A goal by Joseph Chetcuti early in the second half enabled Qormi to beat Naxxar Lions in the first game at the National Stadium.
Chetcuti was making his return with the club after spending last season on loan with Kercem Ajax in Gozo. Qormi had Mauricio Mazzetti, Anderson Santos, Zoran Levnaic and Frank Temile making their debut while Andrew Scicluna, David Fenech, Terence Vella, Emenike Mbachu and Sidney da Silva were making their first appearance for Naxxar.
Qormi held the initiative in the early stages but Naxxar had the first real scoring opportunity on the 25th when off a cross by Terence Vella, Emenike Mbachu failed to connect and Gilmar hit incredibly high. Six minutes later, Vella missed a good chance off an inviting cross by Mbachu. Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia blocked a Pablo Doffo freekick two minutes from the end of the first half.
Three minutes in the second half, Qormi broke the deadlock when Alfred Effiong released Joseph Chetcuti on the left and the latter managed to avoid the goalkeeper, placing the ball at the back of the net.
Alfred Effiong went close once again on 53 minutes but Julian Azzopardi neutralised his attempt. Five minutes later, Temile just failed to connect off a cross by Chetcuti from the left.
On the 84th, Effiong was the provider with a cross from the right with Joseph Chetcuti hitting high. Naxxar replied with an Emenike Mbachu effort which just missed the target.
QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Jonathan Bondin, Mauricio Matias Mazzetti, Emerson Vella, Duncan Pisani, Steve Agius (72′ Roderick Sammut), Joseph Chetcuti (85′ Bjorn Bondin), Anderson Michael Quatrochi Santos, Zoran Levnaic, Alfred Effiong, Frank Temile (90′ Pietro Viggiani).
Subs not used: Steve Baldacchino, Alessio Cassar, Carmelo Farrugia, Ryan Micallef.
Coach: Josef MansuetoNAXXAR Julian Azzopardi, Angus Buhagiar, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, Pablo Doffo, Emenike Uchenna Mbachy, Daren Falzon (76′ Duane Bonnici), David Fenech, Sidney Fraga Nery da Silva (46′ Jurgen Debono), David Alejandro Reano, Andrew Scicluna, Terence Vella.
Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Ryan Gilmour Cassar, Mattia Del Negro, Ryan Mercieca, Yaron Sammut.
Coach: Winston MuscatReferee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, David Castillo
Fourth Official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: D. Pisani, E. Vella, J. Chetcuti, Anderson Santos, Gilmar
Scorers: 48′ Joseph Chetcuti
BOV Player of the Match: Alfred Effiong