by San Gwann and Valletta could not be separated, ending the match in 1 – 1 draw, with the momentum of the match swinging from one team to the other across the ninety. Valletta’s Marcelle de Oliveira Julio broke the deadlock early on, but San Gwann’s Hailey Russell continued her form to ensure San Gwann went home with their first ever point against the Citizens. Both scorers were also denied by the woodwork.
Team Selections
Justyne Caruana continued her stay in goal for San Gwann. Kirstie Vella returned to defence alongside Nanako Kobayashi and Jeannelle Falzon. Naomi Blundell and captain Annabelle Rapa started on the wings, while Martina Schembri started in midfield alongside Chaimaa Tourki. Hailey Russell drove attacks behind the partnership of Shania Gheiti and Rabab Mhalli.
Valletta mirrored the setup with Jean Lopes continuing to show faith in Gabriella Grima, who was protected by the trio of Lisa Vella, Sabrin Blihi and Eduarda Martins Souza. Eunice Micallef and Suzanne Farrugia Sacco started on the wings, while Ylenia Grech and Monique Sultana occupied the centre of the park. Laura Muscat captained the side, starting in the number ten position, while Marcelle de Oliveira Julio partnered Anna Aloisio in attack.
How It Unfolded
Although the sides mirrored each other in formation, Valletta deployed a high defensive line, while San Gwann were more keen to deploy a low-block and strike on the counter-attack.
The two teams attempted to sneak an early surprise, with Lisa Vella perfectly positioned to deny Rabab Mhalli from finding Shania Gheiti in the box, who would have been poised for the strike. At the other end, Nanako Kobayashi shuffled across to deny Laura Muscat from successfully releasing Marcelle de Oliveira Julio into dangerous territory.
However, Justyne Caruana was the first to be called into action in the third minute, with Marcelle de Oliveira Julio released behind the San Gwann line by a perfectly weighted lob by Ylenia Grech. However, San Gwann’s goalkeeper reacted well to deny the Brazilian from close range.
Despite this, Marcelle de Oliveira Julio broke the deadlock with her first goal of the season in the 5th minute. She picked the ball in the centre just outside the box, before powering an effort into the left side of the goal.
San Gwann attempted to find the response through a free-kick shortly after. Rabab Mhalli picked out Nanako Kobayashi who rose well, but headed over the bar.
However, the team in white and red continued gunning for the second goal of the match. Marcelle de Oliveira Julio was denied by the post in the 15th minute, after being released with another well-weighted ball, this time from Monique Sultana. The Brazilian’s rebound effort was blocked by the defence.
San Gwann had a better spell of possession as the 20th minute rolled in, but struggled to make pressure from set-pieces and counter-attacks pay off. Meanwhile Valletta were still eyeing chances from their own set-pieces, with Sabrin Blihi firing one from the left wing to force a reaction from Justyne Caruana. However, Eunice Micallef skied the rebound to her dismay.
The Citizens continued creating good opportunities to extend their lead, fashioning two big opportunities in the 35th minute. Sabrin Blihi picked out the run of Eunice Micallef once more, who was just wide with the finish. A few seconds later, it was Ylenia Grech who won the ball in midfield before sending Marcelle de Oliveira Julio on her way in a quick transition. However, the Brazilian fizzed the attempt to the far corner, with Anna Aloisio unable to get there in time to get the touch to direct it into the net.
San Gwann responded with a splitting counter-attack that rang all sorts of alarms for Valletta, with Sabrin Blihi taking a booking for the team as Hailey Russell was gunning toward goal, released by Shania Gheiti. Russell took charge of the kick, just within range to fire one. However, the American was denied by the crossbar, before Shania Gheiti was off-target with the follow-through.
Half-Time Score: San Gwann 0 – 1 Valletta
There were no substitutions for either side at the break and San Gwann picked up right were they left off to secure the equaliser. Hailey Russell was released on the chase by an accurate slice across by Rabab Mhalli. The American powered past her marker before driving the effort low into the centre of the net to get her side on level terms.
Jean Lopes looked to his bench for the first time as the hour mark approached, with Megan La Rosa taking to the pitch on the left wing, while Laura Muscat gave way. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco drifted into the playmaking position. Julian Camilleri responded by bringing on Nilayza Attard, who replaced Shania Gheiti, with Attard taking to midfield releasing Hailey Russell in attack.
Attard got an immediate welcome to the match, trampling Marcelle de Oliveira Julio and immediately getting herself into Matteo Falzon’s book. However, Valletta were unable to make much of the opportunity from midfield.
San Gwann were actively seeking to utilise their momentum, with the team in Yellow becoming more potent on possession and winning the one against one battles in search of completing the comeback. The game twisted on its head, with Valletta becoming the side looking to utilise counter-attacks rather than enjoying the majority of possession.
Further changes ensued in search of refreshing the sides for the final throes of the match. Naomi Blundell was replaced by Fatma Al Girbi, who slotted in midfield, pushing Rabab Mhalli into the left wing, while Chaimaa Tourki partnered Hailey Russell in attack. Jean Lopes responded with a double swap, with Eunice Micallef and Suzane Farrugia Sacco replaced by Sarah Fenech and Alicia Mifsud, who slotted on either wing. Eduarda Martins Souza was released into midfield, while Megan la Rosa shifted to the centre-back trio.
The game continued to heat up, with San Gwann looking to impose themselves physically and unafraid to get into the faces of their opponents in search of driving forward. Pushed by Julian Camilleri from the sidelines, the team created the better attacks later on in the match. However, Lisa Vella was there to block Nilayza Attard from applying the finish to Hailey Russell’s cross, before Megan La Rosa headed out Fatma Al Girbi’s delivery from a free-kick. Lisa Vella was well positioned once more as Hailey Russell attempted to play a through ball for Chaimaa Tourki to sneak past the defence, before Valletta almost authored their own demise by handing possession cheaply in the latter stages.
The Citizens also attempted to work a corner, with Ylenia Grech picking out Eduarda Martins Souza at the near post, but the Brazilian was wide with the finish. Anna Aloisio also fizzed a ball across the face of goal, but Sarah Fenech was wayward with the finish from the tight angle at the far post. The side did drive a few sporadic counter-attacks, but were unable to work Justyne Caruana, with the sides walking home locked level.
Final Score: San Gwann 1 – 1 Valletta
Next Matches
San Gwann end the first round with their first point against Valletta, to further boost the momentum shown in the opening matches. They take their tally to seven points in fifth, but Valletta remain in close proximity on five points.
San Gwann will have a point to prove as they kick-start round two against the defending champions Birkirkara, with the latter having dealt a big defeat in the first match of the season. They meet on Saturday (19th) at Dingli Ground at 15:00.
On the other hand, Valletta will have a short turnaround and a chance to push themselves forward against Lija Athletic on Thursday 17th at the Centenary Stadium, with the match starting at 20:15.
Until then, this afternoon presents the final two matches of the first round, beginning with another highly anticipated clash between Swieqi United and Mgarr United at 15:00, to be followed by Lija Athletic against Hibernians (17:30). Both matches will be played at Dingli Ground.
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