SUPER CUP FINAL

NADUR YOUNGSTERS -0- QALA St. JOSEPH -3-

Gozo Stadium 08.05.08

Nadur Youngsters were truly beaten by a resilient Qala St. Joseph, in this last match of the season, the Super Cup Final. The Maroons, fresh from their first ever major honour, only 2 days ago won the Gozo F.A. Cup, controlled the Champions for most of the match and took the chances that came their way very well especially in the last 17 minutes). Nadur on their part were reluctant and lacked the teamwork and determination needed in cup ties. This was Qala’s 3^rd Major Final, winning 2, while it was Nadur’s 65^th Final (including 4 replays), winning 35. Nadur scored 99 goals in the process and conceded 97.

The pattern of play was very much like the Independence Cup Final between these 2 sides. Qala with their man to man marking didn’t leave much space for Nadur to impose their play. When in possession Nadur’s passing of the ball was rather careless. Both sides missed vital players in their respective side, Joseph M. Portelli and Dejan Odavic for Nadur and Peter Said and Charlie Attard for Qala. Nadur were unlucky when a free kick by A. Simoncic hit the woodwork in the nearly stages. Qala cleared with some difficulty another free kick, this time by C. Camilleri. A cross by Simoncic was headed towards goal by S. Attard, but was also deflected away from Aktpan by D. Abela. Qala had a nice try by M. Mifsud saved by Xuereb. Soon after a coral action between Mifsud and M. Cordina ended with the latter hitting high from a favourable position. Nadur went close ones more, but c. Hili hit wide a cross by Simoncic. M. Cordina replied for Qala with a nice try that ended a bit high.

Nadur were expected to came out better in the second half and C. E. Nwankwo saw Aktpan saving well his lob when from just inside the area. Qala were getting more into the match as time was passing with the overconfident Nadur missing easy passes and interceptions. D. Lautier missed by a few inches and soon after a nice volley by J. Xerri was stopped by the crossbar with Xuereb beaten. Nadur tried to push forward and a J. Buttigieg shot was saved without problems by Aktpan. Aktpan did the same on tries by C. Hili and later on stopped an effort by M. R. Secco. On the 73^rd minute the inevitable happened. A vital mistake by C. Camilleri allowed M. Bonello to cross to D. Lautier whose header was punched by Xuereb into the unmarked Manuel Cordina who had no difficulty firing the ball into the net. There was practically no reaction by Nadur, as Qala were now controlling well and themselves looking to kill the match with a second goal. D. Lautier saw his good effort ending just over, but on the 83^rd minute the same Dione Lautier did find the Youngsters net with a low shot following a cross by J. Xerri. With the Qala fans in delirious mood, Dione Lautier sealed the issue with his second goal in 5 minutes when Xuereb save a shot by D. Abela and Lautier placed the rebound into an empty net. The final whistle of the referee, A. Azzopardi, was welcomed by the Qala Clan as they ended with the second honour this season (The Gozo FA Cup and the Super Cup), their best ever so far. Nadur won the League Title and the Independence Cup with the last honour, the ‘Jum il-Ħelsien’ Cup going to Victoria Hotspurs.

After the match, Mr Jack Theuma BOV Manger for Gozo, in the presence of Joe Cordina and Alvin Grech, president and Secretary of the GFA presented the trophies to A. Portelli, Nadur’s Captain and to Joe Xerri, Qala’s captain.