Birkirkara and Swieqi United Share The Points

The two went into the tunnel still locked at 0-0 on the night. Both sides had more attacking momentum this time round, but it was the goalkeeping and defensive units who made the difference to deny either side the three points.

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Birkirkara’s Janice Xuereb continued her stay in goal. There were also no changes in the defence with Valentina Rapa and captain Stephania Farrugia in the centre, while Ann-Marie Said and Alishia Sultana continued to protect the flanks. Caitlin Rogers returned to the starting eleven in midfield, fronted by Veronique Mifsud and Edith Garcia Falero. The attacking trio of Arianna Del Moral, Marta Grosso and Francesca Chircop were unchanged after a strong display against Lija Athletic.

Having rested a few players over the weekend Swieqi United’s Saviour Darmanin reverted back to the line-up that triumphed over Birkirkara last week. Patricia Araujo started in goal, fronted by a back-four of Jade Schembri, Tammy Falzon, Rafanny Abache Mendoza and Emma Xuereb. Jessica Dimech started in midfield, together with Shona Zammit and captain Dorianne Theuma. The current league top-scorer Salamatu Abdulai started in the centre of attack, flanked by Karima Abdulai and Mariah Sciberras.

Faster, More Open, But Deadlocked

The game kicked off in front of an encouraging crowd who were keen to make their voices heard in support with the hope of seeing their respective teams on the winning end.

Adorned in blue, it was Birkirkara who got the first opportunity to put the ball into the box. Ann-Marie Said whipped the ball into a good area, but just in front of Veronique Mifsud who was unable to get the touch. Swieqi United responded with a chance of their own, but Mariah Sciberras saw her strike fly wide of the mark.

Birkirkara upped their tempo of play significantly from the previous fixture and were keen to break on the counter. Francesca Chircop was on the loose six minutes into the match, but her cross toward Marta Grosso was expertly read by Jade Schembri who was fired up in her defensive duties on the night and rarely missed a beat. A few minutes later Ann-Marie Said released the Italian behind the defence, but her low cross was read by Patricia Araujo.

As expected, after an initial encounter where the two sides appeared to be sizing each other up for most of the match, the gloves were off for this one, with tackles flying in and players making their presence known to each other. Among the key battles in midfield Caitlin Rogers was sticking close to Dorianne Theuma, denying the veteran space to play the killer pass. Meanwhile, Valentina Rapa was doing a good job of shadowing Salamatu Abdulai, denying the forward any chance of a foot-race against her, especially as Swieqi United were unafraid to go direct with long-balls from the back.

The two sides had opportunity to threaten with corners. In one instance, Janice Xuereb collected Dorianne Theuma’s delivery, while Valentina Rapa saw a header drift wide of the goal. In open play, Swieqi United’s Shona Zammit made a burst through midfield before finding Jade Schembri out wide, however her cross was snuffed out by Stephania Farrugia.

Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma had the opportunity to test Janice Xuereb with a free-kick but the wall got enough on the strike to take off the pace, ending up in a comfortable catch for Xuereb. Shona Zammit also tested the goalkeeper from distance but to no avail.

One of the best chances of the opening half developed half an hour into the match as Francesca Chircop hit the post with a shot that hugged the goal-line, but the forward was deemed to have been in an offside position when receiving the ball.

Despite this, the Stripes kept going on their charge. Ann-Marie Said also picked out Arianna Del Moral with a free-kick, but Patricia Araujo was well positioned to save the goal-bound header. Birkirkara also developed a good counter-attack that started from Alishia Sultana out wide. Francesca Chircop laid it for Veronique Mifsud, but her attempt to find Ann-Marie Said on the left-wing was well-read by Jade Schembri who continued to her near-perfect defending performance on the right side. Marta Grosso did manage to strike a venomous shot on the 38th minute mark, but Patricia Araujo was also not in the mood to be beaten.

At the other end, Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma was the next to try a low shot from the edge of the box, but Janice Xuereb shifted well to get behind it. The 40th minute saw a miscued header from Birkirkara’s midfield let Karima Abdulai in behind the defence. However, Birkirkara’s defensive unit were also on top form. Janice Xuereb made the first save, before Valentina Rapa made the second block to deny the Ghanaian.

Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 0 – 0 Swieqi United

Birkirkara Closest But Have To Settle For The Point

Birkirkara started the second half the brighter of the two sides. However, Rafanny Abache Mendoza cleared an initial free-kick before, Ann-Marie Said saw a direct effort aimed for the top corner rise off-target.

Swieqi United’s Karima Abdulai responded by getting past two markers on the right wing, before delivering into the box. Despite this, Janice Xuereb claimed the ball to relieve pressure. The Owls continued working the ball well through the lines, with Jessica Dimech finally attempting to release Mariah Sciberras who made a run on the inside. However, Alishia Sultana won the foot race.

The best chance of the match for Swieqi United arrived close to the hour mark. Mariah Sciberras was let behind by a deflected ball, but her cross to pick out Dorianne Theuma’s run into the box was intercepted by Marta Grosso. The chance reinvigorated Swieqi United’s crowd who burst into support for their team.

The half-chances kept forming for the two sides. Veronique Mifsud had a couple of opportunities to strike from distance but Birkirkara’s number fourteen had one saved by Patricia Araujo, while the second kept rising above the crossbar.

The 70th minute mark beckoned with a free-kick going Swieqi United’s way and personnel from Birkirkara’s bench receiving a second yellow for dissent to the officials. Despite this, the looped header from Rafanny Abache Mendoza was an easy collection for Janice Xuereb.

Any intensity in the match fizzled out as both Emma Xuereb and soon after Marta Grosso needed lengthy treatment for injuries caused by separate incidents. They both stayed on the pitch, but both Jose Borg and Saviour Darmanin opted for changes as the game headed for the final ten minutes of the match. Swieqi United’s Mariah Sciberras was replaced by Kaysia Micallef. Meanwhile, Veronique Mifsud gave way to Gabriella Zahra, who slotted in her central midfield role, while Marta Grosso shifted back into the left wing.

Patricia Araujo continued to frustrate the Stripes by collecting Marta Grosso’s cross which would have otherwise found Arianna Del Moral unmarked at the far post. Shortly after, the American made a good dart past three Swieqi United players before Tammy Falzon made the all-important tackle to deny her a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

As the match wore on, the Owls appeared to be happy to settle for a draw and consistently retreated into defence. However, Emma Xuereb jolted her side into forward momentum in the 88th minute. Despite this, Salamatu Abdulai’s finish was wayward.

Jose Borg made one late substitution bringing on Amelia Vassallo in replacement of Francesca Chircop up top.

The Stripes had two big opportunities in injury time to seal a late victory. The first developed from a corner which following multiple headers fell to Gabriella Zahra who got underneath the volley at the right post. A minute later, Rafanny Abache Mendoza made an all-important block to deny Marta Grosso and Birkirkara from late celebrations.

Full-Time Score: Birkirkara 0 – 0 Swieqi United

Next Matches

The two sides earn a point for their graft on the night. It takes Swieqi United top for the time being with 20 points, while Birkirkara are now on even points with Hibernians (19). The two will now wait for Saturday’s outcome between Hibernians and Mgarr United who currently hold second and fourth place (17 points).

However, until then there are more matches to be played, with Valletta welcoming Mtarfa tonight at the Centenary Stadium (20:15). San Gwann and Lija Athletic will also play a direct confrontation to kick-off proceedings at the Dingli Ground on Saturday (13:00), before the showdown between Hibernians and Mgarr United (15:30).

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