by Hibernians will be welcoming Lija Athletic at the Charles Abela Stadium at 20:30 tonight. Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino gave his take on the team’s evolution in the year he’s been in charge, while Lija’s Jethron Azzopardi underlined the importance of strengthening as the side looks to push further in their second season back. The two gave their insight into preparing for such David and Goliath encounters.
UPDATE 12:45 PM – MATCH CANCELLED – WALKOVER YIELDED – The Malta Football Association has advised that the match has been abandoned as a walk-over was yielded by Lija Athletic this morning. Details for the walk-over are not public.
Dealing With Change
Hibernians will be welcoming Lija Athletic at the Charles Abela Stadium in a final match before the league split comes into effect, which will send them their separate ways. This, as second-placed Hibernians prepare to take their title challenge forward, while seventh placed Lija Athletic look to fight for a best-placed finish in the bottom four.
The Paolites’ Kenneth Costantino took over the team mid-way through last season. Questioned about his team’s evolution over the past year to be in this position, he replied, “Coaching is a complex business and although football is a simple game, it requires a great deal of planning and a strong work ethic by everyone involved. Having a strong coaching philosophy and a game model are essential elements to bringing out the best from your players. I think that during these twelve months we instilled a strong work ethic and a sense of belonging where each player knows what is expected from them.”
He continued, “We worked to improve the girls in all domains – be it physical technical, tactical and psychological, and together with the club we have provided facilities, staff and environment to thrive. We do not compromise on any areas. There is a feeling of wanting to give the best.”
On the other hand, Jethron Azzopardi led Lija Athletic on their return to the competition at the beginning of last season. Despite a lot of change in the team, he is one of just two coaches in the league who have led their teams for more than a year.
Questioned about stabilising his squad into a more competitive side, Azzopardi confirmed the team has been looking to bolster its ranks, “Going into the holidays the club has worked to re-enforce the team and squad depth. We are still facing injuries but we should be full force for the second phase.”
On Recruitment
Indeed, the two teams both have had a busy end to 2024 in terms of evolving their squads. Hibernians captured the services of Sarah Vella Barberi on loan before Christmas, with Rodianne Zerafa making the switch to Valletta. The team also confirmed the signature of former Valletta defender, Georgiana Mifsud, who makes a return to the league having not yet appeared in Valletta colours this season.
The Hibernians’ coach was probed about the attributes that made Mifsud the clubs’ choice, as opposed to other players in the Maltese or foreign market. He said, “As a club we took a decision to invest in providing players with the environment to grow. When we recruited our foreigners we always remained true to our objectives. Likewise, when we recruit local players we look for particular traits, characteristics, and mostly their attitude and behaviour.”
Reflecting on the recruitment of both Vella Barberi & Mifsud, he finished, “Like all the players who joined this season, both Sarah and Georgiana are hard-working young players, with a will to learn and huge potential. We look to retain the stability in the team dynamics, whilst ensuring they fit in our model and principles of play. For us these recruitments were the obvious choices.”
Meanwhile, having faced plenty of departures, while also promoting a few U19 players to the senior team, Lija Athletic’s Jethron Azzopardi confirmed the onboarding of new players was still key to their next steps. “It was important that at this point the club invested into new faces, so that we could go into the next round stronger.”
Costantino Eyeing Strong End To Phase, Azzopardi Laments Top Sides’ Approach
The two teams will be meeting at Charles Abela Stadium, with the confines of the pitch having been thrown into plenty of spotlight throughout the season.
The Paolites’ Kenneth Costantino was questioned on whether he prefers a match such as this to ease new recruits and also his team into competition following the Christmas break. “We have played against San Ġwann on this pitch. I do not want to go into the argument of pitch/facility adequacy being allocated as it becomes boringly repetitive. However, I am more concerned about the return to football after the break. We did our best to prepare our players for this game and the nine to follow.”
Looking toward the fixture, Costantino praised the professionalism the squad to prepare, despite the break and the league’s amateur status, “Likewise, the girls were very diligent about retaining their form, having even cut holidays short to return to training as scheduled, whilst managing their personal things in a truly admirable way. Although not a direct confrontation it is a challenge which we will embrace. I am sure our players will give their utmost to prove their worth.”
On the other hand, questioned on whether it will be damage limitation or if they will throw caution to the wind in view attempting to attack, Jethron Azzopardi was critical of the top sides’ approach to such matches against developing sides.
He said, “We will be cautious as we are aware of what we are facing. Personally, to me it really makes no sense that top clubs do not give the experience to the young players against teams like us and Mtarfa. This is what I have experienced in the (first) phase. We see high scores against bottom teams. However, one questions why as coach you have to be 4-0 up to introduce a sixteen or seventeen year old.”
The two sides will take to the pitch in the Charles Abela Stadium at 20:30.
Lead Images: GM Graphics – Hibernians Women / Elise Bajada
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