B’Kara March On With Victory Over Mgarr

Birkirkara replicated last week’s scoreline despite an improved opening half from Mgarr United. Veronique Mifsud kept up her goalscoring streak to break the deadlock, before a brace by Alishia Sultana and a goal from Arianna Del Moral sealed the victory for the Stripes in the second half. Nanako Kobayashi also made her debut for Birkirkara.

Team Selections

Birkirkara’s Jose Borg stuck to the team that emerged victorious against the Greens last week, with no changes. Meanwhile, Patrick Curmi made one change, with Fernanda Peinado returning in attack in replacement of the injured Joelma Alves Gabriel. However, there was also a shift in positions for Chantelle Grech and Maia Debono who swapped places in defence and holding midfield respectively.

Mifsud Gets The Stripes Going

The two teams were level pegging for the opening twenty minutes. The Greens looked to try to establish a stronger presence early on, determined to improve on the last week’s showing. Birkirkara looked to pop crosses into the box, causing some early trouble for Patricia Ebejer and Mgarr’s defence, but the Greens managed to hold on.

However, Birkirkara kept up the chase and broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, by working a quick throw-in. Arianna Del Moral switched play to Marta Grosso, who crossed into Veronique Mifsud. The number fourteen continued her streak of spectacular goals against the Greens, with a back-heeled finish that clipped the post on its way in.

Mgarr United had a good opportunity to throw players forward with a free-kick just two minutes later. Abigail Camilleri launched forward, which Birkirkara cleared before the Greens recycled the ball to earn a corner. However, the Stripes emerged unscathed.

Ann-Marie Said tested Patricia Ebejer with a free-kick at the other end in the 33rd minute, but Mgarr’s goalkeeper made the save. Maia Debono did well to win the ball back in midfield shortly after and recycled for the Greens to start a promising attack. Anastasia Sivolobova launched up the wing to Rebecca Bajada who found Yulya Carella in midfield. The number eleven dinked the ball over the top for Brenda Borg who finished into the net, only to see it ruled out by the offside flag.

Arianna Del Moral tried her luck from distance shortly after but it flew just wide of the post. The midfield tussle ensued, with the Greens continuing to try to intercept passes heading into the final third with a higher defensive line.

Yulya Carella and Alishia Sultana continued having a good battle on the left wing, with Birkirkara’s defender using her experience well to come out on top. The Greens looked like they were onto something just before half-time as Maia Debono won the ball in midfield before finding Brenda Borg. However, the attack fizzled out in the final pass.

Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 1 – 0 Mgarr United

Sultana & Del Moral Extend Lead

Although Birkirkara were one goal ahead, the two teams emerged into the second half fairly level-pegging for the first ten minutes. Neither side were quite able to break the defence, with both back-lines doing well to anticipate passes and denying any shooting opportunities.

Jose’ Borg reacted by making two changes in the 54th minute. Sara Saliba directly replaced Francesca Chircop. Meanwhile, Marta Grosso gave way to Nanako Kobayashi, who made her debut for the Stripes after being announced as a new signing last week. The Japanese defender slotted in the right-back position, pushing Alishia Sultana up into the forward wing role.

Rebecca Bajada made a surge forward in the middle of the park, before being thwarted by Caitlin Rogers who got a booking for her troubles, while Bajada needed some treatment. However, Birkirkara’s defence stood strong once more against the delivery.

The Stripes’ press forced a cheap mistake from Mgarr United’s defence for the second goal. An errant back-pass led into a poor clearance that Sara Saliba latched onto. Although her initial strike was saved by Patricia Ebejer, the ball deflected straight into the path of Alishia Sultana who made no mistake with the finish into the net to double the lead in the 58th minute.

The Greens had a free-kick opportunity in midfield which Birkirkara transformed into another counter-attack, but Alishia Sultana was unable to control her volley this time. The Stripes also could not add to their tally from a corner.

However, Birkirkara kept at it and extended their lead in the 65th minute. Veronique Mifsud played a clever through ball to Arianna Del Moral, who finished a left-footed goal into the near post, putting the match truly out of reach for the Greens.

Patrick Curmi made his first change an attacking one, swapping defender Leanne Cefai with attacker Kelly Agius Pace, prompting Anastasia Sivolobova to go into the centre-back partnership with Chantelle Grech, while Rebecca Bajada retreated into the right-back role.

Jose’ Borg also freshened things up in the 70th minute, bringing on Valentina Rapa instead of Caitlin Rogers. Rapa occupied the right-back role, while Kobayashi moved into the holding midfield position.

The Greens had an opportunity to put the ball into the box after Kelly Agius Pace was clipped in the 75th minute. However, Abigail Camilleri found only the side-netting. Luana Cabral made a forward surge a few minutes later, finding Fernanda Peinado on the wing, whose finish was wide before needing treatment in the aftermath. The Brazilian was brought off shortly after, replaced by Sarah Fenech.

Meanwhile, Jose’ Borg continued making more changes in his team, bringing on Raina Giusti in replacement of Arianna Del Moral. Veronique Mifsud also gave way to Ileana Farrugia, with the latter occupying the left-back position. Ann-Marie Said moved in front of the defence alongside Nanako Kobayashi.

There was no breaking Birkirkara’s defensive line for the Greens with the Stripes comfortable in reading play. Instead, Birkirkara found the fourth and final goal to wrap up the victory in the 86th minute. Birkirkara pressed a throw-in in midfield, with Ann-Marie Said flicking a boot to release Sara Saliba on the wing. The forward delivered a low cross which Alishia Sultana buried into the net at the far post.

Sara Saliba almost made it five after capitalising on a miscommunication between Mgarr’s defensive line and the goalkeeper. However, the youngster pulled it wide of the mark.

Final Score: Birkirkara 4 – 0 Mgarr United

Standings & Next Matches

Birkirkara hit the 40th point mark with the victory, while Mgarr United remain on 26 points in fourth place, with this marking a third consecutive defeat. Elsewhere, San Gwann emerged victorious against Mtarfa in the bottom-four group on the night.

The Stripes will next face Swieqi United on Thursday 25th at 20:15 at the Centenary Stadium. The Greens will be searching to bounce back against Hibernians on Friday 26th at the Victor Tedesco Stadium 20:30.

However, before then, the Assikura Women’s League weekend continues this Saturday (20th) with a top-four clash between Swieqi United and Hibernians at Mgarr Ground (14:00), followed by the bottom-four clash between Valletta and Lija Athletic (16:30).

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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