by Birkirkara will face Valletta as they initiate their final battle for the calendar year at 14:00 at Dingli Ground. Vince Galea and Jean Lopes spoke about facing adversity and growth in the teams, while eyeing a strong performance to end the calendar year commitments.
Important Victories
Birkirkara and Valletta will both take to the pitch on the back of victories against Mgarr United and Mtarfa respectively. The match will mark their final commitments for the calendar year.
Birkirkara came back from goal down against Mgarr United to secure a 3 – 1 victory. Reflecting on a key moment in the match against Mgarr United, Birkirkara’s coach, Vince Galea, said, “It was crucial to strike back immediately after we conceded, which then gave us the momentum in the game.”
With that win, the defending champions put down another marker against external doubts of their ability to maintain their crown, continuing to shape this league campaign into a well rounded battle.
However, Vince Galea backed his side while speaking of the trajectory, “We had difficulties, but we had no doubts that our team can turn form around. These players have showed their strong character on many occasions and it was a matter of instilling confidence, plus some tactical changes.”
Likewise, Valletta’s path this season has also been turbulent. However, the team secured a 4 – 0 win against Mtarfa. Rodianne Zerafa and Sara Bonello Ghio scored their first goals in the shirt in this league, while Ylenia Grech completed the scoring.
Jean Lopes spoke about the importance of the three points amid a tough series of results, “It is always very important to win again and add points. And seeing our athletes having the opportunity to score their first goals of the season is an additional reason for great joy.”
Adapting To Circumstances & Finding Space To Grow
Birkirkara scored twice through set-pieces against the Greens, with defensive duo Valentina Rapa and Charlene Zammit getting on the scoresheet. Vince Galea acknowledged the work and potential for the side in such situations, “It’s an area we are trying to improve from game to game. It’s another way that can help you score goals and I believe we have the quality to do so.”
On the other hand, the Stripes did not end the match unscathed, with Gabriella Zahra forced off early through injury. Galea gave an update on her condition, “We expect Gabriella to be in the team hopefully after the break. Her experience is crucial for us.”
Valletta’s departures are more permanent, but the match against Mtarfa continued to show that it is a side that is pushing several athletes from the U19 into the fray. Jean Lopes admitted that the ambitions for the side have changed as circumstances of the season take hold, but that the long-term trajectory stays the same from past years.
Drawing from the history of Raiders as they transitioned into Valletta, Lopes said, “We have always had a tradition of developing and working on the formation of athletes, since when we were Raiders. When we started this season, our clear objective was to fight to remain in the top four. However, due to various circumstances, we have distanced ourselves from this objective. Regardless of this, we continue to do our best to form athletes with good potential to play for the national team and also for teams abroad.”
Match Expectations
As the top four teams continue to maintain a close eye on each other, three points remain vital to secure to keep pace for Birkirkara. Vince Galea is heading into this one knowing that despite fielding some very young players and a dip in form, Valletta bring their own strengths to the match.
He said, “Valletta are a very solid team which this year was a bit unfortunate with injuries and hence lacked a bit of consistency. We expect a hard challenge once again, it is up to us to try to wrap this year with a solid performance.”
Meanwhile, Valletta’s Jean Lopes underlined that the defending champions need no introduction, “Playing against Birkirkara will always be a very difficult task. No matter what position they are in the table, Birkirkara will always be Birkirkara.”
Still the Valletta coach is pushing his side to put their best possible performance on the pitch this afternoon, “However, we are working hard so that we can deliver a good match and a good performance.”
The two teams will initiate the final Assikura Women’s League double-header for this calendar year at 14:00 at Dingli Ground. The match will be followed by Swieqi United against Mtarfa, as the top team in the table takes on the bottom side, starting at 16:30.
Lead Images: Lara Schembri
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[…] two teams are expected to take to the pitch at Dingli Ground at 16:30, following the clash between Birkirkara and Valletta (14:00). The two matches close out the Assikura Women’s League for this calendar […]