by Leaders Hibernians will take on defending champions Birkirkara at Dingli Ground at 16:30, as the battle at the top continues to bubble in the Assikura Women’s League. Kenneth Costantino and Vince Galea gave their thoughts on the trajectories and impact of injuries and suspensions on their chances for the win. The two coaches were also probed on their thoughts on the scheduling impact as the top clash battles for viewership on every front on a public holiday.
Contrasting Trajectories, But With A Unanimous Target
Another top clash awaits as top side Hibernians face defending champions Birkirkara this afternoon. The two teams head into it on the back of different results, with an important three points at stake as things shape up in mid-season.
Hibernians secured a 10 – 0 triumph over Valletta last Saturday, returning to action with a confident win and also with a new recruit in Sarah Vella Barberi appearing to settle well with the team. Kenneth Costantino negated it was a perfect restart, but addressed the victory and her introduction positively.
Costantino said, “Fortunately perfection doesn’t exist in football. Hence you are never ready from the job at hand, but surely it was a good restart after the long layoff. Sarah is working hard to comprehend our ideas of play, get her timing right, and get to know her teammates. Yet of course, we are very satisfied with what we saw and those areas which need improvement will be worked upon.”
There were also changes as Amy Busuttil was deployed in midfield, with Amber Galea taking the role in defence. Kenneth Costantino was probed into the decision and the likelihood of its reoccurence, “I trust all my players do their utmost to be the best version they can. Of course, we deal with humans and it is normal that they go through rough patches or difficult times. It is our duty to help them perform as best they can whilst supporting them throughout. Amber played many games last season and even this year. With Amy, I discussed her position amongst other things and she is working to be of help to the team whilst also improving her own game.”
Meanwhile, Birkirkara come into this one following a defeat to Swieqi United, seeing the Stripes falter in lifting the Super Cup trophy for the first time in the last three editions. Vince Galea gave his assessment of the match following the final, underlining that despite crucial injuries, the team dominated spells of possession but was not clinical enough in the final third.
The team also walked away with a fresh injury as Martina Fenech had to be substituted off just a few minutes after taking to the pitch from the bench. Questioned about her condition, Vince Galea replied, “We still need to await further tests on this new injury, hopefully it is not too serious. Martina has been doing really well since she returned back to action and we will be there to support her all the way.”
A Chance To Extend Or To Close The Gap
The first round match was a dramatic one that was shrouded in plenty of controversy following several dubious officiation decisions. However, it was Hibernians who just did enough to secure the three points with a 3-2 win. Heading into this one, Birkirkara will seek to remedy the tally and close the gap to the Paolites, who lead the table.
Looking at the trajectories, although Birkirkara kicked off with a strong start, their season has been hampered by several elements which set a different backdrop in mid-season. The team underwent significant changes in the coaching staff and squad following the transfer window. It appears to be battling embedding new recruits and promoting young players into senior football, amid injuries to the leaders within the squad. All of this has chipped away at the invincible aura that the Stripes had amassed in recent years, but the defending champions still remain the defending champions.
On the other hand, as the two giants in Malta’s women’s football hunt down a record thirteenth title, Hibernians will have only one target: of securing the double to break away with a seven point lead, albeit the Stripes will have a game in hand. Still, the Paolites have slipped up against Swieqi United and Mgarr United, making them far from invincible themselves. However, Hibernians’ victory over Valletta gives the team confidence heading into this one, paired by the Super Cup defeat for Birkirkara stirring the mix.
Questioned if this is a favourable scenario for his team, Costantino’s reply showed the mentality the Hibernians’ coach is demanding from his team, “Every game is a script on its own. Birkirkara have been very unlucky this season. Injuries and circumstances have not been in their side, but we went through this last season ourselves and we understand that big games bring out the best in every player.”
Likewise, following a few days to recuperate from the Super Cup final, the Birkirkara coach, Vince Galea, is looking for his team to improve and rise to the occasion, “We should seek to improve on our last performance and aim to maximise our efforts to get the three points irrespective of the opponent and history of last games.”
He continued, “Obviously, we are disappointed that we did not manage to capitalise on our superiority in possession and chances of the first half during the Super Cup. While we respect our next opponent’s strengths, we have to focus on what we can control, that is the next game.”
The team also finished the Super Cup final with ten players, following a direct sending off for Charlene Zammit, who will be suspended for this one. It will put the Stripes in a tough spot once more as they take to the pitch without the veteran defensive partnership of captain Stephania Farrugia and Charlene Zammit in a top clash.
Vince Galea did not give too much away in terms of how he plans to deal with this conundrum, simply saying, “It’s definitely a big blow in probably the most challenging period of the season, but we cannot change this. We need to look inside our clan and find different solutions. As we have been doing this season, we will definitely not shy away from passing responsibilities to younger players.”
Will The Attraction of The Top Clash Be Suffocated By Planning Decisions?
While the first match attracted a significant crowd, played at the expansive Victor Tedesco Stadium, one questions whether this clash will garner such an atmosphere. Although the decision to schedule it on a public holiday should attract more people, it is battling several factors.
Played at Dingli Ground, the pitch will already limit the spectacle. Additionally, those closely following the women’s game in Malta will be scattered between Dingli and Mosta, as all four teams play on the same afternoon across two venues. The likelihood of attracting any football enthusiasts from the men’s game is also questioned as its timing clashes with men’s Super Cup final.
The two coaches were probed on whether they believe such decisions contradict statements of efforts to grow the women’s game.
Kenneth Costantino shouldered responsibility as a coach to improve the level of football, but was critical of the planning decisions. He said, “Unfortunately, local football, male and female has never really reached anything close to the full potential. Whilst I believe that as coaches we are responsible to improve the game on the pitch and we must strive to improve this element of the game, our job is heavily hindered by the lack of foresight, planning and management required to keep up with other countries.”
Although trying to praise positive efforts, the Hibernians coach finished, “Improvement has been done over the years, but unfortunately much more could, and should, have been done. These include elements related to fixtures, venue planning, fair distribution of funds, sponsorship, availability of learning opportunities for coaches and administrations. The list goes on.”
Birkirkara’s Vince Galea gave a balanced take, “I do not think that the men’s final will affect our fixtures, but yes we would have definitely preferred to play this game in a larger stadium for various reasons as you have highlighted. Notwithstanding, being a public holiday and having a double fixture should still attract a good attendance, at least I hope.”
The battle is set to start at 16:30 at Dingli Ground, following the encounter between Swieqi United and Lija Athletic (14:00). Charles Abela Stadium will host the double-fixture as Mtarfa take on Valletta at 15:00, before Mgarr United welcome San Gwann at 17:30.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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