by Birkirkara & Swieqi United could not find the winner for the three points on Thursday, with the two locked at 1 – 1 at the end of the ninety. Mariah Cardona’s opener was cancelled on the restart by Salamatu Abdulai. Birkirkara were denied by the crossbar, but kept themselves in it with Janice Xuereb saving Rafanny Mendoza Abache’s effort from the penalty spot.
Team Selections
Janice Xuereb captained Birkirkara once more on her second consecutive start this season. She was protected by a back line consisting of Charlene Zammit, Calista Schechinger and Valentina Rapa. Mariah Cardona and Lara May Azzopardi started on the wings, while Viverly Erazo and Gabriella Zahra occupied the midfield. Luana Vitoria Cabral supported Erica Bispo and Alishia Cassar in attack.
Patricia Araujo continued her stay in goal for Swieqi United, behind the quartet of Emma Xuereb, Rafanny Mendoza Abache, Tammy Falzon and Jade Schembri. Michaela Cachia continued as the holding midfielder behind the partnership of captain Shona Zammit and Sarah Urpani. Salamatu Abdulai was trusted in the playmaker’s position, behind the front duo of Jade Flask and Karima Abdulai.
How It Unfolded
Birkirkara had the larger pressure for the points and the defending champions took to the field with the most enthusiasm, showing the brighter start from the two. The side looked to work the width of the pitch to good effect, earning two corner opportunities early on. However, Swieqi United saw away the danger. It took some time for Swieqi United to find their own way into the box, but they two managed to earn successive corners, but could not convert.
The match progressed with a good pace, with Birkirkara having the majority of constructed attacks. However, defences were ready to deny efforts, with the two goalkeepers relatively untroubled in the first fifteen minutes.
Mariah Cardona created a half-chance by going direct through the middle with a pass for Erica Bispo. However, Rafanny Mendoza Abache shut the door. The side worked another good opportunity with a cross from Lara May Azzopardi finding Viverly Erazo’s run into the box. However, the Colombian pulled the effort wide with the first-timed finish.
With alarm bells ringing, Swieqi United attempted to return pressure. Sarah Urpani threaded a pass to Salamatu Abdulai, who let fly from outside the box. Valentina Rapa blocked the first shot, with Urpani’s rebound deflected for a corner.
However, the Owls paid dearly. Janice Xuereb collected the delivery before handing the ball to Calista Schechinger. She played a pass cutting right through midfield into Alishia Cassar who spread it wide to Mariah Cardona. Birkirkara’s number twenty-three cut to her right foot at the byline, before curling it into the top far corner of the net and running off in celebration just shy of the 20th minute.
However, the jubilation was short-lived as Swieqi United equalised at the restart. The side worked the ball to Emma Xuereb who combined with Jade Flask. The forward found Salamatu Abdulai who overlapped out wide. The Ghanaian took one look at the net and fired a low ball into the net to put Swieqi United back on level terms.
Back on level terms, the two sides continued to grapple with control for the match. Karima Abdulai attempted an effort from distance which landed just wide, while at the other end Alishia Cassar was released on the shoulder but the cross was anticipated by Patricia Araujo.
Birkirkara were denied from going into the lead again close to the half-hour mark from a direct free-kick. Alishia Cassar earned the side the chance just outside the box. Luana Vitoria Cabral hit with pace right at the centre of the net, but clipping the crossbar with the effort.
Birkirkara avoided potentially heading into the break on the losing side of the score a few minutes later. Karima Abdulai pushed forward on the right wing, before cutting it to Salamatu Abdulai who played the first-timer to find Jade Flask’s run at the left post. However, Viverly Erazo made the interception to deny the forward the chance for the shot. On the other hand, Birkirkara had the better opportunities in the opening half, but still went into the break level.
Swieqi United appeared jolted at the restart, working the ball to better effect and starting to find spaces behind the Birkirkara defence much more frequently. However, the side still lacked the final shot to trouble Janice Xuereb.
Michaela Cachia continued her hard-work in midfield, finding the combination with Jade Flask before Karima Abdulai was released into space. However, the cross was too close to Janice Xuereb who was alert at the near post.
Birkirkara picked their moments to go forward, with a combination between Erica Bispo and Luana Vitoria Cabral working well for the shot. However, Patricia Araujo was not troubled from the tight angle. The two Brazilians worked a corner to good effect, with Bispo firing but finding Jade Schembri ready to clear on the line.
The Owls continued searching to go into the lead for the first time. Karima Abdulai crossed a ball into the box which had the right idea to find Sarah Urpani’s unmarked run, but lacked the depth to cause trouble.
However, Swieqi United earned themselves a real chance to go into the lead as Salamatu Abdulai hit the deck following contact in the box in the 67th minute. Rafanny Mendoza Abache took charge of the penalty, but Janice Xuereb made the block to her right side to keep her side on level terms.
Despite not managing the goal, Swieqi United had the better momentum in the match, with Birkirkara focused on keeping them out. The Owls were often forced wide but finding cut-backs and crosses intercepted well. There was scarce space for a shot, but Shona Zammit did manage to fire on target close to the 70th minute, though finding Janice Xuereb alive to the danger.
The Swieqi skipper dipped a cross into the box a few moments later, but Charlene Zammit was first to it ahead of Karima Abdulai. Janice Xuereb palmed away the resulting corner.
Birkirkara mounted a resurgence with a cross from Erica Bispo landing into the hands of Patricia Araujo. Tammy Falzon was first to a corner delivery a few moments later, with the two defences continuing to earn the plaudits. Birkirkara’s Mariah Cardona continued to be a real creative outlet, with a dart into midfield before finding Lara May Azzopardi in support. However, the cross was dealt with by Rafanny Mendoza Abache.
Vince Galea made the only change in the match, bringing on Izabella Camilleri in midfield, while Lara May Azzopardi gave way. However, the solid defending continued. Camilleri was found by Viverly Erazo as she darted into the box, but the cut-back to Erica Bispo was read by Rafanny Mendoza Abache. Erica Bispo and Alishia Cassar combined as well a few moments later, but the effort was easy for Patricia Araujo to gather.
Swieqi United had the final opportunities, with Jade Schembri launching for Karima Abdulai to dart forward. The Ghanaian made a good run into the box, taking on two players, but finding Luana Vitoria Cabral ready to shut the door for a corner. The Birkirkara defence stood strong once more to clear the ball to safety, sending the teams home deadlocked.
Final Score: Birkirkara 1 – 1 Swieqi United
Standings & International Break
The two teams shared the points, as did Hibernians & Mgarr United. The top four head into the international break with Swieqi United equal on points with Hibernians (39), Mgarr United in third on 36, while Birkirkara sit fourth on 34. However, Swieqi United and Mgarr United have a game in hand.
This afternoon will conclude league commitments before the international break, as San Gwann take on Lija Athletic at 14:00, followed by Valletta and Mtarfa at 16:30. Both matches will be played at Dingli Ground.
The weekend gives way to the return of the UEFA Women’s Nations League.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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