vs
2	-	1
3'. 31' John Camilleri

Date	Wednesday 21st September 2011
Time	1800
Venue	Gozo Stadium
Competition	Independence Cup Final
H.T.	2 - 0
Line-up	Joseph Grima, Joseph Azzopardi, Manuel Xerri, Martin Hrubsa, Joseph Cefai (c), Franklee Grima (John Vella), Chris Camilleri, Elton Vella, Christian Bugeja (Mark Camilleri), Rodney Buttigieg, John Camilleri
Unused Subs	Darren Pace, Shaun Mizzi, Gennaro Hili, Josef Xerri, Carlton Mifsud
Remarks	Rodney Buttigieg, Christian Bugeja, Franklee Grima, Chris Camilleri
Referee	Kevin Azzopardi

Xewkija Tigers win the first honour of the season beating Victoria Hotspurs in the Independence Cup Final to add a first division trophy in the cabinet since 2004.  The Tigers were the better side for long stretches and the final result does not show this difference between the two sides.  This victory show the high potential Xewkija Tigers have in the title chase for this season with the new signings leaving an instant impact.  A victory which gives high hopes to the Xewkija clan for this season.

The Tigers started the match in an excellent and took the lead after just 3 minutes, when Rodney Buttigieg entered the area from the right flank and from his cross John Camilleri had no trouble putting the ball in the net from close range.  Xewkija continued to dictate matters and were dangerous in other occasions  through a series of long ranged efforts by the Tigers' players.  The Hotspurs first reply arrived on 28 minutes through a direct free kick by Justin Azzopardi which was saved with some difficulty by goalie Grima.  One minute later the Tigers could have added the lead through a fast counter break by John Camilleri, from whose cross Chris Camilleri headed just high with goalie Mark Grima beaten.  On the half hour mark, however, the Tigers doubled the lead through a fine header by John Camilleri, following a cross from the right by Joseph Azzopardi.  On 34 minutes the Tigers could have added another one but both John Camilleri and Rodney Buttigieg failed to connect with the ball following a free kick by Chris Camilleri.

In the first minute of the second half Xewkija failed another golden scoring opportunity through John Camilleri who concluded high from an ideal position following an excellent cross from the right by Christian Bugeja.  Victoria started to increase their tempo, however Xewkija were still the most dangerous team and on 52 minutes Victoria goalie Grima made an excellent block on John Camilleri who was released by Chris Camilleri.  The same John Camilleri concluded wide from an ideal position on 59 minutes and once again on 81 minutes where goalie Grima was once again called to make a difficult intervention.  On 82 minutes Victoria went close to reducing the gap with a fine run by Daniel Farrugia, who after skipping past two defenders, saw his effort ending just wide.  On 85 minutes the Tigers lost another golden opportunity when John Camilleri's effort hit the bar.  Xewkija were punished for their missed chances on 88 minutes when a long ranged free kick by Ryan Grech was deflected in by Alex Tramboo with goalie Grima surprised and beaten.  Xewkija managed to defend well their goal in the dying moments of the second half to seal a deserved win in fron of a discrete croud.

Following the match Mr. Vincent Grech, chairman of the Public and Popular Festivities Committee at the Ministry for Gozo, presented the Independence Cup to Xewkija Tigers captain Joseph Cefai, in the presence of G.F.A. Officials, Mr. Paul Galea and Mr. George Cini.

 Match Photos:

Pre-Match & Celebration Photos:

Last Updated ( Friday, 23 September 2011 20:15 )