by Just one more sleep until the first kick-off of the Assikura Women’s League. This final part of the build-up sets the scene of some key records that are being chased and the teams’ potential targets heading into the new season, against the backdrop of last year. Check out the first two parts if you missed them, outlining the league layout, matchday schedules (Part 1) and a few names to keep an eye on (Part 2).
Birkirkara
The defending champions will set forth on another campaign with a chip on their shoulders, but they also have a particular record in sight this year. Winning the title would allow them to equal Hibernians’ record of twelve titles at the top of the history books.
They will be bidding to lift the title for the seventh consecutive season, a statement which should confirm the consistency that they have shown over the last few years. Furthermore, they will fight to extend their unbeaten run in the league, which is currently sat at 87 matches.
Although this paints a picture of dominance, the team has not had it easy, with a few teams coming close on various occasions. This year competition is expected to get even tougher, from several teams who have strengthened over the summer months. As will be noted down below, it may just be one of the toughest seasons yet. The fact that the league will operate in a different manner stirs the pot even further.
However, the Stripes have plenty of experience in their locker and will know enough to take the season match by match. They will open the league campaign with a match against Lija Athletic on Thursday at 8:15 pm at the Centenary Stadium.
Swieqi United
The Owls are one of the teams who will be striving to knock Birkirkara off their perch. As has been noted in previous articles, the team has completely changed its coaching team which suggests that there may be a few changes in how the side goes about their business.
The team ended last season on a high by winning the Assikura Women’s Knockout and will hope to carry that momentum into this season as they chase their maiden league title. Despite not winning a league title in the Owls colours, the side boasts several players who are no strangers to lifting the trophy, most notably with Hibernians. So, like the Stripes, it is a team that has a number of experienced players in its ranks.
It will be another question whether they, together with new recruits and younger players, can finally keep that momentum throughout the season to lift the trophy. However, it will be one of the sides that one expects to challenge. They open their commitments in the final match of the weekend, on Saturday 26th against Mtarfa FC at the Dingli Ground, at 9 pm.
Mgarr United
The Greens have been in and around the top of the table for a few years now. However, the title has eluded them thus far, and this will be another chance to make amends. It is a team that has taken points from the top sides in the past, and so will believe that can challenge if the right balance is struck.
Last season coach Michael Mangion lamented the dips in form which meant that the team suffered a gap to second-placed Swieqi United. Considering this, it is likely that the team will be drilled into ensuring that intensity throughout to be able to challenge.
Like several others, the side has strengthened in various areas of the park. Should the team continue to hold on to their key players, the new introductions will also help to improve the depth of the squad which is crucial over the length of the season. Their first match will be against San Gwann FC, which will be played at the Centenary stadium on Friday 25th at 8:15pm.
Hibernians
The Paolites returned to the league last season and were no slouches. The team gelled over the length of the season and toward the end gave strong impressions in the final round against the top three teams.
They threatened to complete a comeback against Birkirkara but were denied by the final whistle, held Mgarr United to a hard-fought draw, and managed to complete the victory over Swieqi United in their final matchday. That final match confirmed Birkirkara as champions last season. They also reached the final of the Assikura Women’s Knockout, which cemented their upward trajectory over the length of the season, including a tight victory over Mgarr United in the quarter-finals.
Keith Gouder remains at the helm and has recruited a number of young players to his squad, which is expected to continue to increase their depth going forward. As noted above, Hibernians will do their best to deny the Stripes from reaching that twelfth title. However, noting the youth in the squad and the fact that most are itching to lift their first senior league title, their mindset is likely to be more framed toward attempting to notch their maiden title, and thus the thirteenth for Hibernians, than denying Birkirkara their twelfth.
Their first match will be a cracker that pits them against debutants Valletta FC. It will be the first of two back-to-back fixtures at the Dingli Ground on Saturday 26th, starting at 6.30 pm.
