Qala Saints rewrote the club’s history books when they lifted the GFA KO competition for Division One clubs for the first time in their history when they beat Nadur Youngsters 3-2 in the final at the Gozo Stadium last weekend.
For the Saints, this was their first major honour in Gozitan football since season 2007-08.
This triumph in the GFA Cup final will inject more self-belief in the Qala clan as they are currently engaged in a tight fight for the Division One league title where they are sharing top spot with the same Nadur.
Qala enjoyed a strong start to the match and surged into a two-goal lead. Igor Nedeljkovic put them ahead after seven minutes before Lucas Barreto made it 2-0 three minutes from half-time.
The Youngsters increased their efforts after the break and pulled a goal back on 55 minutes through a tap-in by Stefan Cassar who was set up by Joao Vitor.
Nadur should have levelled the match on 67 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a handball infringement but from the spot Barbosa’s effort was saved by Qala goalkeeper Owen Attard.
Despite this setback, the Youngsters did manage to level matters on 78 minutes when Qala defender Joseph Buttigieg, in attempt to block Barbosa, directed the ball into his own net.
Nadur’s joy was shortlived as Qala went on to grab the winner two minutes later.
Lucas Baretto released Nedeljkovic who sped through and lobbed the ball into the net.
At the end of the match, GFA president Samuel Azzopardi presented the trophy and medals to the Qala Saints players and officials.
Hotspurs, Rovers reach final
Victoria Hotspurs are on course to win a third major honour in Gozitan football when they eased past Sannat Lions to reach the Division Two KO final.
The Hotspurs, who are already declared as Division Two champions and have won the Challenge Cup, will meet Żebbuġ Rovers in the final after the latter beat Munxar Falcons 3-1 in the other semi-final.
The clash between the Hotspurs and the Lions brought against each other two teams that battled for the top honours in the second-tier, with Sannat bidding for their first win over Victoria.
Sannat stayed in contention for much of the semi-final but once they conceded the second goal they threw in the towel and the Hotspurs went on to stroll into the final.
The Hotspurs had to wait until the 72nd minute to take the lead through Wellington before Shaun Attard made it 2-0 five minutes from time.
Wellington added a third on 89 minutes before Lucas Farrugia sealed their win with a fourth goal in stoppage time.
Sannat ended the match with ten men when Paul Said was shown a red card for a rash challenge.
Żebbuġ Rovers will be playing the third consecutive final of this competition as they eased past Munxar Falcons 3-1.
Żebbuġ opened a two-goal lead through goals from Harry Paulin (35) and Nathan John Cini (37).
Munxar hit back after the break and re-opened the issue with a goal scored by Vitor Gabriel (67).
But Żebbuġ made sure of the win when they re-established their two-goal lead through Ebube Ralph Okpokwu on 80 minutes.
NEXT FIXTURES
FRIDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA Division One
Għajnsielem vs Oratory Y. 18.00
Kerċem Ajax vs SK Victoria 20.00
SATURDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA Division Two KO final
Żebbug R. vs Victoria H. 16.00
SUNDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Xewkija vs Qala 14.00
Nadur Y. vs Xagħra 16.00
TUESDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA Division Two
Għarb R. vs Żebbuġ R. 18.00
WEDNESDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA Division Two
Munxar F. vs St Lawrence 18.00
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