Xewkija Tigers 2
Għajnsielem 3
(aet – 90 mins: 2-2)
The football season in Gozo produced a dramatic finale last Sunday with the Division One championship decider between Għajnsielem and Xewkija Tigers, a clash that drew probably the largest crowd ever for a football game on the sister island.
In the end, Għajnsielem were declared winners of the 66th championship, the seventh title in their club history, following a 3-2 extra-time win over Xewkija.
This clash, contested by the two main challengers this season, lived up to expectations.
The two sides produced attacking football, five goals and three red cards with the Blacks’ winner, scored by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, coming very late in extra-time.
For the very first time, a league game in Gozo was controlled by six match officials and this added to the prestige of the event, which coincided with the 80th anniversary of the Gozo FA.
Għajnsielem’s title triumph was deserved as they led the standings throughout the campaign. They showed character in Sunday’s match, scoring the goal that mattered when playing with nine men.
The Blacks had Mark Muscat and assistant coach Victor Caruana missing due to suspension but former Malta international David Carabott was back to lead the side from the bench.
Xewkija, at full strength, came into this match on a high after two consecutive wins over Għajnsielem that also yielded them the KO title the week before.
Għajnsielem held territorial supremacy right from the kick-off. They opened the scoring through a close-range shot by player-coach Shaun Bajada who received from Dhonatan Santos Da Hora.
Xewkija’s reaction never materialised and the Blacks doubled their lead six minutes after the restart through Joseph Vella who was released by Santos Da Hora before chipping the ball over the keeper’s head.
At this juncture, Għajnsielem looked on their way to a comfortable win but Xewkija never wilted under the pressure.
On 79 minutes, Daniel Bogdanovic was floored in the box by Ferdinando Apap and the referee awarded the Tigers a penalty.
Chris Camilleri converted from the spot to re-open the issue.
Before play restarted, the two teams had a player sent off as Xewkija’s Joseph Cefai and Għajnsielem keeper Franklin Vella were dismissed for fighting as the two went to pick the ball from the Blacks’ net.
Għajnsielem suffered most from the two dismissals and on 81 minutes they lost another player as Charlie Hili saw red for a foul in midfield on Cedric Sciberras.
Xewkija profited from the situation and put pressure on Għajnsielem in search of an equaliser which arrived on 86 minutes when Bogdanovic hit home from inside the box.
Xewkija almost completed their comeback in stoppage time but Rodney Buttigieg hit badly from an ideal position.
Għajnsielem were left with no option but to try and retain possession and keep Xewkija away from their half as much as they could.
Mifsud Triganza and Milos Stojanovic had good chances to put the Blacks ahead.
On 115 minutes, Bajada did well to put Mifsud Triganza through after a counter break and the on-loan Valletta striker took his chance well, beating the onrushing Tigers keeper for a dramatic winner.
Xewkija: S. Sultana, R. Buttigieg (J. Attard 111), J. Vella, M. Xerri (J. Portelli 62), J. Cefai, C. Sciberras, D. Bogdanovic, C. Camilleri, D. Shields, T. Melo Dos Santos, J. Camilleri (G. Hili 46).
Għajnsielem: F. Vella, F. Apap, S. Sultana, C. Hili, D. Santos Da Hora (L Buttigieg 75), Y. Ossok, S. Bajada, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (K. Hili 120), J. Vella (M. Portelli 71), M. Stojanovic, K. Mercieca.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit.
Yellow cards: R. Buttigieg, D. Shields, J. Cefai, C. Hili, F. Apap, J.P. Mifsud Triganza.
Red cards: Cefai (X) 75, F. Vella (GĦ) 75, C. Hili (GĦ) 81.