by Swieqi United downed Birkirkara by 3 – 0 to ensure they etched their name on the Assikura Women’s League for the first time. Karima Abdulai got the side going early in the match, before Rafanny Mendoza Abache and Ema Micallef completed the score to reverse the faith from last season.
Team Selections
Swieqi United’s Patricia Araujo continued her stay between the posts behind an unchanged defence consisting of Jade Schembri, Tammy Falzon, Rafanny Mendoza Abache and Emma Xuereb. Michaela Cachia continued in the holding midfield position behind the duo of Sarah Urpani and captain Shona Zammit. Ema Micallef operated in the space behind the attacking partnership of Karima Abdulai and Salamatu Abdulai.
Likewise there were no changes in goal for Birkirkara with Janice Xuereb maintaining her place and the captain’s armband. Valentina Rapa started in a trio with Charlene Zammit and Calista Schechinger. Alishia Cassar and Mariah Cardona operated as wing-backs. Stella Francalanza partnered Gabriella Zahra in midfield while Viverly Nanez operated further forward with Luana Vitoria Cabral. Erica Bispo led the attack.
How It Unfolded
Referee Raiden Psaila kicked off the match in front an expectant crowd heavily biased in Swieqi United faithful as the possibility of clinching a maiden title hung over proceedings. Shona Zammit almost sent them on their feet two minutes into it, with a side-footed volley from long range that had Janice Xuereb back-peddling, but landed just behind the post.
Swieqi United had the wind in their backs with a strong breeze across the length of the pitch that was another determining factor to consider for the two teams. However, Birkirkara were putting up a strong fight. The two teams were engrossed as Swieqi United applied a high press on the Stripes in search of an opener, while Birkirkara were threatening to find a way through.
Birkirkara pushed forward on an attack but found Rafanny Mendoza Abache ready to head clear. Sensing the pressure, Shona Zammit took control of the situation and rose to the expectancy of the armband. The midfielder charged from in front of her defence half-way up the pitch, before releasing Salamatu Abdulai wide. The Ghanaian opened the space for the cross finding Karima Abdulai ready to head home and send the team into the lead in the 12th minute.
The goal meant Birkirkara needed to find two goals in the remaining minutes, but the Stripes had done this before this season and that was clear as the side pressed on. Mariah Cardona pushed forward delivering a cross to Alishia Cassar who breached the defence. However, Swieqi United’s defence recovered as the forward sought to control for the shot.
The Stripes’ challenge was made tougher as Viverly Nanez was forced off the pitch with injury on the quarter hour mark. Lara May Azzopardi took her place, slotting on the wing while Alishia Cassar moved into the centre.
The Owls pushed for the comfort of a two goal cushion with the set-piece count rising steadily for the two teams. Ema Micallef came close for Swieqi United, brushing the crossbar with a corner delivery, before Tammy Falzon headed a delivery from Shona Zammit over the bar. At the other end, Gabriella Zahra kept a delivery alive, however Swieqi United cleared before Stella Francalanza could apply the shot.
Karima Abdulai had the Swieqi faithful on the edge of their seat once more as the half hour mark approached, having cut clear the Birkirkara defence on pace. She fired across with power but was wide of the mark. You wondered whether Swieqi United were going to rue the missed opportunities as the chance count rose.
At the other end, Birkirkara’s Luana Vitoria Cabral earned the side a chance to work Patricia Araujo from a dangerous area. Gabriella Zahra’s curled effort was on target but lacked the power to trouble the Brazilian goalkeeper who shuffled to collect safely.
Swieqi United had a final opportunity on the half-time mark as Emma Xuereb released Salamatu Abdulai. The Ghanaian’s pace could not be matched once more, but the lob was overcooked and another chance to double the lead was gone for the Owls.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 1 – 0 Birkirkara
Both sides came back onto the pitch unchanged with clear instructions on their ambitions in the match. Erica Bispo fizzed a dangerous cross early on but there was no one to put the finishing touch on it for Birkirkara. Swieqi United responded with another corner opportunity before Salamatu Abdulai made another charge up the field but could only find the side-netting with the shot.
