Birkirkara Down Swieqi To March On With Perfect Start

Birkirkara made it three wins out of three with a 4-1 victory over Swieqi United. The Stripes’ Erica Bispo opened her account and that of Birkirkara early on. A second-half brace by Yuna Hazekawa and a goal from Alishia Cassar solidified Birkirkara’s win. Swieqi United’s Karima Abdulai got a goal back for the Owls late on, assisted by Sarah Urpani.

Team Selections

Maya Cachia made her fifth start for Birkirkara between the posts this season. Charlene Zammit was partnered by Valentina Rapa in defence, in the absence of Stephania Farrugia. Calista Schechinger and Mariah Cardona protected the widths. Luana Vitoria Cabral and Yuna Hazekawa continued operating with Gabriella Zahra in midfield. Alishia Cassar took the captain’s duties in the absence of Stephania Farrugia and started on the right wing, while Raina Giusti made her first start in the league this season on the left. Erica Bispo started in the centre of attack.

Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s Patricia Araujo continued her stay in goal. She was protected by the trusted defence consisting of Jade Schembri, Tammy Falzon, Rafanny Mendoza Abache and Emma Xuereb. Captain Shona Zammit started in midfield in the company of Michaela Cachia and Ema Micallef. Jade Flask made her first start of the season leading the attack with Karima Abdulai, with Sarah Urpani in support.

How It Unfolded

The match kicked off with Swieqi United in full force and firing an early warning within the first minute of the match. Emma Xuereb glided forward before pinging in a cross toward Karima Abdulai. However, the Ghanaian headed just wide at the near post.

The frantic pace of the match gave little chance for a breather in midfield, with the battle being a crucial one in swinging the balance of the match. Birkirkara had their first real opportunity to threaten from a free-kick which Yuna Hazekawa clipped into the box, but Swieqi’s defence cleared. Luana Vitoria Cabral fired the rebound with venom, but Patricia Araujo was equal to the shot.

Despite this, the Stripes managed to get their noses in front just a minute later, through Erica Bispo who grabbed her first goal with her new club. The Brazilian fired across from a tight angle, finding the far top left corner of the goal, despite Patricia Araujo getting something on the shot. Birkirkara threatened to double their lead from a corner shortly after, however Patricia Araujo punched out to clear the danger.

Having the lead in their hands, the defending champions looked to command possession, with the trio of Yuna Hazekawa, Luana Vitoria Cabral and Gabriella Zahra starting to turn the cogs more effectively against Shona Zammit, Ema Micallef and Michaela Cachia. With the midfield increasingly overrun, Jade Flask was keen on defending from the front in support.

In possession, Swieqi United looked to exploit pace on the wings, but often found themselves running out of room, while Birkirkara’s Raina Giusti was having the most joy on pace up the wings. Valentina Rapa headed a delivery from Yuna Hazekawa but was also denied by Patricia Araujo as the twentieth minute approached.

The Owls responded with efforts to launch directly and catch the Birkirkara centre-backs on the run. However, Valentina Rapa and Charlene Zammit were alert to the danger on multiple occasions. Erica Bispo managed a cross at the other end. However, she too found Swieqi United’s guardians ready to clear.

Swieqi United’s Emma Xuereb and Shona Zammit both managed to fire crosses into the box, but found the defenders well positioned to clear. Meanwhile, the Owls also had a few opportunities from set-piece situations, but the Stripes’ defence stood strong once more. Maya Cachia was keen on coming out to relieve pressure whenever she saw the opportunity, with the Stripes’ goalkeeper relatively untroubled.

Patricia Araujo was called into action again in the 44th minute to make another important stop to keep Swieqi United in the match. Luana Vitoria Cabral threaded a pass from the left wing to feed Erica Bispo. She rolled her marker but found Patricia Araujo ready to make the save to deny her the second.

Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 1 – 0 Swieqi United

The Stripes kicked off the second half in the best possible way. Yuna Hazekawa lined up a direct free-kick from just outside the box, which she powered across into the bottom right corner to put Birkirkara two up in the 47th minute.

Swieqi United looked like they were onto something as Ema Micallef fed a direct pass to Karima Abdulai, who combined with Jade Flask well. However, the Ghanaian was thwarted by Mariah Cardona upon receiving the return. Abdulai also had another opportunity as Ema Micallef delivered from a corner, but the header was wide.

Dorianne Theuma made her first change in the 54th minute, bringing on Salamatu Abdulai in replacement of Michaela Cachia. However, hopes of a comeback were immediately nipped in the bud by Birkirkara. Alishia Cassar latched onto a loose pass at the back and with Patricia Araujo caught out of position, the Birkirkara number nine was cool to chip it into the net for the third in the 56th minute.

With the lead firmly in hand, Vince Galea brought on Amelia Vassallo instead of Luana Vitoria Cabral in midfield after the hour mark elapsed.

Birkirkara’s Raina Giusti was still running rampant on the wing, managing to pick out Erica Bispo who saw her effort dealt with by Patricia Araujo. Giusti attempted an effort from distance as well, but Patricia Araujo was up to the task.

At the other end, Swieqi United’s Jade Flask was still keen on making intelligent forward runs, which Shona Zammit was alert to. Often crowded out in midfield, the skipper managed to find the space to release a ball toward her forward. However, Valentina Rapa read the spin.

More changes ensued from either side. Dorianne Theuma made a swap at the back, bringing on Thea Ida Scicluna in replacement of Jade Schembri. Scicluna slotted on the left, shifting Emma Xuereb to the right. Vince Galea made a double change, bringing Francesca Chircop in attack instead of Erica Bispo, while Raina Giusti gave way to Martina Fenech. Gabriella Zahra and Calista Schechinger alo gave way to Izabella Camilleri and Maia Gauci shortly after.

Neither side were able to capitalise on corner kick opportunities as the match drew to a close, with clearances made by Thea Ida Scicluna and Valentina Rapa, while Maya Cachia latched onto a delivery to relieve pressure as well.

The Stripes’ Charlene Zammit came close to adding her name to the scoresheet, but saw her effort rise over the bar, while Alishia Cassar pulled an effort wide as well.

Having finally found the space for a shot, Shona Zammit attempted one from long-range, but it rattled the crossbar. Still the attempt encouraged the side to get something back, which they did just a minute later.

The key opportunity arose as Birkirkara’s Alishia Cassar took one for the team by blocking Jade Flask’s forward run, but the Owls made the kick pay. Sarah Urpani launched toward Karima Abdulai, who headed it goalward to get Swieqi United on the board in the 88th minute.

Jade Flask attempted to add to the tally with an effort from distance, which was hit with power but lacked the accuracy to find the target.

Final Score: Birkirkara 4 – 1 Swieqi United

Next Matches

Birkirkara make it three wins out of three in the league to sit top of the table with maximum points accrued. They will return in another crunch encounter against Mgarr United, whom they meet next Saturday 21st September at Dingli Ground at 17:00.

On the other hand, Swieqi United will look to bounce back against San Gwann on Thursday (19th) at the Centenary Stadium at 20:15.

Today presents the final two matches of the weekend, as San Gwann and Lija Athletic meet for the first time this season at 18:00, before Valletta and Mgarr United battle it out at 20:30. Both matches will be played at Dingli Ground.

Lead Image: Michael Azzopardi (Swieqi United FC)

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