ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

QALA ST JOSEPH MAINTAIN THEIR DIVISION I STATUS WITH A CLOSE WIN

V Galea; F Camilleri; J Mercieca; M Tabone; M Vella  (H Grech); E Hussain (A Buttigieg); FL Adilson; M Azzopardi ; JP Mizzi ; G Conti (J Debrincat); M Stojanovic.

I Aktpan, A Fotso; G Cefai; P Camilleri; M Bonello; D Abela; M Mifsud (C Attard); J Xerri; D Lautier; M Cordina; P Said.

          Qala St Joseph obtained a close victory in their match against Kercem Ajax and with the points obtained they made sure of maintaining their Division I status next season.  This last match of the championship for the two sides had to determine which of the two teams would end up at the second place from the bottom and therefore will face a risky relegation/promotion play-off with the runners-up of the lower category.  Kercem needed a victory to go ahead of the same Qala on the table, while the Saints were certain of defending their status with at least a point from this match.  The match was well contested but overall Qala’s victory was deserved, especially in view of their performance after the break.

Kercem came out more aggressive and tried to produce pressure over their opponents from the very beginning.  However, the maroons had a golden opportunity to open the score in the 6^th minute.  The referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Eman Hussain on Manuel Cordina but Mario Mifsud’s shot from the spot kick was saved by goalie Victor Saliba.  Kercem went a moment of disorientation and two minutes later Dione Lautier released Joe Xerri in the area but the latter’s shot ended over the crossbar. 

However, in the 11^th minute the Ajax went very close to open the score.  Qala’s rearguard failed to clear a corner action and from the resultant melee Malcolm Vella shot was blocked on the fatal line by Peter Said.  In the 20^th minute Qala’s Dione Lautier had a good strike that missed the target and Kercem replied two minutes later with a cross-shot that ended just high.  As time passed by play took place mainly at the midfield and before half time the two sides could have opened the score.  In the 32^nd minute a long ranged free kick by Manuel Tabone was saved by goalie Inim Aktpan and one minute later Kercem’s Milos Stojanovic had a shot from the edge of the area that ended inches high.

On the resumption the maroons gained some superiority over their opponents.  In the 51^st minute Qala’s Manuel Cordina entered the area with a solo action, dribbled two defenders but had his shot from a good position that ended on the side of the net.  The same Cordina once again passed through Kercem’s rearguard with a personal action in the 57^th minute but his shot was weak and goalie Victor Galea saved without much difficulty.  Kercem young goalie was well placed in the 61^st minute to save a free kick by Joe Xerri.  One minute later Kercem’s Franklin Adilson produced a fast break but Gothard Conti and Milos Stojanovic failed to connect and Conti’s final effort was weak and Aktpan saved the danger.  Kercem’s hopes to win this match practically ended in the 73^rd minute.  Dione Lautier won a ball between two defenders at the edge of Kercem’s area, released himself with a fine move and placed in goal with a fine strike.  Kercem’s reaction was sterile and Qala defended their one-goal lead without difficulty.  In the 88^th minute Kercem also ended with ten players when Frankie Camilleri was sent off for a second yellow card.  Th e maroons could have sealed the issue in the dying moments.  In the 89^th minute a effort by Manuel Cordina was partially saved by goalie Victor Galea and Eman Hussain cleared the danger off the fatal line and in the first minute of stoppage time a shot by Joe Xerri just missed the target.

Referee: Clayton Pisani

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY