Champions Nadur Youngsters and title challengers Xewkija Tigers earned a point each following a 1-1 draw to share top spot in the GFA Division One.
The match between Nadur and Xewkija lived up to the expectations and confirmed that both sides have the potential to aim for the main honour.
The Tigers left a positive impression as they created more scoring opportunities than their opponents.
On the other hand, Nadur managed to obtain a positive result, through their experience playing important matches of this kind, although they struggled to impose their usual offensive play.
Nadur opened the score against the run of play on 41 minutes. An effort by Joseph Zammit from a free kick hit Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos who was in a dubious offside position and the ball ended into the net.
Xewkija had a determined reaction after the break and scored the equaliser through a low shot by Damir Andelovic on 57 minutes.
SK Victoria Wanderers failed to take advantage of the Nadur-Xewkija stalemate as they suffered an unexpected 3-2 defeat against Għajnsielem.
The Wanderers opened the score through Emerson Zammit (23) but Għajnsielem had a good reaction and levelled the score on 34 minutes from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Kenneth Mercieca on Godwin Emmanuel, and converted by Luiz Henrique Santana Motta.
The Citizens managed to regain the lead on the stroke of halftime.
A shot by Caique Silvio Souza Da Silva was stopped by the post but the ball hit the back of goalie Luke Buttigieg and crossed the fatal line.
Victoria missed some scoring chances early in the second half and their profligacy came back to haunt them.
The Blacks levelled the score on 78 minutes from another penalty, this time awarded for a foul by Luke Fenech on Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa, which was once again converted by Santana Motta.
Ghajnsielem grew in confidence and scored the winner two minutes later through a spectacular strike from long distance by Bruno Da Cruz that surprised Victoria’s goalkeeper.
Kerċem Ajax also came from behind to beat Qala Saints 3-2.
The Saints looked to be cruising when they surged two goals ahead through Joao Vitor Ferrari Silva (31) and Jordi Parnis (34).
But the Ajax came out determined after the break and recovered the deficit in the opening minutes of the second half with goals scored by Karl Formosa (47) and Emmanuel Peters (51).
The match remained evenly balanced but it was Kerċem who grabbed the winner four minutes from time through Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira.
The other match from Match-Day 2 of the championship between Oratory Youths and Xaghra United ended in a goalless draw so that the two sides earned their first point. In this match, the two sides showed some limitations in attack but they both managed to be organised in their respective defence so that the outcome was a just result.
Qala Saints and Xagħra United played the last 20 minutes of their match, which was suspended due to power failure.
Qala managed to defend the two goals scored in the match before it was suspended to go level on points with three other teams with a win each from two matches.
Challenge Cup
Victoria Hotspurs and Sannat Lions made it two wins out of two to boost their hopes of topping the standings and securing a place in the final.
The Hotspurs secured a hard-earned 2-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs through two late goals scored by Wellington Valentim De Souza (76, 90+5).
On the other hand, Sannat Lions defeated neighbours Munxar Falcons, in a match played at the Gozo Stadium, by the odd goal in three.
Sannat opened the score on 20 minutes through Tristen Agius but Munxar levelled the score on 59 minutes courtesy of a goal scored by Luke Meilak.
Sannat, the winner from a penalty awarded for a foul by Emmanuel Galea on substitute Paul Said, converted through Lucas Silva Gomes on 78 minutes.
In stoppage time, Sannat had Eric Gauci sent off for a foul on Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza.
Żebbuġ Rovers secured a 3-0 win over Għarb Rangers to pick up their first points in the competition.
The Rovers goals came from a Miguel Moreno Ampudia brace, with the first coming from a penalty, and a Stefan Farrugia goal.
NEXT FIXTURES
FRIDAY (Gozo Stadium)
GFA DIVISION ONE
Għajnsielem vs Xewkija T. 19.00
SATURDAY
Challenge Cup (Kerċem)
Żebbug R. vs Munxar F. 15.45
Għarb R. vs Victoria H. 18.00
SUNDAY (Gozo Stadium)
GFA Division One
Kercem Ajax vs Oratory Y. 16.00
Nadur Y, vs Qala Saints 18.00
MONDAY (Gozo Stadium)
GFA Division One
Xagħra vs SK Victoria W. 19.00
