by Birkirkara and Swieqi United could not be separated, finishing the match in a 1-1 draw. Swieqi United’s Karima Abdulai was teed up by Dorianne Theuma for the opener, before Birkirkara’s Marta Grosso converted Arianna Del Moral’s cross to send the teams home with one point apiece.
Team Selection
Janice Xuereb started in goal protected by an unchanged back-four in captain Stephania Farrugia, Charlene Zammit, Alishia Sultana and Ann-Marie Said. Gabriella Zahra started in the holding midfield role, behind Marta Grosso and Veronique Mifsud. Arianna Del Moral and Sara Saliba started on either side of Francesca Chircop in attack.
There were also no goalkeeping or defensive changes for Swieqi United as Patricia Araujo continued to be the last line of defence behind Jade Schembri, Tammy Falzon, Rafanny Abache Mendoza and Jessica Dimech. Shona Zammit started in midfield, in the company of captain Dorianne Theuma and Salamatu Abdulai. Kaysia Micallef and Mariah Sciberras occupied the widths, while Karima Abdulai was the central striker.
Wary Of Each Other
Similar to many of the top of the table encounters, the two started out fairly wary of each other. However, there was plenty of effort to try to take the upper hand. Birkirkara thought they broke the deadlock early on as Arianna Del Moral placed home into the net just six minutes into it only to see it ruled offside.
Swieqi United appeared to be ready to drop deep when out of possession, with essentially Karima Abdulai the only attacking outlet. However, they managed to break away and have their first major opportunity twelve minutes in. Jade Schembri released Karima Abdulai on the right flank. Her cross was met by Janice Xuereb but kept alive for Salamatu Abdulai to try to snatch the opening goal. However, the Ghanaian’s effort on the turn from short range rose above the bar, letting the Stripes off the hook.
The chance appeared to encourage the Owls, while mistakes started to mount from Birkirkara. Salamatu Abdulai managed to win the ball up the pitch just a few moments later, but could not find the target with the long range effort. Meanwhile, coach Jose’ Borg could be seen urging calm from his team who appeared somewhat rattled.
Neither side truly appeared to have settled in possession by the 25th minute, with both coaches trying to diffuse the tension and encouraging their team to following the game-plan.
Birkirkara could not find the target from a corner, before a free-kick delivery was launched toward Francesca Chircop, whose effort was saved by Patricia Araujo. The goalkeeper sent the team on the counter but Birkirkara’s captain Stephania Farrugia was determined to keep the Owls away from her goal. Birkirkara came back with more, as Francesca Chircop delivered a low cut-back toward Marta Grosso. However, the Italian’s effort to find the right corner was meek and Patricia Araujo held the low shot.
Swieqi United managed to win a free-kick in midfield, in what appeared to be one of many soft fouls given in the match, toward the final ten minutes of the half. Dorianne Theuma launched forward toward the box, but Janice Xuereb collected the looped header from Karima Abdulai.
There was plenty of fighting spirit. Charlene Zammit responded with a surge up the pitch and knew exactly what she was doing to win the free-kick against Jade Schembri on the wing. Ann-Marie Said delivered across the box, but too high for anyone to head home.
Meanwhile, Jessica Dimech continued winning her battle against Sara Saliba out wide, while Gabriella Zahra was doing well to cover for the Birkirkara full-backs as they attempted to push further forward.
As the half drew to a close it was Swieqi’s Rafanny Abache Mendoza who intercepted the ball in midfield, before releasing to Kaysia Micallef out wide, with the Venezuelan continuing her run into the box. However, the youngster hesitated to put the cross in, allowing Birkirkara to close down and come away with the ball.
The Stripes won a corner in injury time, which Stephania Farrugia headed into Patricia Araujo’s hands. The Brazilian launched toward Dorianne Theuma for the counter, but her run was cancelled by Alishia Sultana, to the sound of the half-time whistle.
Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 0 – 0 Swieqi United
Swieqi’s Lead Short-lived Once More
Jose’ Borg made a tactical swap in half-time, switching out Arianna Del Moral and Sara Saliba. Birkirkara managed to win a couple of corners, with an-edge of the box routine working out the best to surprise Swieqi United. However, Charlene Zammit’s effort swerved just off-target, denying what would have been a spectacular goal.
