One of the most exciting championships in Gozitan football in recent years came to an end during the past weekend with the last four matches of the campaign that determined the final standings.
Joint-leaders Qala Saints were surprisingly held to a draw while Nadur Youngsters clinched the three points so the latter were crowned champions for the third successive season.
For the Youngsters, this was their 15th title to consolidate their status as the club that won the most championships in Gozitan football.
At the other end of the standings, Oratory Youths and Xagħra United obtained the result they needed to secure their first-division status, while Għajnsielem and Kerċem Ajax ended in the last two places.
Kerċem were relegated while Għajnsielem will play the Relegation /Promotion Play-Off against Division Two runners-up Sannat Lions.
Qala Saints could not go beyond a goalless draw against Oratory Youths to miss out on the title.
The match lived up to its expectations as Qala tried hard to achieve their goal but Oratory were defensively organised and often threatened Qala’s rearguard with swift breaks.
Qala dominated the match during the first hour of play but were erratic in front of goal.
To make matters worse, they ended the match with ten men when Lucas Baretto Da Silva was sent off for throwing the ball at an opponent.
Nadur Youngsters then took full advantage of Qala’s slip-up as they cruised past SK Victoria Wanderers 4-0 win to win the title.
Nadur took command early on against the Wanderers, who were already assured of third place in the standings.
They took the lead through Stefan Cassar on 19 minutes and then made it 2-0 through a penalty scored by Marcelo Barbosa after 40 minutes. With this goal, the Brazilian ended as the top scorer with 21 goals.
Cassar kickstarted Nadur’s celebrations when adding a third on 69 minutes before they wrapped up a win with a fourth from substitute Joseph Xerri.
After the match, GFA president Dr Samuel Azzopardi presented the trophy and medals to the Nadur Youngsters players and officials.
Xagħra United moved away from the red zone and retained their first-division status with a 2-1 win over Xewkija Tigers. With this result, Xewkija remained in fourth place.
Xagħra were the better side during the first half and surged into a two-goal lead through Fabian John Xuereb’s fifth-minute goal and Owen Fenech who added another on 42 minutes.
The Tigers tried to hit back after the break but only managed to pull one back through Denzil Bugeja (64) as Xagħra remained well-organised and defended their lead until the final whistle.
The direct clash from the relegation zone between Għajnsielem and Kerċem Ajax ended in a 1-1 draw to condemn the Ajax to relegation.
Kerċem created more chances than their opponents and were denied from scoring on more than one occasion by the woodwork and Għajnsielem goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg.
The Ajax were ahead on 18 minutes through Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes. But they were punished for the missed chances as Għajnsielem levelled the score on 84 minutes through a spectacular strike by Claudio Henrique Barbosa.
Division Two
Division Two champions Victoria Hotspurs registered a 4-0 win over Munxar Falcons in the last match of the campaign.
The Hotspurs dominated this match and obtained the win through goals by Lucas Farrugia, Wellington, Shaun Attard and Lorenzo Atzori. Wellington ended as the top scorer with 22 goals.
At the end of the match, Victoria Hotspurs were presented with the medals and trophy by GFA president Azzopardi.
Sannat Lions made up for some disappointing results when they beat Żebbuġ Rovers 3-1.
The Lions will now have a possibility to obtain promotion through a playoff against Għajnsielem. The former took a two-goal lead through a brace by Boubacar Kanta.
But Żebbuġ reduced the gap with a goal scored by Daniel Mesa Pineros.
However, Sannat replied immediately and regained their comfortable lead before halftime through James William Meilak.
Żebbuġ ended up playing win ten men when Pierre Paul Camilleri was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Nadur, Qala to contest the GFA Cup final
Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints will be facing each other on Sunday in the BOV KO final.
Nadur Youngsters obtained a 1-0 win over Xewkija Tigers in the first semifinal.
The decisive goal of the match arrived on 56 minutes, from a penalty awarded for a foul on Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio, and converted by Marcelo Pereira Muniz. They held territorial supremacy but Xewkija remained in contention for long stretches and were also close to scoring but an effort by Brian Parada hit the bar.
Qala Saints made up for the disappointment of missing out on the title after defeating SK Victoria Wanderers 2-0 win in the other semifinal.
Qala scored their two goals during the first half through Lucas Mattheis Dis Santos and Christian Mercieca.
The Wanderers had Gabriel Farrugia sent off on 89 minutes for a second bookable offence.
GFA PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAYOFF
PLAYING ON FRIDAY
Ghajnsielem vs Sannat L. 19.00
BOV GFA CUP FINAL
PLAYING ON SUNDAY
Nadur Y. vs Qala S. 16.00
World Cup News
