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Brazilians power
Blacks
September
24
Ghajnsielem came from behind to record a vital 4-2 over Xewkija Tigers in
their second league match of the season. The Brazilian duo of Leandro
Blanco de Castro and Fernando Deandrade accounted for all the goals, with
the latter scoring a second half hat-trick.
Hard luck losers
September
22
Ghajnsielem's valiant bid to reclaim the Independence Cup failed after an
0-2 loss to Nadur Y. The Blacks put Nadur under great pressure after they
had fallen a goal down but a combination of factors conspired to deny them
a deserved equalizer. Ghajnsielem, who were reduced to 10-men after the
harsh dismissal of Frank Buttigieg, suffered the second goal deep in
injury time.
Opportunity lost
September
17
Ghajnsielem
missed a good opportunity to start the league campaign on a winning note
when they failed to convert on a handful of chances against a Xaghra
United still short of its best form. The match ended 0-0. Fernando
Deandrade came closest when his glancing back header came back off the par
post, late in the first half. In the weekend's other first division
matches Qala S.J. beat
Xewkija T. 2-1 and Sannat L. surprised Nadur Y. 4-3.
Ghajnsielem spot on
September
10
Ghajnsielem are through to the final of the Independence Cup after they
beat Kercem Ajax 5-3 on penalties. The match ended score-less after
extra-time. Goalkeeper Victor Agius stood out with two penalty saves: one
in extra-time and the other in the penalty shoot-out. Fernando Deandrade,
Frank Buttigieg, Larry Buttigieg, Leandro Blanco de Castro and Joseph
Attard were all successful from the penalty spot. Mario Azzopardi, Jason
Porteli and Mario Cutajar scored for Kercem. Ghajnsielem will play Nadur
in the final. The Youngsters eliminated Qala S.J. 2-0 in the other
semi-final. Lineup: Victor Agius, David Debattista (Miguel Refalo),
Frank Buttigieg (captain), Charles Mercieca, Joseph Buttigieg, Leandro Blanco
de Castro, Jeremy Camilleri, Joseph Attard, Fernando
Deandrade, Larry Buttigieg, Darren Azzopardi (Franklee Galea). Substitutes
not used: Joseph Grech, Ryan Grima, Stefan Azzopardi.
Blacks off to winning start
September
3
Led by player-coach Leandro Blanco de Castro, Ghajnsielem
made a winning start to the new season by beating Sannat Lions 2-1 in an
Independence Cup quarter-final tie. Victor Agius, Charles Mercieca, de Castro, a second Brazilian Fernando Deandrade and David Debattista made
their debut for the Blacks. Darren Azzopardi made his first full start for
Ghajnsielem. Jeremy Camilleri was back in the side after a long absence.
Frank Buttigieg started his first match as the new team captain. Deandrade
marked his debut with a headed goal after 10 minutes from a Larry
Buttigieg corner. Buttigieg nearly added to the score but his cross-shot
scraped the bar. Just past the half-hour mark Ghajnsielem scored their
second. A Joseph Attard corner was headed on by Deandrade and Charles
Mercieca headed home past Paul Galea. The contest was thrown wide open
when Mark Formosa pulled one back for Sannat soon after the restart.
Ghajnsielem held on to make it to the semi-final where they will play
Kercem Ajax. Lineup: Victor Agius, David Debattista (Stefan Azzopardi),
Frank Buttigieg (captain), Charles Mercieca, Joseph Buttigieg (yellow
card), Leandro Blanco de Castro, Jeremy Camilleri, Joseph Attard, Fernando
Deandrade, Larry Buttigieg, Darren Azzopardi (Roderick Apap). Substitutes
not used: Joseph Grech, Ryan Grima, Miguel Refalo. In the other
Independence Cup ties Nadur Youngsters beat Xewkija Tigers 3-0 and Qala
St. Joseph edged Xaghra United 4-3. The winners will play each other in
the second semi-final of this competition.
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