by The Stripes kicked off their campaign with a commanding 11 – 0 victory over San Gwann. Luana Vitoria Cabral and Francesca Chircop each grabbed a hat-trick, while Alishia Cassar converted a brace. Yuna Hazekawa and Calista Schechinger grabbed a debut goal apiece, while an own goal was also scored.
Team Selection
Birkirkara’s Vince Galea gave Maya Cachia a starting debut behind a back-four. Mariah Cardona and Valentina Rapa started as full-backs, alongside the experienced duo of Charlene Zammit and captain Stephania Farrugia. Yuna Hazekawa and Luana Vitoria Cabral made their debut in the centre of midfield, supported by veteran Gabriella Zahra. Francesca Chircop started in the centre of attack, flanked by debutant Calista Schechinger and Alishia Cassar (nee Sultana).
San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri started with debutant Geona Muscat in goal. Kirstie Vella started in defence, alongside the young debutants Jeanelle Falzon and Naomi Blundell. Rabab Mhalli and Nilayza Attard started on the wings, while captain Annabelle Rapa was trusted in midfield alongside Fatma Al Girbi. Chaimaa Tourki operated behind the attacking duo of Yasmin Attard and Hailey Russell.
How It Unfolded
The Stripes took charge of the match from the off. Yuna Hazekawa needed only two minutes to announce herself in the Assikura Women’s League. She nudged Birkirkara into the lead placing a right-footed effort into the top-right corner, set up by fellow debutant Luana Cabral.
Cabral doubled the lead just three-minutes later, tapping home after Alishia Cassar’s initial shot was saved. Francesca Chircop made it three with another low drive into the left side of the goal just a minute later, before Luana Cabral doubled her account and made it four for the Stripes on the tenth minute.
Evidently shocked by the start to the match, San Gwann struggled to get hold of the ball, with the flow of the match being one-way traffic toward their goal. The contrast was evident on the touchlines as San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri was urging his team to get back into the match, while Vince Galea was understandably cutting a calmer figure in dishing out his instructions.
The Yellows appeared to be onto something through a counter-attack, releasing Hailey Russell who was keen on making her mark against her former team. However, Stephania Farrugia raced back to stop her in her tracks, perhaps to the dismay of Maya Cachia who was likely keen to get involved having been starved of action.
Calista Schechinger was next to mark her debut with a strike. She darted inward and was fed by Gabriella Zahra, before the American fired in the strike from the penalty area. She contributed to get Birkirkara’s sixth on the half-hour mark, this time curling it directly from a corner, with Naomi Blundell heading it inward from the near post.
Although things were going well for the Stripes, there was some worry as debutant Yuna Hazekawa had to be taken off after a collision with Hailey Russell. Stella Francalanza took to the pitch in her stead.
The Yellows had some forward momentum as Yasmin Attard ventured onto the right wing and crossed into the box, but Maya Cachia was alert to the danger to make it hers. Birkirkara’s defence were unfretted by a corner just a few minutes later. The side managed to string some possession with Hailey Russell linking with Chaimaa Tourki, who roped in Yasmin Attard. However, Stephania Farrugia was well positioned to head away to safety. Hailey Russell was also unafraid to attempt one from distance, but unable to find the target.
The Stripes cranked up the attack once more as the half-time approached. Calista Schechinger picked out Francesca Chircop in the box. The number seven controlled it well, before firing a powered strike only to be denied by the crossbar. However, the Stripes still managed the seventh before half time, courtesy of Alishia Cassar who placed the effort into the bottom left corner from close range.
Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 7 – 0 San Gwann
Both coaches made changes at the break. Raina Giusti took to the pitch in a direct swap with Calista Schechinger. Meanwhile, Shania Gheiti took to the pitch instead of Yasmin Attard for San Gwann.
Giusti got in on the action immediately, delivering a short-worked corner into a good area, but Valentina Rapa was unable to convert the finish. However, Francesca Chircop got the restart going for the Stripes, firing into the left corner of the goal after being well picked out by Gabriella Zahra.
Luana Cabral made it nine in the 50th minute, to complete her hat-trick by volleying a tap-in from Alishia Cassar’s crossed delivery. The two almost combined for the tenth, just seven minutes later but Geona Muscat got two hands on it to deny the finish.
Julian Camilleri freshened things up, bringing on Cristina Hili in replacement of Nilayza Attard, while Fatma Al Girbi was replaced by Martina Schembri.
However, the Stripes kept pushing forward for more. Francesca Chircop rebounded a finish to go into double figures just before the hour mark.
With the team comfortably ahead, Vince Galea made another switch, giving an early rest to Charlene Zammit, while Martina Fenech took to the pitch in the right-back position, making a marked return to action after being sidelined with long-term injury. Valentina Rapa shifted into centre-back alongside Stephania Farrugia. Luana Cabral and Francesca Chircop also gave way soon after, replaced by Ruth Steer-Chetham. Meanwhile, Izabella Camilleri replaced Luana Cabral. Camilleri slotted in centre-back position, with Stephania Farrugia pushing into the left-back position and Mariah Cardona rotating to the centre of midfield.
Izabella Camilleri was denied a chance to get on the scoresheet as she tried to head home a corner delivery from Raina Giusti, only to be denied by the woodwork. Ruth Steer-Chetham followed up with the rebound but was ruled offside.
Meanwhile, Martina Fenech and Mariah Cardona were still keen on going forward up the wings, with the midfield also well in Birkirkara’s control. Julian Camilleri made a final change bringing on Thais Muscat in replacement of Hailey Russell.
Despite this, one-way traffic continued, with the Stripes gaining the final goal in the 82nd minute. Martina Fenech was released by Stella Francalanza. Birkirkara’s number four crossed toward Alishia Cassar, who converted a left-footed effort into the bottom left corner to seal the victory.
Final Score: Birkirkara 11 – 0 San Gwann
Next Matches
The Stripes will be keen to get the first three points on the board. They return to action against Lija Athletic on Thursday 29th August at the Centenary Stadium, at 20:15.
Meanwhile, San Gwann will certainly be disappointed not to have managed to hold off the defending champions with more might. However, they will look to bounce back against Mtarfa on Friday 30th August at the Centenary Stadium, at 20:30.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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