Birkirkara secured a 3 – 1 victory over Mgarr United to lift themselves over the Greens in the table. Yulya Carella delivered a picturesque goal to push the Greens into the lead, but it was shortly cancelled by Luana Cabral. Defensive duo Valentina Rapa and Charlene Zammit scored a goal apiece to send Birkirkara home with the three points.
Team Selections
Birkirkara’s Maya Cachia started between the posts, behind a back-line consisting of Lara May Azzopardi, Valentina Rapa, Charlene Zammit and Calista Schechinger. Gabriella Zahra started in midfield, in the company of Yuna Hazekawa and Luana Vitoria Cabral. Alishia Cassar captained the side, starting on the right flank, with Mariah Cardona starting on the opposite side. Erica Bispo was the central attacker.
Giulia D’Antuono returned in goal for Mgarr United, behind an unchanged back four, with Rebecca Bajada and Yanina Mendez starting as full-backs, while Abigail Camilleri and Leanne Cefai maintained the partnership in the centre of the defence. Maia Debono was the deep lying midfielder, with Yulya Carella and Veronique Mifsud further forward. Brenda Borg orchestrated the attacks behind the Colombian duo Valeria Villegas Caly and Alejandra Villegas Caly.
How It Unfolded
The game kicked off in an even manner, with the two sides trying to settle in possession. Neither side managed to grab early opportunities from set-pieces, with the majority of the match played in midfield as both sides grappled to establish control.
Still, chances developed as the game wore on. Birkirkara’s Valentina Rapa headed out wide from a corner close to the quarter-hour mark, before Charlene Zammit made an important block to deny Valeria Villegas Caly from close range.
Referee Luca Grech reached for his pocket for the first time in the 23rd minute, booking Alejandra Villegas Caly for a challenge on Calista Schechinger. The battle between the two continued brewing, with several other getting into each other’s faces.
The match needed a goal, and Yulya Carella obliged with wonderstrike from distance. The Mgarr United number eleven took one glance at the goal and struck from out wide into the far left post and in.
However, the jubilation for the Greens was short-lived, with Luana Vitoria Cabral striking from inside the box just a minute later. Giulia D’Antuono got something on it, but the Greens’ were unable to keep it out in time. Mgarr argued whether the ball had gone over the line, but the goal stood.
Veronique Mifsud attempted to get one over her former team from well out from a free-kick. However, she was denied by the crossbar. Mgarr United had another half-chance which fell to Leanne Cefai, but was selfless in trying to play a neat pass into the six-yard box, allowing the Stripes’ Maya Cachia to gather.
Birkirkara rotated the ball better as the final ten minutes of the half approached, with Gabriella Zahra managing to strike an effort from just outside the box. However, Giulia D’Antuono.
However, the defending champions kept growing. Alishia Cassar was released behind the defence in the 42nd minute, dribbling past Giulia D’Antuono but the goalkeeper recovered well to make the block for a corner.
Mgarr United argued the offside call, but none was given. Birkirkara were not to be denied going in front, with Luana Cabral delivering into the box for the goal. Valentina Rapa picked it at the far post, rifling it into the roof of the net to send Birkirkara into the lead for the first time in the match.
Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 2 – 1 Mgarr United
Neither coach made any changes at the break. The Greens came out into the half chasing the equaliser, but unable to make too much headway. Veronique Mifsud picked out Leanne Cefai with a free-kick delivery from out wide, but the defender did not know too much about it to get a good connection for a strike. Birkirkara emerged on the counter-attack with a numbers’ advantage, but were beaten by the offside flag.
Still the Stripes earned the major share of possession, with corner kicks racking up for them to find the two goal cushion in the 67th minute. A shortly taken kick was worked, with Mariah Cardona whipping a good delivery toward Charlene Zammit who headed goalward to put the team well on their way for the three points.
The Greens struggled to connect play together, eventually forcing things with launched balls forward, which the Birkirkara defence was happy to clear. On their part, the Stripes did not go unscathed, with Gabriella Zahra forced off the pitch with injury. She was replaced by Raina Giusti, who took the central attacking position, while Erica Bispo retreated into midfield.
Although kept relatively quiet, Mgarr United managed a chance from a poor clearance by Birkirkara, with Yanina Mendez latching onto it before squaring to Valeria Villegas Caly. However, the forward was quickly closed down. Still able to pull the trigger, the ball ricocheted into the path of Yanina Mendez, but she was ruled offside.
The Greens also attempted to reduce the deficit with a free-kick in injury time. However, Yulya Carella’s delivery was headed for a corner by Valentina Rapa, with the Greens’ Valeria Villegas Caly unable to find the target with the resulting header from a tight angle.
Birkirkara attempted to strike on a quick transition one last time, but Yuna Hazekawa’s delivery was read by Giulia D’Antuono, with referee Luca Grech finishing proceedings shortly after.
Final Score: Birkirkara 3 – 1 Mgarr United
Standings & Next Matches
Birkirkara take their tally to 26 points to place themselves third, while Mgarr United drop to fourth place as they remain on 24. Swieqi United rose to the top of the table following their 4 – 0 victory over San Gwann later in the evening, with Hibernians dropping to second place.
The Stripes will play their final match for the calendar year against Valletta this Saturday at Dingli Ground, with the match starting at 14:00. Mgarr United finish their proceedings on Friday 20th at home against Lija Athletic (20:30).
Lead Image: Elise Bajada
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