SK Victoria Wanderers and Xaghra United booked their place in the GFA First Division Knock-Out final over the weekend, marking their first-ever appearance in this stage of the tournament.
In the first semi-final, SK Victoria Wanderers emerged victorious with a 3-2 win over Xewkija Tigers after extra time.
The first half turned out to be a cautious affair, with neither side creating significant scoring opportunities. Play intensified in the second half, with Xewkija taking the lead on 59 minutes through Joshua Buttigieg.
However, the Tigers’ hopes suffered a blow on 67 minutes when Xewkija defender Carlo Abela was shown a red card for a rough challenge on Matthias Cordina, to concede a penalty.
SK Victoria’s Igor Henrique stepped up to convert from the spot and levelling the match.
The Wanderers took advantage of their numerical advantage when on 78 minutes Igor Henrique capitalised on a goalkeeping error to grab his second of the match.
Xewkija showed resilience and equalised in injury time through substitute Julian Farrugia and force extra time.
Extra time was an evenly-matched affair, with both sides creating chances but failing to capitalise.
When it looked as though the match seemed to be heading to a penalty shoot-out, Henrique struck again in the sixth minute of added time, to seal his team’s win.
Xagħra United booked their place in the Knock-Out final with a narrow 1-0 victory over Nadur Youngsters.
The decisive moment of the cup-tie came on 14 minutes when Lucas Farruga scored the only goal of the match.
Despite their efforts, Nadur, who have shown improvement in recent matches following a disappointing start to the season, were unable to convert a number of scoring opportunities.
The match became increasingly tense, with both teams reduced to 10 men.
Nadur’s Gabriel Farrugia was sent off on 55 minutes for a foul in midfield, while Xagħra’s Johan Castano received a red card in the third minute of added time for elbowing an opponent.
Munxar Falcons secured a vital 2-0 victory over Sannat Lions, to move up to second in the Division Two standings.
Munxar’s win was sealed in the first half with two goals from Arruda Aroldo Da Silva on 19 and 28 minutes.
Sannat attempted to mount a comeback and were awarded a penalty on 70 minutes. But Carl Gauci’s shot was saved by Munxar goalkeeper Joel Micallef.
NEXT FIXTURES
FRIDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Qala Saints vs Xagħra 19.00
SATURDAY – KERĊEM
GFA DIVISION TWO
Sannat L. vs St Lawrence 12.45
Żebbuġ vs Munxar Falcons 15.00
Kerċem Ajax vs Għarb 17.00
SUNDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Nadur vs Oratory 13.00
Xewkija vs SK Victoria W. 15.00
