by A single goal was enough to decide the top-of-the-table clash between Birkirkara FC and Swieqi United FC. Brisa Campos showed good composure to slide the ball into the net in one of the rare clear-cut chances of the match. The loss dampens hopes of the title for Swieqi, who were dealt further woes as goalkeeper Conlan was stretchered off the pitch.
A Cagey Affair
Tensions ran high both on the pitch and off it, with the two teams aware of the importance of the match. Both coaches chose to play a 4-2-3-1 system, effectively playing man-for-man. However, Jose Borg opted to switch Alishia Sultana to the left-back position and played Valentina Rapa as right-back. It was an interesting tactic that took away the chance for Swieqi to neutralize Sultana’s pace through equally fast Emma Xuereb.
In building up play, the two teams often opted for the center midfielder lobbing a ball to the wide areas. However, defenders were mostly smart to the run of play and often came away with the ball. When balls actually reached the intended winger, players opted to run deep before crossing allowing the defense to recover and leading to few chances for both teams.
In Swieqi’s case, center-forward Jade Flask was closely marshaled by B’Kara duo Stephanie Farrugia and Charlene Zammit. Instead, Dorianne Theuma and Shona Zammit were forced to strike from distance with Birkirkara goalkeeper Janice Xuereb more than happy to collect. One of the best chances Swieqi came in the fourteenth minute from a corner kick, but the header was cleared from the six-yard box.
For most of the play, Birkirkara also had limited clear-cut chances. The ball from out wide was slow to get into the box, and often missed runners or was blocked by Swieqi’s full-backs Emma Xuereb and Jade Schembri.
Birkirkara preferred to play on the left wing, where they employed Alishia Sultana and Sara Saliba. The young forward fooled her marker more than once by dropping the shoulder and letting the ball run. Unfortunately, crosses often either missed the intended target or were blocked for a corner, which Birkirakra failed to capitalize from.
A Smart Finish from Campos
The two teams were keen to try to capitalize on the counterattack, leading to a few end-to-end moments, especially after a quarter of an hour of play. The referee got more than a bit of stick when choosing to blow the whistle instead of giving the advantage. Letting play go on would have perhaps given better chances to both teams with the defense often being caught out of position.
In fact, the goal arrived in the 51st minute, on a rare occasion when the referee chose to let play go on. Birkirkara Veronique Mifsud was fouled in the defensive third, but the stripes recycled the ball between defense and midfield. Gabriella Zahra played a through-pass directly to striker Brisa Campos who was making the run behind the defense. Despite good positioning, Swieqi centre-half Rafanny Mendoza Abache could not control the ball and instead deflected it right into the path of Campos. The in-form striker had great composure to nutmeg the rushing Swieqi goalkeeper with a low finish, earning Birkirkara the all-important goal of the match.
Swieqi Dealt Double Blow
Besides trailing in the game, Kuipers’ team was dealt further trouble in the 80th minute when goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan was injured as she rushed to win the ball from Marta Grosso who was closing in on goal.
The goalkeeper looked to be in some distress and had to be stretchered out of the pitch forcing Swieqi United to use Mariah Sciberras as a make-shift goalkeeper since the team had no substitute goalkeeper on the bench.
Despite brave midfield runs from Shona Zammit, who at one point dribbled her way out of being triple-teamed by the stripes, Swieqi failed to mount any real threat after that.
The loss means that Swieqi will need to regroup and come out fighting in the next matches to retain some form of pressure on league leaders Birkirkara and hope that the stripes slip up despite the odds and run of form.
League Standings
The win takes the stripes six points clear at the top, and the eighty-plus unbeaten streak makes them strong contenders to maintain the lead to the end of the season. Despite the loss, Swieqi still retain a good gap ahead of Hibernians FC, though they will hope that Conlan is not out for too long.
Elsewhere Mgarr United beat San Gwann by seven goals. The greens had a strong showing with plenty of players getting on the scoresheet. Yulya Carella bagged a brace, while Kelly Agius Pace, Tourki Chaimaa, Brenda Borg and Amber Grech also found the net. It was a special goal for the latter who marked her first appearance after being sidelined with injury in the best possible way. San Gwann also suffered an own goal. The win ensures that Mgarr retain a good cushion in fourth place ahead of chasers Raiders Lija FC.
The Assikura Women’s League returns next week 7th March with a doubleheader. Mgarr welcome leaders Birkirkara FC at the Centenary Stadium for an 8 pm kick-off and Hibernians play San Gwann at the Mgarr Ground, at 8:30 pm.
Photo Credit: Birkirkara FC
