Next Match
| Another loss for Nadur |
| Saturday, 15 January 2011 15:58 |
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Nadur Youngsters - 0 vs Xewkija Tigers - 1 Xewkija Tigers increased their chances to keep their challenge against relegation with an important win over title contenders Nadur Youngsters. Although the Tigers remain at the bottom of the table this victory boosts their moral for the remaining phase of the championship in their attempt to avoid the relegation. Xewkija’s win was deserved especially when considering that their created much more scoring opportunities than their opponents. Nadur had a disappointing first half and although their improved their performance after the break they were erratic in their last pass and Xewkija’s rearguard managed to control without going through serious risks. The Youngsters must have had an overconfident approach to this delicate encounter and with this result they reduced their chances to clinch the teams at the top of the table. For this match Xewkija had Joseph Cefai, Christian Bugeja and Kiril Dyakov missing due to suspension but gave a debut to Albanian striker Armando Gjepali. On the other hand Nadur, who had Darko Stojanovic missing due to suspension, were expected to re-introduce Brazilian striker Claudio Antunes to replace Wesley De Oliveira who was released by the club, but the former did not get the required clearances in time and was not eligible for this match. Xewkija came out more determined and maintained pressure over Nadur for most of the first half. Nadur’s goalkeeper Steve Sultana distinguished himself on more than one occasion with fine saves to keep a clean sheet. Nadur’s extreme defender had good timing in the 6th minute to block on Armando Gjepali who was entering the area and the same goalkeeper made another good save two minutes later to block a close ranged attempt by Mark Camilleri who was released in the area by Rodney Buttigieg. Nadur replied on 22 minutes through an angled shot by Anthony Portelli following a personal action that just missed the target. One minute later Xewkija were again dangerous through a long ranged shot by John Vella. On 25 minutes Nadur’s goalie Sultana once again denied Gjepali from opening the score when he saved the close ranged attempt into corner and two minutes later the same goalkeeper saved well a low drive by Joseph Azzopardi following a pass by Gjepali. Nadur recovered in the last part of the first period and started to share play with their opponents but in the second minute of stoppage time before half time Xewkija were dangerous through a shot by substitute Clayton Hili that just missed the target. Nadur came out in a better shape after the resumptions and held the initiative of play. However, they were punished in a fast break on 53 minutes when Clayton Hili released Armando Gjepali in Nadur’s territory, goalie Sultana went out of his areas in an attempt to clear the danger but the Albanian striker took advantage of the open space and netted with a low drive. Nadur replied two minutes later through a shot by Josef Buttigieg following a pass by Milos Stojanovic that was neutralised by goalie Jonathan Xuereb. Nadur increased their efforts but Xewkija were well determined to protect their area so that goalie Jonathan Xuereb was not called in action for most of the time. Xewkija on the other hand operated with counter breaks. On 83 minutes Xewkija went again close to scoring but a low shot by Armnando Gjepali was well saved by goalie Steve Sultana. Nadur replied in the following action when Milos Stojanovic entered the area in a personal action, dribbled the goalkeeper but had his shot addressed to an open goal cleared in corner by central defender Andreas Fotso. Through Fotso’s intervention Xewkija’s players increased their efforts and managed to defend their one goal lead until the final whistle.
Sunday 9th January 2011 at 15:00 pm.
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Melita First Division League - Matchday 11
