Birkirkara Claim Record-Equalling Twelfth Title With Victory Over Swieqi

Birkirkara made sure of their crown with a 3-0 win over Swieqi United. Arianna Del Moral got things going in the first half, before Marta Grosso and Alishia Sultana confirmed the three points in the second half. Jose’ Borg provided his comments on securing the title after a hard-fought campaign.

Team Selections

Birkirkara’s Janice Xuereb continued guarding Birkirkara’s goal. Nanako Kobayashi partnered captain Stephania Farrugia in the heart of defence, due to Charlene Zammit’ having to miss out the match’s suspension. They were flanked by Valentina Rapa and Ann-Marie Said. Caitlin Rogers protected the defence, while Marta Grosso and Gabriella Zahra occupied a more forward midfield role. Alishia Sultana returned from suspension on the left wing, while Arianna del Moral continued her stay on the right. Francesca Chircop led the line.

Swieqi United’s Patricia Araujo started in goal, protected by an unchanged defence in Thea Ida Scicluna, Rafanny Abache Mendoza, Tammy Falzon and Jade Schembri. There were also no changes in midfield, with captain Dorianne Theuma starting in the company of Shona Zammit and Michaela Cachia. Kaysia Micallef returned to the fold on the right wing, while Jade Flask started on the left. Salamatu Abdulai led the line.

Tightly-Poised But B’Kara Claim The Lead

A more open match unfolded this time, with both sides finding space, but there was little to show for it in terms of clear opportunities for much of the first half. Birkirkara had multiple corners which they could not use to good effect, with Francesca Chircop coming the closest but heading wide of the mark.

On the other hand, both Shona Zammit and Dorianne Theuma attempted to cross toward Kaysia Micallef, but Birkirkara’s Nanako Kobayashi and Ann-Marie Said were first to the ball. An attempt to release Salamatu Abdulai was also well read by Stephania Farrugia.

The Stripes had their first major opportunity in the 18th minute after Alishia Sultana ran onto a short pass at the back. However, Patricia Araujo made a crucial block to keep the teams deadlocked. Marta Grosso and Francesca Chircop both had efforts blocked, while the game truly started to heat up toward the half-hour mark with tackles flying in and a few elbows flying with them.

Swieqi United held their ground against free-kick deliveries from midfield, but were undone for the first time in the 36th minute as Ann-Marie Said made a stubborn run forward toward the final third. The attempted pass deflected into the path of Francesca Chircop who fired across from a tight angle. Although Patricia Araujo got a hand on it, the ball landed into the feet of Arianna Del Moral who just nudged it home from the six-yard box.

Swieqi United almost grabbed an equaliser in a similar fashion in the 42nd minute. Salamatu Abdulai caught Birkirkara trying to play out from the back, blocking a pass and in doing so sending the ball across the face of goal. However, there were no runners into the six-yard box in time to tap it home.

The Owls had another good opportunity at the final throes of the half, as Jade Schembri fired a ball over the top for Salamatu Abdulai, who did well to deliver a cross first-time. However, Birkirkara’s Valentina Rapa made a crucial interception to deny Jade Flask the opportunity for the strike.

Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 1 – 0 Swieqi United

B’Kara Solidify Lead To Make Sure Of The Crown

The Stripes were handed a cheap corner in the early stages of the restart, which they almost made full purchase on. Marta Grosso played it short to Ann-Marie Said who wrapped a left boot on it to find Stephania Farrugia at the far post. The skipper knocked it down for Francesca Chircop to hit at the far post but the striker couldn’t convert.

The Owls struggled to get a footing in a half they knew they needed to get two goals in to keep their title challenge alive. The first switch arrived at the 57th minute, with Karima Abdulai taking to the pitch instead of Dorianne Theuma, who handed the skipper’s armband to Shona Zammit. Abdulai slotted as the central striker, with compatriot Salamatu Abdulai dropping into the number ten position.

Still the Birkirkara train kept going and Alishia Sultana was on her bike close to the hour mark. However, Patricia Araujo made the save to deny Birkirkara from finding their second.

At the other end, the Swieqi United faithful received some encouragement as Jade Schembri found Karima Abdulai on the wing who rolled her marker well. However, the cross was gobbled up by Janice Xuereb at the near post. The Owls attempted to pile pressure with two corner kicks, but Birkirkara were untroubled.

Instead the Stripes surged on a counter-attack to grab the second goal of the night in the 64th minute. Alishia Sultana was found on the run behind the defensive line, before pinging a cross to Marta Grosso who sent the ball into the back of the net. Birkirkara’s faithful were stronger in their chants this time, while Swieqi United argued the offside flag.

Jose’ Borg made his first change a double switch, bringing on Veronique Mifsud in direct replacement to Gabriella Zahra, while Sara Saliba gave Francesca Chircop an early rest. Mifsud was quick to seek out her fellow substitute with a through-ball that was read by Rafanny Abache Mendoza.

Swieqi United’s bench opted for an offensive swap as Mariah Sciberras replaced Jade Schembri at the 70th minute. Sciberras attempted to support the attack on the flank, before Shona Zammit attempted to find Jade Flask with a ball over the top. However, Valentina Rapa read the play well to send her team back on the counter.

The Stripes knocked on the door for the third as Veronique Mifsud released Arianne Del Moral wide. The winger darted inside but pulled her low shot wide of the mark. Swieqi United responded through Michaela Cachia who won the ball high up the pitch and was quick to find Karima Abdulai. However, the low cross in search of Jade Flask was gobbled up by Janice Xuereb once more.

Instead, Birkirkara surged forward to find the third just on the 80 minute mark. Arianna Del Moral crossed into Sara Saliba whose effort was saved by Patricia Araujo. However, Alishia Sultana made sure of the third with bullet into the left side of the net.

Swieqi United appeared to have gotten themselves a goal back in the 83rd minute, with Jade Flask placing into the far side-netting, only to see it ruled out by the offside flag.

Jose’ Borg made three more changes, bringing on Mariah Cardona instead of Alishia Sultana, before Valentina Rapa and Arianna Del Moral were replaced by Ileana Farrugia and Stella Francalanza.

Swieqi United kept up the attempt to find a goal back, but Nanako Kobayashi and Stephania Farrugia continued to marshal play away as expertly as they had done all match, alongside their full-backs. The Stripes had a final opportunity to find a fourth through Sara Saliba who ran free once more, but pulled the effort wide. The full-time whistle was heard to the chant of ‘champions’ from the Birkirkara stands.

Final Score: Birkirkara 3 – 0 Swieqi United

Birkirkara’s Jose’ Borg beamed as the team confirmed their title defence against their nearest rivals with a commanding victory, “We’ve worked hard for it for the past ten months. I think it is fully deserved. Despite losing some points along the way, I still think we dominated and I think today’s result showed that we are truly deserving of the champions title.”

In doing so, Birkirkara grab their seventh consecutive crown and the twelfth title in their history, with one match to spare in what has been a thoroughly engrossing campaign. They also equal the standing record of titles for a club in the women’s game, previously set by Hibernians.

Elsewhere, in the Assikura Women’s League, Valletta continued their unbeaten streak with a 3-0 victory over Mtarfa. Laura Muscat broke the deadlock, before Miriana Conti grabbed a brace to make sure of the three points.

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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