AWL Build-Up Part 1: – The New Format, Teams and Weekend Matches

The Women’s World Cup may be over but there’s plenty of women’s football to enjoy until we get to the UEFA Women’s Nations League. We are just three days away from the first Assikura Women’s League fixture. This first part of a three-part build-up is dedicated to get you up to speed on the new league format, the teams competing and where you will be able to watch them play.

How the league will work

The league is set for some major changes. Until last year, the teams all played each other three times throughout the season, for a total number of eighteen matches played per team. The team with the highest tally of points at the end of the season was crowned champion.

This year, the league will feature two rounds so that all teams will first play against each other twice. Once the second round of matches is complete, the table will be split into two. The top four teams who have won the most points up to then will be pitted against each other, whereas those teams that are in fifth place and below will be grouped and play against each other.

Those in the top group of four will play three rounds against each other, meaning that these teams would have faced each other a total of five times throughout the season (twice in the opening two rounds, and three times in the final round following the split). Likewise, those in the bottom group will also play three times against each other in the final round and a total of five times throughout the season when one counts the opening two rounds of matches. Additionally, this means that the number of matches that each team will play has risen from eighteen to a total of twenty-three matches.

The split means that teams intending to challenge for the title will need to maximise their points tally until the end of round two, to avoid missing out on it altogether. It could potentially also set a change in the tide considering how these teams perform against each other in the final round.

Who will be playing?

The league is expected to feature eight teams in total. Birkirkara, Hibernians, Mgarr United, Mtarfa, San Gwann and Swieqi United will continue their participation. Raiders Lija will no longer take part as a unit, which has given rise to two separate teams. Newcomers Valletta will participate in the league for the first time following the integration of Raiders within the team. Meanwhile, Lija Athletic will be participating as a separate team this season, making up a total of eight teams in the league.

There will be a core group of returning players who have graced the league for numerous years and will continue to form the backbone of the league, including a number of national team players. Additionally, teams are allowed to field players who are at least sixteen years of age within the calendar year, which will lead to a number of exciting young players to be brought to the fore once more.

Over the years the league has given a platform to a number of rising players who are making waves both locally and internationally and this year will be no different. Last season, Sara Saliba took more than a few headlines and has since departed for Pomigliano Women in Serie A in Italy. However, there are plenty more who impressed and will be returning. These include Georgiana Mifsud and Yulya Carella, who have since earned senior national team debuts.

Additionally, teams are also allowed to field four foreign players per match. The league has featured players coming from Europe, Africa and also North and South American countries, bringing different styles of play which add to the excitement throughout the season. Amongst those returning will be Alexis Espitia who will continue to do her best to trouble defences as Hibernians continue their ascendency back to the top.

However, several clubs have dipped into the market and this year will see the introduction of a few more new names. Some of those already unveiled include Joelma Alves Gabriel and Anastasia Sivolobova of Mgarr United. Corinthians goalkeeper Paty will be wearing Swieqi United orange, as will Karima Abdulai.

When and where can I watch the matches?

This year the fixtures will no longer be played on Tuesday and Wednesday. Instead, matches will be played Thursday to Saturday. Football fans will be treated to a match on Thursday and Friday evening, whilst Saturday afternoons will feature two back-to-back matches.

The matches played on Thursday and Friday are expected to be hosted at the Centenary Stadium or the Victor Tedesco Stadium. Meanwhile, Saturday fixtures will alternate between the Mgarr Ground and the Dingli Ground. This sees two venues added to the league in the Victor Tedesco Stadium and the Dingli Ground, whereas last year matches were generally played at the Centenary Stadium or the Mgarr Ground.

Some high-profile matches have previously been televised or streamed in the past, but currently there is yet to be a confirmation of which matches will be aired.

First Set of Matches

The league will start next Thursday 24^th August, with defending champions Birkirkara hosting newcomers Lija Athletic at 8:15 pm at the Centenary Stadium. Friday will pit San Gwann against Mgarr United at the same time and location.

Saturday matches will be held at Dingli Ground, with Hibernians kicking-off proceedings against debutants Valletta FC Women at 6.30 pm. The match will be followed by Swieqi United hosting Mtarfa FC at 9 pm.

Mark those calendars and stay tuned for part two which will feature some names to look out for as we count down to the first whistle.

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