The effort cajoled Swieqi United into action at the other end, which led to the opening goal of the match in the 56th minute. Salamatu Abdulai’s initial cross ran across the box to Dorianne Theuma. The veteran still had plenty to do. She took out two markers with a marseille turn before pinging a perfectly weighted ball toward Karima Abdulai, who headed into the right side of the goal. The battle ensued also in the stands, with both sets of supporters immediately shouting at each other’s expense.
Birkirkara sought an immediate response through a free-kick from midfield which Swieqi United saw away, before Francesca Chircop ran out wide to deliver a cross which Patricia Araujo was first to once more.
Although not as quick as in the Super Cup, the defending champions would not be denied the equaliser for long, which arrived just over the hour mark. Arianna Del Moral dinked a ball into Marta Grosso, which the Italian struck first time with the outside boot and straight into the right corner, sending the supporters on their feet and straight at each other’s throats once more.
Jose’ Borg made his first substitution following the goal, bringing on Caitlin Rogers in a direct swap to Gabriella Zahra. Meanwhile, Edith Garcia Falero took to the pitch instead of Sara Saliba. The Uruguayan slotted in midfield, pushing Marta Grosso out wide. Saviour Darmanin also made his only change, bringing on Jade Flask in a direct swap with Kaysia Micallef.
Hunting The Winner To No Avail
As the half wore on, Birkirkara were clearly the team on the hunt for victory, while Swieqi United were more keen to pick out a few opportunities to push forward. Marta Grosso had a major opportunity just before the 70th minute mark to make it a brace, but could not catch the volley cleanly while Patricia Araujo did well to close the angle and collect.
However the game still had plenty of fight. Jade Flask pushed against a fifty-fifty with Stephania Farrugia, but the Birkirkara skipper recovered well. At the other end, Patricia Araujo and Rafanny Abache Mendoza were still the epitome of calm in trying to play out from the back.
With a quarter of an hour to go, Francesca Chircop back-heeled a pass into Arianna del Moral, whose low cross was cleared by Jade Schembri. Dorianne Theuma immediately sent Jade Flask running off onto the left wing. However, the cross was caught by Janice Xuereb, diffusing the situation.
The counter-attacks continued from Swieqi United, while Birkirkara continued to try to make headway through more free-kicks, to no avail. The end to end action ensued with Caitlin Rogers having done well to come into the thick of it and assert presence in midfield for Birkirkara to push forward.
Valentina Rapa came onto the pitch for the final ten minutes, replacing Francesca Chircop. Rapa slotted in the right-back role, while Alishia Sultana moved into the central attacking position.
As pressure piled on Swieqi United, Rafanny Abache Mendoza continued leading from the back, keen to intercept and push her team forward. The defender ran into midfield, before running into traffic and attempting to switch play. However, Birkirkara’s defence read the pass before responding with another push forward.
The Stripes were almost handed a goal in the final five minutes following an indecision at the back, which Arianna Del Moral looked to pounce on in the six-yard box. However, Patricia Araujo made the initial save, before the American pulled the rebound wide.
Swieqi United’s Jade Flask was the next to hit the deck in midfield. Jessica Dimech launched forward but Charlene Zammit headed away before Ann-Marie Said put depth to the clearance. The Stripes continued on the hunt for a winning goal but efforts to beat Swieqi United’s defence were of no trouble to Patricia Araujo.
Jose’ Borg made one last throw of the dice, bringing on Ileana Farrugia instead of Arianna Del Moral in injury time. The Stripes’ Ann-Marie Said could not find the target with a central free-kick, before Rafanny Abache Mendoza made a final surge in Swieqi United’s favour, but the final ball was read by Birkirkara’s defence.
Final Score: Birkirkara 1 – 1 Swieqi United
Standings & Next Matches
The draw enables Birkirkara to retain the four point lead in the standings. The leaders will return to action against Hibernians on Saturday 3rd February at Mgarr Ground (16:30). Meanwhile, Swieqi United will seek to get the better of Mgarr United earlier that afternoon in the same ground (14:00).
However, there’s still more football to be played before then. Hibernians and Mgarr United will battle it out tonight at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30). Tomorrow will see an action packed afternoon at Dingli Ground as Mtarfa take on Valletta (14:00), before the clash between San Gwann and Lija Athletic (16:30).
Lead Image: SC Photography
Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