Still, the Stripes pushed on in search of the equaliser. Charlene Zammit met a corner delivery from Luana Vitoria Cabral but could not direct it goal-ward. The defending champions thought they had made their efforts pay moments later as the ball was tapped home into the net but the cross was deemed to have been played from an irregular position by the officials.
Swieqi United were struggling to gain the momentum they had in the first half but the increasing pressure from Birkirkara appeared to jolt some action after the hour mark. Shona Zammit delivered a cross from the byline which was palmed by Janice Xuereb, before Sarah Urpani’s attempt to finish the volley flew off target.
Vince Galea made a change shortly after, bringing on Izabella Camilleri in attack, with Stella Francalanza withdrawing. Camilleri partnered Erica Bispo in attack, while Luana Vitoria Cabral retreated into midfield.
Salamatu Abdulai made another surge through midfield, cutting centrally, but with numbers in support opted for the shot which fizzed wide. The Ghanaian’s pace continued to be a growing problem, with Valentina Rapa forced to take a booking for the team as Abdulai was on the trot on the counter once more just over the half-way line.
Charlene Zammit was next to come to Birkirkara’s rescue twice in one attack as Shona Zammit cut inside for the shot. The veteran blocked the first, before reacting to the follow-up from Sarah Urpani.
With the defence continuing to keep the Stripes in it, Birkirkara’s Erica Bispo tried to work some magic up front. The Brazilian drew in four Swieqi United players as she darted into the box, but finessed her way through before firing the shot. The run was deserving of a goal, but the crossbar came to Swieqi United’s rescue in the 75th minute.
It seemed to be the warning that Swieqi United needed, with the team finding the second goal just two minutes later. Rafanny Mendoza Abache headed the delivery from Shona Zammit that was blocked by Luana Vitoria Cabral. However, the Venezuelan made sure to bury the rebound. It was the goal that gave confidence that the maiden title was truly on the cards. Players’ celebrations were mirrored on the bench as coaches Dorianne Theuma and Keith Gouder embraced in euphoria, while you could feel the pressure lift from the crowd in support.
The Swieqi faithful called for more and those on the pitch obliged. Salamatu Abdulai darted to the byline, this time opting for the cut-back. Ema Micallef tapped home the finish and was engulfed by the team. The Swieqi United support found the courage to belt out ‘Campione’ with a three-goal cushion truly sealing the faith and poetic in reversing the story from last season, where Birkirkara sealed their own twelfth title in exactly the same manner against them.
Changes were made on both sides as Amelia Vassallo took to the pitch for Birkirkara instead of Lara May Azzopardi. Dorianne Theuma retreated Jade Schembri, Ema Micallef, Sarah Urpani and Emma Xuereb, with Miriana Conti, Shannen Mallia, Ylenia Azzopardi and Thea Ida Scicluna coming on in their stead.
Patricia Araujo continued to be a calm figure in Swieqi United’s goal, commanding the box as the Stripes made a last attempt to get themselves on the scoreboard. However, Swieqi United’s day was to be unblemished, with the clean sheet also kept intact. The full-time whistle sounded to the jubilation of those in blue and orange, as the wait for the first league title was officially at an end.
Final Score: Swieqi United 3 – 0 Birkirkara
Standings & Final League Match
Swieqi United end Birkirkara’s eight year reign in Malta’s women’s league. Swieqi United’s trophy celebrations will follow the final league match, where they will face Hibernians in the upcoming weekend, but the exact fixture is yet to be released. Hibernians will come into it following a 3 – 1 defeat to Mgarr United, with the latter climbing to second place as a result. The Greens will face Birkirkara in their final league match, with the two battling it out for second place.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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