by Birkirkara downed Hibernians for the first time this season with a 1 – 0 victory to take themselves to second place and nudge closer toward a historic thirteenth title. Izabella Camilleri scored the goal, with Mariah Cardona grabbing the assist. The result leans the title chase towards a dramatic potential close in an upcoming direct confrontation as the top two, Swieqi United & Birkirkara, face each other on Saturday.
Team Selections
Hibernians Elizabeth Harrington started in goal. Kenneth Costantino changed approach, deploying a back-four consisting of Georgiana Mifsud, Natalee Geren, Jessica Dimech and Ileana Farrugia. Nicole Sciberras started in midfield, with captain Martina Borg and Joelma Alves Gabriel operating further forward. Alexis Espitia and Kayleigh Chetcuti started on the wings. Leah Ayres was the sole attacker.
Janice Xuereb captained Birkirkara, continuing her stay in goal. There were no changes in defence, with Calista Schechinger starting in the company of Charlene Zammit and Valentina Rapa. Mariah Cardona and Lara May Azzopardi continued to operate on the wings. Stella Francalanza kept her place in midfield together with Gabriella Zahra. Viverly Nanez started with Luana Vitoria Cabral in support of Izabella Camilleri who led the attack.
How It Unfolded
The match kicked off under a strong afternoon sun with the two giants keen on making their mark in the title chase. Hibernians sprang the surprise with a system change that the Stripes struggled to deal with earlier on.
The Paolites appeared to have the control with the Stripes increasingly pinned into their own half and struggling for a way out. On the other hand, Hibernians had to be patient, with the final ball eluding them.
Alexis Espitia managed to breach the defence on the wing on one occasion, staying on her feet despite seemingly clipped in the box. However, the cross in was blocked by Charlene Zammit, before Janice Xuereb collected. The experienced duo marshalled things to withstand the early pressures before the Stripes grew into the match.
Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino swapped things with Kayleigh Chetcuti pushed back into midfield as the 20th minute elapsed, while Joelma Alves Gabriel was thrusted wide. Ileana Farrugia was keen to push forward, with a curler toward the near post. However, Janice Xuereb shuffled well to cover the shot.
Birkirkara grew in attack, with Mariah Cardona becoming an increasing problem on the left wing. The winger managed to curl in a delightful cross in the 37th minute, which Izabella Camilleri directed home to put the defending champions into the lead. Vince Galea was vocal in praise for the two youngsters, urging his team to maintain focus.
On the other hand, Kenneth Costantino reacted with a change before half-time, retracting Joelma Alves Gabriel, while Sarah Vella Barberi took to the pitch on the wing. The Paolites attempted to get an equaliser before the break but Valentina Rapa headed out an initial free-kick delivery by Jessica Dimech, before Ileana Farrugia was off target with the follow shot. Martina Borg tested Janice Xuereb from distance but the Birkirkara goalkeeper was up to the task.
Hibernians took to the pitch with a change to a 3-4-3 shape as they sought to find the equaliser. Nicole Sciberras fired with venom but Janice Xuereb was alert with a diving save once more.
At the other end, the Paolites’ defence was alert to a Birkirkara corner delivery, before Natalee Geren pushed forward for the counter-attack. She was matched by Calista Schechinger for pace before attempting to release Alexis Espitia. However, Lara May Azzopardi read the intent and cleared to safety.
Birkirkara’s Vince Galea made his first switch on the hour mark, with a swap up front as Sofia Carvajal Granados took to the pitch instead of Izabella Camilleri.
The Stripes pushed to double their lead with another cross from Mariah Cardona that was well defended at the near post. The second shot was blocked, with a dubious handsball that was waived away by the official Rapjan Xhyra.
The Paolites had a major opportunity to earn the equaliser moments later with a quick break. Leah Ayres pushed forward on pace, before squaring it to Kayleigh Chetcuti who made the run in support. However, she was wide of the mark against the closing in Janice Xuereb. It was a chance gone, but encouragement for the Paolites.
Kenneth Costantino made another switch bringing on Chloe Ellul on the wing, while taking off Leah Ayres. Alexis Espitia pushed into the centre of the attack.
The contest continued, with Birkirkara testing their resolve to find the comfort of a two goal cushion, while Hibernians sought to find a way to breach the defence. Forced to shoot from distance, Janice Xuereb was happy to pick off the attempts, while the Birkirkara midfield was hard at work breaking up play and pushing forward the attacks. The Stripes managed an opportunity with a cut-back to Sofia Carvajal Granados whose shot was blocked by Jessica Dimech, before Viverly Nanez could not control the follow-shot.
Having been an engine in midfield, Stella Francalanza was given an early rest, with Vince Galea pushing Amelia Vassallo into the fold.
The Paolites’ Alexis Espitia was still a worry for the Stripes, with the forward clashing against Janice Xuereb, near the corner flag, with the officials awarding the kick to Birkirkara.
As the final five minutes approached, Sarah Vella Barberi was a key initiator for Hibernians, injecting real panic in the Birkirkara defence taking on three players as she darted toward the centre of the box. She earned the corner, but Charlene Zammit was well positioned to head out at the near post.
Still, Hibernians’ captain Martina Borg was pushing the side to go forward and apply final pressures on the Birkirkara defence in search of the equaliser. Kenneth Costantino made a single change with a few minutes and injury time to go on the clock bringing on Amber Galea instead of Kayleigh Chetcuti and pushing Natalee Geren into midfield. The American had a final opportunity from a long-range free-kick, but the Birkirkara wall did its job to maintain course for the victory.
Final Score: Hibernians 0 – 1 Birkirkara
Standings & Next Matches
Birkirkara continued their positive form to down Hibernians for the first time this season, taking themselves to second place on 40 points, following Swieqi United who lead on 45 points. Hibernians remain on 39 points, equal with Mgarr United who on their part fell to a 1 – 0 defeat to Swieqi United.
Birkirkara will face Swieqi United at Dingli Ground on Saturday (22nd) at 14:00, with a direct confrontation that could signal curtains on the title race should league leaders Swieqi United manage to get a point.
Hibernians will take on Mgarr United at 16:30 at the same venue, and the two will be ready to pick off their chance and push things until the end, should things not be concluded in the clash between Birkirkara & Swieqi United.
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1 Response
[…] United open a five point lead at the top (45 points) with two matches to go. They are followed by Birkirkara who on their part took their tally to 40 points after the 1 – 0 win against Hiberni…. Hibernians and Mgarr United remain tied in third and fourth place on 39 […]