GFA Cup Final

Nadur Youngsters - 1 vs Sannat Lions - 0

 - by Saviour Attard

Nadur Youngsters won the GFA Cup final on Sunday against Sannat Lions thanks to a last minute goal by Claudio Antunes. The Cup victory which is the first in three years highlights a positive season for the Whites who will now take on the Lions again tonight for the Super Cup in the final match of the season.

Following a disappointing third position in the league the team was determined to not end the season empty-handed. The Whites arrived to the final in style as with two 6-0 victories over Gharb Rangers and SK Victoria Wanderes and a 3-1 triumph over Victoria Hotspurs. The match against the Lions provided Nadur a good chance to get some revenge over the lions who were crowned champions.

The Whites had a good start as Antunes missed a good opportunity early on when he concluded wide from a good position. The same Brazilian striker was unlucky after 17 minutes of play as his long range free-kick hit the crossbar. On the half hour mark Steve Sultana denied Chris Camilleri from the opening goal with a brilliant finger tip safe that also hit the foot of the post before going out.

Early in the second half Nadur lost a golden opportunity of gaining the lead as Antunes concluded high over the bar with the keeper out of goal. Sannat nearly punished their opponents few moments later when Eric Nkwankwo hit the side of the net with a close range shot. Sultana was again to Nadur’s rescue on the hour mark as he punched in corner a shot by Jonny Camilleri. Nadur scored the winning goal on the 90^th minute when Antunes fired a low shot that gave no chance to Parnis. It was too little too late for the Champions who had no time to react and Nadur Claimed the GFA Cup for the first time in six years.

After the match GFA President Alvin Grech awarded the trophy to Nadur’s Captain Anthony Portelli. Nadur will play Sannat again tonight for the Super Cup Final at 7.30pm , a match that will be streamed live on Melita Sports.

Sunday 8th May 2011 at 16:00 pm.
Referee: Mohammed Khalid.
Scorers: Claudio Antunes 90’ (N).
Nadur Formation: Steve Sultana, Ryan Meilaq, Darko Stojanovic, John Paul Grima, Saviour Attard, Christian Debono, Milos Stojanovic, Charles Hili, Josef Buttigieg, Anthony Portelli, Claudio Antunes.
Coach: Frank Muscat