Birkirkara Seal The Treble With Victory Over Hibernians

Birkirkara secured a 2-0 victory, courtesy of strikes by Valentina Rapa and Sara Saliba, to seal the season with all three trophies in the cabinet. Hibernians’ defeat was compounded by injury to young prospect Nyorah Celeste. Coaches Kenneth Costantino & Jose’ Borg weighed in on the contest, while Tonina Dimech and Valentina Rapa nodded to the collective effort in securing the trophy with no goals conceded.

Team Selections

Hibernians’ had a change between the goalposts, with veteran Sharon Costantino starting instead of Maya Muscat. Chloe Ellul and Kiley Norkus provided the width to Natalee Geren and Amy Busuttil in defence. Nicole Sciberras led the team in midfield, accompanied by Kayleigh Chetcuti and Sarah Urpani. Yolande Attard and Alexis Espitia provided the width to Leah Ayres in attack.

Birkirkara’s Tonina Dimech continued her stay in goal. There were no changes in defence as Charlene Zammit continued to partner captain Stephania Farrugia, while Ann-Marie Said and Valentina Rapa shouldered the full-back duties. Caitlin Rogers returned to the first eleven protecting the defence, while Marta Grosso and Veronique Mifsud orchestrated further forward. There were no changes in attack as Arianna Del Moral and Alishia Sultana provided the width to Sara Saliba.

How It Unfolded

The match ensued with Birkirkara’s band heard loud and clear in the opening throes of the match. The Stripes looked to exert dominance from the off. Ann-Marie looked to capitalise on the wind factor with an inswinging corner. However, the Paolites cleared off the line, before Sara Saliba’s rebound into the net was cancelled by an initial whistle for a foul on Hibernians in the box.

Free-kicks soon became the order of the afternoon, with the referee keen on blowing the whistle. The Paolites got themselves up the pitch through Alexis Espitia, who won the side a free-kick with an opportunity to launch a ball into the box. Natalee Geren delivered towards her compatriot Espitia, but the header was equalled by Charlene Zammit to fend off the attack.

The Stripes capitalised on a free-kick as Alishia Sultana was clipped making her way forward. Ann-Marie Said hung a ball toward Valentina Rapa who caressed a header into the right side of the goal before running off in celebration toward the Birkirkara faithful.

The Stripes sought to gain a more confident scoreline, with the defence deploying a high line and keeping the Paolites in their own half. While keen on putting the ball into the box, Birkirkara were not afraid to test Sharon Costantino from distance. Veronique Mifsud fired a shot on the turn which dipped just behind the net, before Marta Grosso also skied an attempt.

On the other hand, Hibernians were keen on trying to keep their shape, while the midfield attempted to exert some hold over possession. They managed to break away on the counter-attack twice, with Nicole Sciberras and Kayleigh Chetcuti linking play toward attack. Despite Yolande Attard managing to get the cross away, Charlene Zammit intercepted well to clear the danger.

At the other end, Natalee Geren required treatment but was determined to stay in the fight as the side sought the equaliser. Hibernians’ Alexis Espitia was on the move again thirty-five minutes into it, but Ann-Marie Said cleared acrobatically, while the American hit the deck. The Paolites’ faithful were on the referee’s back, but play continued. Espitia looked dazed but continued on. The battle between the two continued with Espitia winning a corner for her team in the final throes of the half. However, Kiley Norkus’ delivery was headed away by Stephania Farrugia at the far post.

Half-Time Score: Hibernians 0 – 1 Birkirkara

Neither side made changes at the break, while Birkirkara’s band found its competition as Hibernians’ ensemble rolled into the match at the break. A contingent of new Hibernians’ supporters filtered in following the end of the men’s senior team match at Tony Bezzina Stadium.

As expected the game opened up as Hibernians came out motivated for the equaliser. Kiley Norkus made a forward surge, before cutting inside for the shot. However, Tonina Dimech was equal to it at the near post.

At the other end, Sara Saliba drifted wide and was found by Arianna Del Moral. The youngster made short work of two markers to cut centrally before letting fly a left-footed effort that Sharon Costantino parried away. Costantino was equal to Saliba once more in the 55th minute as Birkirkara’s number eighty closed in on the net but found her low effort saved by the veteran.

Kenneth Costantino made his first changes in the 57th minute, bringing on Amber Galea in the centre of the defence. She replaced Sarah Urpani, while Galea’s appearance shifted Amy Busuttil into midfield. Nyorah Celeste came onto the pitch in a straight swap with Yolande Attard. However, the youngster’s appearance was short-lived as she had to be stretchered off following an awkward twist. Rodianne Zerafa took to the pitch in her stead, marking the long-awaited return, with Hibernians’ number nine joining the attack.

Despite the circumstances, Hibernians appeared focused on getting themselves into it, with the team going into their best spell of the match. Natalee Geren delivered another free-kick into the box which was matched by Tonina Dimech who put it out for a corner. The Hibernians’ faithful were up on their feet as they saw Alexis Espitia hit the deck, however there were little appeals from the players on the pitch.

Although Hibernians were enjoying a more positive spell, Sara Saliba put the nail on the result in the 74th minute, finding the second goal following a corner delivery. Marta Grosso’s delivery was hotly contested, but Birkirkara were the quickest to react to the loose ball. Arianna Del Moral flicked it back toward Sara Saliba who struck across into the bottom left corner to earn the comfort of a two goal cushion from close range.

