by Birkirkara secured a controlled 5–0 victory over Valletta, with Momo Ueda leading the way with a hat-trick, alongside goals from Kleydiana Monteiro Maria Borges and the returning Ruth Steer-Chetham. After a quiet opening, the Stripes settled into rhythm and managed the contest with composure, while Valletta struggled to convert brief moments of promise into sustained pressure.
Team Selections
Gabriella Grima continued her stay in goal for Valletta, behind a back-four consisting of Aalliyah Bonnici Carbonaro, Shakira Bugeja, Sarah Micallef and Edera Marmara. Eliza Csik captained the side in the absence of Joelma Alves Gabriel, with the Hungarian holding the midfield alongside Ulani Belkis, flanked by Sarah Fenech and Liliana Cohete. Ines Mohammed partnered Daisy Reino up front.
Maleni Morales debuted in Birkirkara’s goal behind a changed defence. Eunice Micallef came into right-back, alongside captain Stephania Farrugia, Selina Anima and Lara May Azzopardi. Stella Francalanza and Gloria Cassar started on the flanks, with Ylenia Grech, Kleydiana Monteiro Mario Borges and Momo Ueda holding the midfield. Ruth Steer-Chetham made a return for the first time this season leading the attack.
How It Unfolded
Birkirkara required patience before asserting their superiority in a 5–0 victory over Valletta, overcoming a sluggish opening to eventually dominate through movement, composure, and finishing.
The early exchanges lacked urgency. The tempo was slow and predictable, with Birkirkara circulating possession without real incision, while Valletta shifted compactly and waited for openings to counter. Gabriella Grima dealt comfortably with a series of hopeful deliveries, and Maleni Morales was equally untroubled by a looping effort from Liliana Cohete at the other end. It was a flat opening that needed a spark.
That spark arrived in the 15th minute.
From a throw-in routine, Stella Francalanza showed sharp awareness to lift a first-time lob into space, finding Momo Ueda’s intelligent run beyond the defensive line. The Japanese midfielder executed with composure, delicately dinking the ball over Gabriella Grima to give the Stripes the breakthrough.
Birkirkara’s confidence rose immediately. In the 23rd minute, Ueda turned provider, threading a perfectly weighted pass between the centre-backs for Kleydiana Monteiro Maria Borges. She took one touch to evade Grima before rolling into the empty net.
The Stripes sensed vulnerability and increased their tempo. A third goal arrived in the 33rd minute following slick interplay — Ruth Steer-Chetham combined with Kleydiana Monteiro Maria Borges, who quickly released Ueda into space once more. The midfielder placed low into the net for her second of the evening, capitalising on Valletta’s defensive gaps.
Valletta attempted to respond in transition, but their best moment of the half came in the 43rd minute when Ines Mohammed was released behind. However, debutant Maleni Morales executed a decisive sweeping intervention to deny the forward.
Half-Time Score: Valletta 0 – 3 Birkirkara
Both coaches reshuffled at half-time. Charlene Zammit introduced Kay Axiak on the right wing, shifting Stella Francalanza into midfield, and moving Kleydiana Monteiro Maria Borges to the left flank. Valletta responded with multiple changes: Kristina Zammit entered at centre-back with Shakira Bugeja dropping to left-back, club debutant Kylie Pantalleresco was introduced in midfield, while Aalliyah Bonnici Carbonaro and Ulani Belkis were withdrawn. Melissa Galea replaced Gabriella Grima in goal.
Valletta produced a rare threatening moment in the 49th minute when Eliza Csik drove forward to find Ines Mohammed, but Morales recovered possession before the striker could complete the move.
Despite spells where Birkirkara struggled to rediscover the fluidity of the first half, they remained largely in control. Valletta’s structure tightened, but isolation plagued their forward line, with Ines Mohammed often stationed far from support while the midfield sat deep in front of the back four. Officials remained composed throughout a largely controlled second half.
The Stripes continued probing. In the 55th minute, Krista Sacco replaced Stella Francalanza, with Kay Axiak moving centrally to adjust the attacking structure. Meanwhile, Somaya Muscat replaced Daisy Reino for Valletta.
The fourth goal arrived in the 77th minute. Ruth Steer-Chetham marked her return to the pitch by getting her name on the scoresheet, lifting a composed finish over Melissa Galea after re-establishing position inside the box, restoring attacking momentum for the Stripes.
Momo Ueda completed her hat-trick six minutes later, wrapping up the score with another placed calm finish into the bottom left corner to cap a decisive individual display.
Further substitutions shaped the closing stages. Valletta introduced Phoebe Camilleri in the 81st minute for Liliana Cohete. Birkirkara’s rotation saw Eunice Micallef and Krista Sacco increasingly involved in wide areas, maintaining control as the match wound down.
However, the final minutes saw little change in pattern. Valletta attempted to stitch together attacks through Shakira Bugeja and Eliza Csik, but the link-up play necessary to trouble Morales never fully materialised.
Final Score: Valletta 0 – 5 Birkirkara
Standings & Next Matches
Birkirkara take their tally to 22 points, with a battle against Hibernians awaiting next. The Paolites come into it following a confident win against San Gwann. The two will meet at the Victor Tedesco Stadium at 20:30 on Friday.
Valletta will prepare to face the league leaders, Mgarr United. The Greens will be looking to make the table advantage show as they target to get the maiden title over the line at the ninety, following this week’s draw against Swieqi United.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Francesca Vella
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