Nadur, Xewkija reach GFA First Division Knock-Out final

Nadur Youngsters and Xewkija Tigers will be contesting the final of the GFA First Division Knock-Out after both emerged as winners in the two semi-finals at the Gozo Stadium on Wednesday.

Xewkija defeated Ghajnsielem 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at the end of extra-time. Darko Krstic put Xewkija ahead on the 18th minute but three minutes later, Luis Andre De Melo Lima levelled matters. Xewkija regained the lead on the 45th thanks to Christian Bugeja but Kenneth Mercieca equalised on the 70th. With no goals being scored in extra-time, the penalty shoot-out had to decide the issue.

Kenneth Mercieca, Luis Andre de Melo Lima and Damon Hili scored for Ghajnsielem with Dylan Mercieca and Alberto Xuereb’s penalties being saved by the Xewkija goalkeeper. For Xewkija, Michael Camilleri, Darko Krstic, Sergio Arturo Martinez Villa and Daniel Bogdanovic scored with Claudio Antunes’ penalty being saved by the goalkeeper.

In the other semi-final, Nadur Youngsters had to wait until extra-time to beat SK Victoria Wanderers 4-2. Audgustine James Obaje put the Wanderers ahead on the 19th but Shaun Attard equalised on the 57th. Predrag Djordjevic restored the lead on the 72nd when he converted a penalty but although they had a player sent off, Nadur levelled matters through Shaun Attard three minutes from time. In extra-time, Marcelo Barbosa scored twice for Nadur on the 104th minute and the 119th.

Meanwhile in the BOV Gozo Football League Second Division, leaders Sannat Lions suffered a shock 1-2 defeat to Zebbug Rovers at the Gozo Stadium on Tuesday. Lucas Farrugia put Zebbug ahead on the 31st and Marcos Peres Vega doubled the score on the 43rd. Joseph Zammit pulled one back on the 90th.

Xaghra United moved three points clear, although Sannat have a game in hand, thanks to a 2-1 win over Oratory Youths. Joseph George Vella put Xaghra ahead just before the end of the first half and although Luis Claudio Carvalho Da Silva equalised on the 65th, Matthias Michael Uzor restored the lead on the 76th.