The opening stage of the BOV GFA Cup produced contrasting outcomes at the Kercem Stadium on Saturday, with Nadur Youngsters progressing routinely while Qala Saints required extra time and penalties to secure their place in the next round.
In the first fixture, Nadur Youngsters defeated Xaghra United 2–0. Diego Fernando Rodriguez Angulo gave Nadur the lead midway through the first half. Although Joseph Xerri had a late penalty saved deep into added time, he immediately made amends by scoring the second goal moments later to seal the result.
Referee: Wayne Sammut.
The second match saw Kercem Ajax and Qala Saints draw 2–2 after extra time in a dramatic encounter. Gilberto Martins Leite Carrara opened the scoring for Qala in the second half before Mario Henrique Fernandes Cardoso equalised. Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos restored Qala’s advantage in extra time, only for Dejan Bogdanovic to draw Kercem level at the end of the period. Qala then prevailed 5–4 in the penalty shoot-out to progress, despite finishing with ten men following the late dismissal of Andre Gabriel Castro Martins.
Referee: Vladimir Rizoski.
Both Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints now move into the next round of the competition.
