Nadur Youngsters' dominance of Gozitan football continued in the past few days as the champions added another two honours to their 2002-03 trophy collection. On Sunday, Nadur won the first Noel Vassallo Cup after overcoming Zebbug Rovers on penalties. Three days later, the Gozo champions had the better of Xewkija Tigers in the final of the Bank of Valletta Super Cup. The season in Gozo comes to an end this weekend when the final of the GFA Cup between Nadur Youngsters and Ghajnsielem is played.
Nadur Youngsters 2
Zebbug Rovers 2
(Nadur won 8-7 on penalties)
Champions Nadur Youngsters and Zebbug Rovers produced one of the most exciting matches this season in the final of the Noel Vassallo Cup.
Both sides were motivated to land this honour. The champions are gunning to collect the remaining three honours of the season while the Rovers were aiming to end a highly positive season by winning this prestigious competition.
Nadur enjoyed an edge over their opponents for most of the match but squandered a two-goal lead due to over-confidence and had to survive a test of nerves in a tense penalty shoot-out before they finally clinched the N. Vassallo Cup.
The Youngsters went close to scoring early on through shots by Chris Camilleri and Mark Buttigieg. They opened their account in the 22nd minute with a header by Edoardo do Nascimento, Bizu. Five minutes later they increased their lead, Chris Camilleri finishing off a fast break initiated by Bizu.
Zebbug came more into the pictured as the end of the first half approached. Nadur goalkeeper Vella was called to make a difficult save from a shot by Cardona. A header by Egere ended just wide.
Six minutes into the second half, the Rovers were reduced to ten players when Touali Mahjoub was sent for an early shower for a foul on Muscat.
Three minutes later, Zebbug's goalkeeper kept his side in the match with a fine save from a header by Buttigieg. In the 65th minute, the Rovers reopened the issue when Silvan Galea pounced on a bad clearance and beat Vella with an angled shot.
Two minutes later, Zebbug had substitute Mario Calleja dismissed for retaliation. Despite playing with nine players, the Rovers refused to throw in the towel with Silvan Galea threatening to level matters had his effort not hit the crossbar. However, Galea obtained an equaliser for Zebbug in the 75th minute with an excellent drive that surprised goalie Vella.
The game became much more interesting and during stoppage time, Zebbug's goalkeeper Xuereb pulled off a fine save to deny Bizu scoring a dramatic goal.
After five minutes of extra-time, Nadur were reduced to ten players when substitute Peter Buttigieg was given his marching orders. Moments later Zebbug custodian Xuereb saved with difficulty a good shot by Anthony Portelli.
However, it was Zebbug who had the best scoring opportunity to strike the golden goal in the 111th minute when Silvan Galea ran clear into the penalty area but saw his low drive shaving the post.
The match had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out. Nadur scored six penalties through Mario Bonello, Bizu, Anthony Portelli, Saviour Farrugia, Brain Portelli and Kevin Vella.
Zebbug scored five times from the spot - Joseph Cordina, Mario Azzopardi, Silvan Galea, Jonathan Xuereb and Reuben Galea. After the match, Nadur's captain Mario Bonello was presented with the trophy amidst the celebrations of his team's fans.
Referee: Carmel Attard.
BoV Super Cup final
Nadur Youngsters 2
Xewkija Tigers 1
The second final in four days - the BoV Super Cup - turned out to be another interesting affair as champions Nadur Youngsters and Xewkija Tigers gave their all to win this honour.
Their determination to clinch the Super Cup also made for a tense encounter that produced four red cards, two on each side.
Xewkija had qualified for the final of this competition by eliminating Ghajnsielem 3-1, turning defeat into a victory with goals by Mark Camilleri, Sabri Rais and Jeffrey Farrugia. Aloysius Ihbeulu had opened the score for the Blacks.
A solitary goal by Brazilian striker Bizu enabled Nadur Youngsters to see off Zebbug Rovers in the semi-final.
The Tigers made an excellent start to the final, taking only seven minutes to forge ahead thanks to Christian Bugeja following a free-kick by Rais.
Nadur staged a good reaction but Xewkija goalkeeper Debono was in vintage form as he saved efforts by Anthony Portelli and Bizu.
The Youngsters were back on level terms in the 48th minute thanks to a well-taken free-kick by Chris Camilleri. Two minutes later, Nadur were reduced to ten men when Emmanuel Muscat was shown a second yellow card. Despite this setback, the champions maintained their momentum and turned the result in their favour.
Bizu finished off a fine personal move in the 54th minute to put Nadur in the driving seat.
Xewkija came back at their opponents in their bid to redress the imbalance but Jeffrey Farrugia missed a golden opportunity in the 63rd minute.
Nadur had a second player sent off in the 71st minute when Camilleri committed his second bookable offence. Four minutes later, referee Anton Zammit produced his third red card to dismiss Xewkija's Bugeja for his second bookable offence.
Xewkija mounted some pressure in their attempt to force extra-time but they failed to make the most of the scoring opportunities that came to Jeffrey Farrugia and Mark Camilleri. A header by Eric Saliba was cleared off the line by Sam Anthony Cauchi.
One minute from time, numerical equality was restored when Xewkija's Jason Portelli was given his marching orders for dissent.
Nadur's Anthony Portelli may have added another goal for his side during stoppage time but his drive hit the post.
After the end of the match, Nadur's Emmanuel Muscat received the BoV Super Cup trophy from GFA officials.
Referee: Anton Zammit.