Mtarfa
The Blues were a team that struggled for points last season but managed two victories over San Gwann to pip them in sixth place. Despite the points tally, the young side showed real growth throughout the length of the campaign. Similar to other teams, they have lost some players to rivals over the course of the summer, but one will wait to see how they will cope with the adjustments.
Simon Spiteri will continue to lead the team and will hope that they can build on the positives of last season and improve on the points tally. One crucial aspect will be whether they can offer more resistance against the top teams, whilst using that confidence in matches where they can bag the points. Their first match will be a great opportunity to show their growth, as they come up against Swieqi United who were one of the sides that truly troubled the Blues last season. The match will be played at the Dingli Ground on Saturday 26th at 9 pm.
San Gwann
Last season was one marked by quite a few changes for the team, including a change in leadership. This year they will be operating under the guidance of new coach Julian Camilleri who will set forth with the aim of lifting the team from the bottom of the table.
The change in coaching means that the team could shape out in a rather different manner than last year, both in terms of the style of play that Camilleri wishes to adopt, but also through recruitment. Like Mtarfa, this is a side that has featured many young players in the past and so coaching will be crucial to turn last year’s heavy defeats into more positive matches. Last year they were defeated by the Blues twice which was what relegated them to the final spot in the league. There is no doubt that during the direct confrontation the side will want to seek revenge.
However, as noted above, pre-season is a time for changes and a chance to lay solid foundations for the campaign. It will be interesting to see the development as the team walks out onto the pitch for their first match. They will face Mgarr United on Friday 25th at the Centenary Stadium at 8.15pm.
Valletta
Though Valletta is a prominent name in men’s football in Malta, it will be the first time that the City colours will appear in the women’s league. The club has integrated much of the setup that formed the team of Raiders in the past and so come into the season with several knowledgeable members.
Last year, Raiders Lija showed winning consistency against Mtarfa and San Gwann, whilst managing to nick a draw from the champions Birkirkara. Throughout the course of the campaign, they maintained a mid-table fight against Mgarr United and Hibernians but fell short in the final throes, which relegated them to fifth.
Former Raiders Lija coach, Denis Guerra, will be leading the team and has managed to retain many of the players with whom he last year managed a fifth-placed finish in the Assikura Women’s League. Having said this, there are a few key players who have departed the squad and so it will be interesting to see who will fill those boots.
It is a side that features many young players and who have shown positive development. Guerra was also one of the few coaches to utilise more than a single formation which gave a real headache to some teams. It will be interesting if he will mix it up again this season or if there will be a preferred system.
They kick off their campaign against Hibernians FC on Saturday 26th at 6.30 pm at the Dingli Ground.
Lija Athletic
The name of Lija is one of the oldest names in women’s football, having featured in various forms over the course of many years. However, this year will see the return of Lija Athletic as a separate entity. Its detachment from Raiders will see the league feature eight teams instead of seven.
The squad will be led by Jethron Azzopardi who appears to have set up an interesting squad of players, with a balance of youth and some experience in the league. That balance will be crucial in order to ensure that the campaign is one that sets a strong foundation for a long-lasting presence in the league.
The team have not been dealt a kind hand in their first appearance, facing the defending champions Birkirkara. However, it will be an opportunity like any other for players to shine and show just what they are capable of. Doing well will surely give the team the strongest of boosts as they head into the campaign. The match against Birkirkara will be the opening fixture of the league, to be played on Thursday 24th at 8:15 pm at the Centenary Stadium.
Summary of Opening Fixtures:
- Thursday 24th: Birkirkara vs Lija Athletic @ 20:15 (Centenary Stadium)
- Friday 25th: San Gwann vs Mgarr United @ 20:15 (Centenary Stadium)
- Saturday 26th:
- Hibernians vs Valletta @ 18:30 (Dingli Ground)
- Swieqi United vs Mtarfa @ 21:00 (Dingli Ground)
Tickets at the door.
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