by Swieqi United secured a slender 1 – 0 victory against Birkirkara to separate themselves from the Stripes in the table. Aleksandra Yaneva delivered the winning goal, while Patricia Araujo delivered a penalty block to deny Momo Ueda a debut goal and at least a point for the Stripes on the night.
Team Selections
Janice Xuereb continued to protect Birkirkara’s goal. Haruhi Sekura debuted as the left full-back, while Lara May Azzopardi started on the right. The two flanked the partnership between captain Stephania Farrugia and Izabella Camilleri. Amy Busuttil partnered Leanne Micallef, who made her first appearance on return to Birkirkara in midfield. Momo Ueda debuted in the number ten position, with Mariah Cardona and Maya Pellegrini operating on the wings. Patricia Lamanna led the attack.
There was also no change in goal for Swieqi, with Patricia Araujo retaining the spot. Miriana Conti started in partnership with Valentina Rapa who was facing her former club for the first time. Sarah Urpani and Emma Xuereb continued to operate as full backs, while Michaela Cachia continued to anchor the midfield. Andjela Kricak and captain Shona Zammit continued to operate in the space further afield, with the attacking trio also unchanged as Sara Saliba led the line against her former club flanked by Salamatu Abdulai and Aleksandra Yaneva.
How It Unfolded
The Owls faced Birkirkara as the defending champions for the first time in a contest that was more open than many of its predecessors. Swieqi United did not take long to show their momentum, splitting open spaces in midfield, which they seemed ready to capitalise on in the 6th minute. However, released behind the defence, Aleksandra Yaneva beat Janice Xuereb who was closing with a lob, but put too much on it to drop in the far corner of the net. Sara Saliba was next to be released four minutes later, with Janice Xuereb blocking the shot.
However, the Owls’ efforts paid dividends in the 13th minute as Aleksandra Yaneva latched onto a direct pass in the box before curling it into the bottom far left corner of the net for what ultimately separated the two sides on the night.
Despite this, the match was not without its drama and further opportunities. Swieqi United continued in good momentum of attack creation, with Sarah Urpani delivering a deep cross. Salamatu Abdulai got her head on it but not enough of a connection to trouble Janice Xuereb.
Birkirkara struggled to get out from their half for the opening twenty minutes, with the side focused on limiting the score. Leanne Micallef made a block on Andjela Kricak’s shot, before Salamatu Abdulai was allowed to get past her marker too easily on the wing. However, Janice Xuereb collected once more.
Mariah Cardona continued to be the beacon up top for the Stripes, with the winger trying to make something happen on the dribble. However, Michaela Cachia cleaned up from behind in aid of the defence who was closing the space. Momo Ueda started to find her feet in creation as the half went on. She tried to ask the first questions of Patricia Araujo in the 31st minute. Darting into the box, Patricia Lamanna laid a dink, but the Japanese’s dink to find the far post was off target.
Shona Zammit was looking to get her team to nip the momentum that the Stripes were gaining, with the midfielder pressing Birkirkara’s Stephania Farrugia to good effect. However, Janice Xuereb reacted well to the scattered ball.
The Owls scattered another major opportunity in the 39th minute, as Aleksandra Yaneva did well to get to the byline, but opted for the shot from the tight angle, despite having bodies available for the tap in.
It looked like Swieqi United would be punished for their lack of clinicality as referee Scott Harrison pointed to the spot in the 40th minute as Mariah Cardona was clumsily challenged from behind in the box. However, Momo Ueda was denied a debut goal from the penalty spot by Patricia Araujo who got a palm on the shot to the left of the goal. Valentina Rapa was first to react to clear to a corner to deny Birkirkara the rebound.
Though they were let off the hook there, Birkirkara sought to earn their equalising goal from the resulting corner and did find the net. However, the officials cancelled the goal for a foul in the box.
Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 0 – 1 Swieqi United
Both coaches made changes at the break, with Ema Micallef replacing Sara Saliba on the pitch. Swieqi’s number six slotted in midfield alongside Shona Zammit, while Andjela Kricak shifted to the wing and Salamatu Abdulai spearheaded the attack. Birkirkara’s Leanne Micallef gave way to Gabriella Zahra.
Birkirkara took charge of the second half in search of the equaliser. Patricia Lamanna linked well with Mariah Cardona who continued to be lively for the side. However, the number twenty-three opted for a right-footed effort from a tight angle which favoured Patricia Araujo. Billy Mock introduced Ylenia Grech instead of Maya Pellegrini shortly after.
Swieqi United almost turned defending a free-kick into their second goal, with Patricia Araujo quick to find Shona Zammit who released Salamatu Abdulai on pace. However, Momo Ueda tracked back for the Stripes to have the first opportunity to clear the cross.
Birkirkara saw out increasing pressure from successive corners, before displaying further fluidity in attack. Momo Ueda continued to be key in intelligent movement, linking well with Gabriella Zahra in the 56th minute as the Japanese midfielder made her run on the wing in space. However, the return from the Japanese was behind Zahra denying the shot from inside the box.
The open contest continued with Swieqi United’s Ema Micallef next to deliver a cross onto the head of Aleksandra Yaneva. However, the header was wide of the far post, continuing to raise further pressure on the Owls. Shona Zammit picked out Valentina Rapa unmarked at the far post, but once again the header lacked the connection to cause trouble. Janice Xuereb was also called into action against subsequent free-kicks, with the goalkeeper also keeping Birkirkara in play by nipping deliveries.
Billy Mock made a further attacking change to bring Amelia Vassallo into the fold, with Izabella Camilleri making way, before Maia Gauci also made a late appearance instead of Patricia Lamanna.
Birkirkara had final opportunities with Stephania Farrugia scooping a free-kick in the final ten minutes, while Swieqi United’s Miriana Conti and Valentina Rapa continued to marshal things in view of retaining the clean sheet and the victory. Patricia Araujo ended the match with a dart from her line to collect a through pass to deny any late celebrations for the Stripes.
Final Score: Birkirkara 0 – 1 Swieqi United
Standings & Next Matches
Swieqi United nudge themselves ahead of Birkirkara with the victory, while Mgarr United retained the perfect start in the league with a 4 – 0 win against San Gwann elsewhere on the night. Tonight presents the final match of the weekend as Hibernians aim to match Mgarr United on points with a victory against Valletta, who seek their first points this year.
Swieqi United return on Friday 19th at the Charles Abela Stadium against Hibernians at 20:30. Birkirkara will look to bounce back with a statement as the first to dock points from Mgarr United on Saturday at the same time and place.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Elise Bajada
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1 Response
[…] A single goal was enough to separate Swieqi United against Birkirkara, though the side could have gone on to rue early missed chances but for a stoic penalty save to keep their clean sheet intact. […]