Plucky Qala win first major honour
Għajnsielem 2Qala St Joseph 2(Qala win 5-4 on penalties) Qala St Joseph won the GFA Cup for the first time in their history after beating Għajnsielem 5-4 on penalties in the final following a 2-2 draw at the end of extra-time. The final of the 35th...
Għajnsielem 2
Qala St Joseph 2
(Qala win 5-4 on penalties)
Qala St Joseph won the GFA Cup for the first time in their history after beating Għajnsielem 5-4 on penalties in the final following a 2-2 draw at the end of extra-time.
The final of the 35th edition of the second most important competition in Gozitan football was keenly-contested and produced some exciting moments.
Qala's determination was key to their cup triumph as the Saints hit a late equaliser to force extra-time and then took the match to a penalty shoot-out with another last-gasp goal.
Għajnsielem were the more dangerous side during the 90 minutes with Dominic Okanu and John Camilleri keeping the Qala defenders on constant alert.
On the other hand, the Maroons were well-organised and put in a collective effort to inscribe their name on the cup for the first time ever.
Għajnsielem opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Okanu scored from the penalty spot. The Blacks were punished for a spate of missed chances when the Saints levelled the score in the dying moments with a goal by Andreas Fotso.
The Blacks regained the lead six minutes into the second half of extra-time thanks to Okanu but four minutes later, Għajnsielem's hopes of hanging on to their slim lead suffered a blow when Charles Mercieca was sent off for a second caution.
The Saints took advantage of their numerical superiority as Glenn Cefai made it 2-2 two minutes before the end of extra-time after pouncing on a clearance by the Għajnsielem defence.
In the shoot-out, Qala scored all five of their penalties through Mario Mifsud, Manuel Cordina, Mark Bonello, Fotso and Joe Xerri.
Josef Buttigieg, Okanu, Cremona and Tovares made no mistake from the spot but Għajsnielem's hopes were dashed when Brian Meilak's penalty kick was saved by Qala goalkeeper Initim Aktpan.
Għajnsielem
V. Agius, D. Debattista, B. Meilak, J. Buttigieg, M. Cremona, C. Mercieca, F.L. Galea (S. Azzopardi), J. Camilleri (C. Tabone), J. Camilleri, D. Okanu, V. Tovares.
Qala
I. Aktpan, A. Fotso, G. Cefai, P. Camilleri, D. Abela (C. Portelli), P. Said (B. Portelli), M. Mifsud, J. Xerri, D. Lautier, M. Cordina, M. Bonello.
Referee: Paul Apap.
Scorers: Okanu 38, 111; Fotso 90; Cefai 118.
Red card: Mercieca (Għ) 115.