Jose’ Borg made the first changes ten minutes from time, replacing Veronique Mifsud with Gabriella Zahra who protected the defence alongside Caitlin Rogers. Edith Garcia Falero swapped with Arianna Del Moral. Meanwhile, final instructions were handed to Nicole Sciberras as Hibernians attempted to mount a last-ditch comeback. The instructions were shortly followed by the arrival of captain Martina Borg in replacement of Leah Ayres on the pitch.

Ann-Marie Said attempted to make it three in the final minutes with a direct free-kick. However, Sharon Costantino was equal to it. Jose’ Borg made two final swaps in injury time, bringing on Amelia Vassallo and Stella Francalanza in replacement of Alishia Sultana and Sara Saliba.

The temperature continued to rise as tackles became more cynical, with the referee opting to book Stephania Farrugia for an altercation off the ball. The Paolites appeared to have found the ticket as Martina Borg snuck behind the defensive line, but Tonina Dimech was calm in collecting the ball to diffuse the danger. Hibernians had a final opportunity to test Birkirkara’s defence with a free-kick from the right wing. However, Chloe Ellul’s delivery at the near post was blocked by Birkirkara’s defence, before Gabriella Zahra cleared to safety.

Final Score: Hibernians 0 – 2 Birkirkara

Reactions

Costantino Laments Opening Stint & Decisions, But Positive About Future

Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino admitted the side started on the wrong foot, “We did not start the match with the right mentality. However, in the second half we started a lot better.”

However, the coach expressed his disappointment in the decision making throughout the match “It is not possible to accept the number of decisions going against us consistently. It’s not the first game, it must be assessed and action must be taken.”

The team was invigorated by the appearance of Nyorah Celeste & Amber Galea, although Celeste’s appearance was short-lived. “It was unfortunate. As to the extent of the injury, it will need to be assessed, but of course we needed to adjust to that as well. On the other hand, yes, their introduction was positive. Perhaps that is why the kick-off shift was not welcomed.”

However, despite the defeat on the night, Costantino noted the positive future ahead, “Certainly, a lot of the team is young and there is space to grow. So, the future is bright, but tonight of course we are disappointed.”

Dimech & Rapa Elated To Seal Trophy

Tonina Dimech played all matches of the Assikura Women’s Knockout, with the Stripes finishing their commitments with the trophy and no goals conceded. Asked about going into the thick of things abruptly due to the injuries in the squad and achieving this with the team, Dimech said, “Yes, it was unexpected but we did well to get here. I think there’s always some nerves at the beginning of a final. However, then you settle down and of course my past experience helped to stay focused on the match and do my job when needed.”

A true veteran of the game, Tonina Dimech was probed about the differences observed as she took to the pitch in this final as opposed to those in the past. “There are big differences. When I started playing, even with the national team, we wore men’s kits. Things have thankfully changed now. Seeing the supporters in the stands certainly makes it a more enjoyable experience for sure.”

Meanwhile, Valentina Rapa sealed her spot in the defence this season, but on the night also converted the opening goal to set the Stripes on their way. Probed about the match Birkirkara’s number twenty-seven said, “It was a special moment. As a defender it is not common to have such moments to score a goal in a final and to do it in front of my parents is very special as well.”

Asked about keeping clean sheets throughout the competition, Rapa nodded to the work done by the whole squad, “We knew we were missing Janice (Xuereb) and that we needed to work together, all of us starting from the strikers. Speaking about today, Hibernians can be deadly in attack and we knew that we had to be focused throughout to ensure this victory.”

The young defender continued to establish herself in the Stripes’ defence throughout the season, earning also caps with Malta’s Women’s National Team. Asked to sum up the growth, Rapa noted the pride in putting the performances together, following hard work off the pitch with the support of the club and national team coaches.

Borg Applauds Performance To Close Season With The Treble

Jose’ Borg was elated with the positive start to the match, “I wanted us to be offensive from the off and we managed to score early. The wind factor was very apparent in the match and made things difficult at times. However, in the end I do believe we were the better team.”

The match boiled into a real fight both on the pitch and off it, which Jose’ Borg attributed to the stakes brought about by the promise of a trophy at the end of the match. “It was an atmosphere fitting of a final. There were tackles that would be expected in a final. I think I did not fully agree with everything in how the match was controlled, while I agreed with some instances. However, this is my own opinion. I think players from both sides gave everything and it was a match that both tried to win.”

The team secured the cup without conceding a single goal, which Borg accredited to the collective unity, “The whole team rose to the occasion to get these results. It’s true we had both Janice Xuereb and Erika Muscat injured, but Tonina Dimech did her job in goal when the club needed her. She played four matches this season, including one in the league and kept a clean sheet in all, together with the defence.”

Asked about securing the treble which eluded them last year, Jose’ Borg said, “Last year we lost it in extra-time and I belief we were unlucky to do so. This year it was a target and we achieved all objectives in winning all three available trophies, besides our strong performance in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. So, I’m very happy with the team’s work.”

The match concludes the domestic season for the senior teams in Malta’s women’s football. The only trophy still to be contested is the Assikura Women’s Youth Knockout, which pits the U19 teams against each other. That starts this Wednesday 1st May with the first round to be played at Sirens Stadium. Swieqi United and Birkirkara open proceedings at 14:00, followed by the match between SKMM and San Gwann (KO 16:30).

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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