Gozo Stadium 16.09.07

 

Champions Nadur Youngsters started their defence of the title with a good result against neighbours Qala St. Joseph. The match had a scrappy first half, in which no team really played football. Qala came out prepared to defend in full and while much more was expected of the Champions, the Maroons could not get their act together even with the Whites in disarray in the first half. Nadur had Jeffrey Meilak missing due to injury while Qala had Brian Portelli missing due to suspension.

 

With both sides cautious not to make the first mistake, play was more in the centre field during the first half and both goalkeepers had a very relaxing half. Nadur were playing more on the individual side then as a team and this was allowing Qala to keep them away from their danger area. No real opportunities on goal, except a try by F. P. Azzopardi for Nadur who after receiving from C. E. Nwankwo concluded high. On the other side, a D. Lautier’s cross failed to reach P. Said. D. Lautier’s contact with M. Secco left the latter injured and had to be substituted before half time. Nadur appealed for a penalty when a cross by Nwankwo and A. Portelli was brought down in the area before he could get the ball, with the referee in a perfect position and waved play on. A cross by C. Attard to A. Fotso, but the latter’s shot went way out of target.

 

What ever coach m. Bonello told his players at half time really worked as Nadur came out looking as a different team. They started to play the ball more often. A cross from the right by Nwankwo crossed the whole width of the posts and J. M. Portelli didn’t make contact. Aktpan did well to came out in time to clear off J. M. Portelli. Nwankwo missed a good opportunity for Nadur when he concluded well over the bar from a very favourable position. This was the prelude of the goal as Nadur were now playing with composure and Qala were in complete disarray. On the 59^th minute, A. Portelli insisted on the ball on the right, won it, and crossed to find Chidi Eric Nwankwo in the exact position to head home into an empty net. Once behind Qalam opted to go forward with the hope of getting something out of the match, but the Champions were in command and Aktpan cleared the ball off C. Camilleri from a J. M. Portelli’s cross. Nadur increased their lead on the 63^rd minute J. M. Portelli’s cross to Frank Paul Azzopardi who found the back of the net with a perfect shot right into the bottom corner. Xuereb saved easily from an A. Fotso’s header following a corner action. C. Camilleri’s cross was met by J. M. Portelli, but his shot just missed the upright. Nadur kept their composure and made sure of the 3 points in the 79^th minute. This was perhaps the best goal of the match. A personal action by Chidi Eric Nwankwo, who beat 2 defenders, rounded the goalkeeper and placed into the open net with a fierce shot. Soon after a nice action between substitute S. Muscat, C. E. Nwankwo and C. Camilleri ended with the latter’s shot just wide. This was Nadur’s first victory in the opening match of the League for 5 seasons, with their last victory way back in the season 2001-02. Since then they managed a draw and 4 defeats in the opening match.

 

These sides will face each other again next Friday, 21^st September when they play the Independence Cup Final.

 

Referee: Mario Apap