danger in two attempts.

Ghajnsielem struggled to take command of play and as time passed by they became erratic in the final passes towards their strikers.

22’ Kercem went very close to open the score when Andrea Debrincat released Darko Krstic but the latter had his shot that was partially blocked by Ghajnsielem’s goalkeeper Franklin Vella and the ball ended in a corner.

24’ Kercem went again close to scoring but a free kick by Darko Krstic ended wide.

35’ Ghajnsielem operated a counter a counter break through Sebastien Martinez Turizo released Naim Ibrahim Belhadj but the latter entered the area but his low shot was well saved by Kercem’s keeper Vladimir Dizdarevic.

36’ Kercem were unlucky when a header by Jhon Sandobal Guarin following a corner kick by Elton Vella was saved by the goalkeeper Franklin Vella with the aid of the crossbar.

42’ Ghajnsielem replied through a shot from outside the area by Sebastien Martinez Turizo that was saved without difficulty by goalie Vladimir Dizdarevic.

45+2 – penalty – Kercem were awarded a penalty when Darko Krstic entered Ghajnsielem’s area following a counter break but the striker was floored by central defender Asante Agyeman.

45+3’ (1-0) Kercem capitalised from the penalty and Andrea Debrincat opened the score with his shot form the spot kick.

HT (1-0)

Ghajnsielem seemed determined to produce a reaction after the break.

5’ Ghajnsielem’s striker Igor Nedeljkovic passed inside Kercem’s area to Michael Bezzina but the latter had his low shot that was neutralised by goalie Vladimir Dizdarevic.

16’Kercem replied with a good action by Andrea Debrincat from the right flank but as soon as he entered the area the striker saw his attempt that ended away from Ghajsnielem’s goal.

19’ – penalty – Kercem were awarded a second penalty when striker Darko Krstic took the ball following a short clearance by Ghajnsielem’s defence but was floored by Alberto Xuereb as he tried to turn towards the goal.

20’ (2-0) penalty – Kercem doubled the score through the shot from the spot kick by Darko Krstic.

23’ Ghajnsielem could have re-opened the issue but an effort by Pablo Nunez Del Castillo, following a clearance by Kercem’s John Sandobal Guarin following a corner action, ended just wide.

26’ (3-0) Kercem practically sealed the win when Ghajsielem’s defence cleared badly a cross by Darko Krstic and the ball arrived to Andrea Debrincat who fired in goal from close distance.

28’ (3-1) Ghajnsielem  reduced the deficit through a low shot form the edge of the area by Michael Bezzina that surprised Kercem’s keeper.

38’ In another occasion Ghajnsielem’s Nemanja Stojanovic, who came in a s a substitute during the second period, had a free kick form a good position that missed the target.

44’ (3-2) Ghajnsielem scored their second goal when Michael Bezzina released Igor Nedeljkovic inside Kercem’s area and the striker netted with a low shot.

FT (3-2)

HIGHLIGHTS