Two thrilling quarter-final encounters lit up the Kercem Stadium on Sunday, as Xewkija Tigers and Kercem Ajax booked their places in the semi-finals of the GFA KO 1st Division after extra-time battles filled with late goals, comebacks, and drama.

Ghajnsielem FC 3–4 Xewkija Tigers FC (a.e.t.)

Referee: Daniel Portelli

Xewkija Tigers produced a remarkable extra-time comeback to eliminate Ghajnsielem in a seven-goal classic, overturning the match twice in a dramatic late surge.

Ghajnsielem struck first after just nine minutes, when Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro finished clinically to put his side ahead. Xewkija responded midway through the half through Abou Toure, who levelled the score in the 28th minute.

The Blacks regained the lead on 71 minutes when Jhon Alejandro Gonzales Castillo fired home, and Ghajnsielem seemed destined for victory. But Xewkija forced extra time with a crucial 89th-minute equaliser from Marcelo Junior Barbosa, who kept calm to make it 2–2.

Extra time exploded into life when Hayden Muscat restored Ghajnsielem’s lead in the 98th minute. Yet the Tigers responded instantly: two minutes later, Toure struck again for 3–3, completing his brace.

Just moments after the restart, Stefan Cassar scored what proved to be the winner, completing a sensational turnaround to send Xewkija into the semi-finals with a 4–3 victory.

Xagħra United FC 1–1 Kercem Ajax FC (a.e.t.)

Kercem Ajax win 4–2 on penalties
Referee: Sandro Spiteri

The second quarter-final was another tight affair, with Kercem Ajax advancing only after a penalty shoot-out in a match that remained deadlocked after 120 minutes.

Xagħra took the lead in the 29th minute thanks to Lucas Farrugia, but Kercem reacted almost immediately, equalising three minutes later through Andrea Debrincat.

Despite chances for both sides, neither team managed to break the 1–1 stalemate in regular or extra time.

In the penalty shootout, Kercem Ajax held their nerve, converting four of their spot-kicks to secure a 4–2 win and punch their ticket to the semi-finals.

Two dramatic matches mean the GFA KO semi-final lineup is now taking shape, with Xewkija Tigers and Kercem Ajax both advancing after memorable performances under the Kercem lights.