by The Assikura Women’s League asked for plenty from its players, but while goalscorers tend to get the glory, goalkeeper Patricia Aruajo continued earning praises for her ability to deny them. The Brazilian goalkeeper discussed the key to the title and the secret behind the realised dream of earning the chance to play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League this summer.
The Key To The Title
It has been a week since the dust settled on the 2024/25 Assikura Women’s League. Patricia Araujo was a stalwart for Swieqi United in goal as they took their title charge to fruition for the first time.
The Brazilian was into her second season with the side after joining from Brazilian giants, Corinthians. She beamed of lifting the Assikura Women’s League trophy, “There is quality in the squad but there are also a lot of young players who don’t have experience. However, day by day they grew and I believe all of us grew together toward one goal, the players, the coaches and the club together with the President, to get this league.”
The Brazilian goalkeeper gave some insight into what she believed was the key to the success this year, “We changed the way we worked throughout the season. We trained harder and with more intensity. Dorianne (Theuma) always told us that the better we train, the better we play on the pitch, and I think the whole squad believed in this. So, whether it was raining or sunny, we worked hard every day and we never stopped. We believed in what Dorianne said to us at the beginning and kept working.”
Consistency In Goal In The Face Of Pressure
While followers of the women’s league amassed great respect toward Patricia Araujo’s goalkeeping qualities early into her first appearances last season, there is no doubt that this year the Brazilian took this admiration to a further notch.
The Super Cup final brought into sharp focus her ability to consume pressure and build from the back, as the side arguably scored the most well-worked team goal of the season. However, her precision in longer distribution was effectively used especially toward the latter end as Swieqi United sought to shift things in attack to get the better of their rivals in the final phase.
As Swieqi United’s defence consolidated, the Brazilian continued rising to the challenge with them, commanding the air in deliveries, while offering confidence behind an already strong defensive line to ultimately secure seventeen clean sheets and the best goal difference in the league (48).
In a list of crucial saves, perhaps none will stick out as much as the two penalties against Mgarr. Although the rebound went in on the one in the second round of the final phase, with the side ultimately losing by 2 – 0, the Brazilian made sure to get distance on the save in the opening of the final round. It was pivotal to tilt the balance for the title with the highest confidence for the penultimate match of the season.
Discussing that crucial penalty, Patricia Araujo recollected, “Especially against Mgarr, Rafanny (Mendoza Abache) and I spoke about the possibility of a penalty and what I would do. We thought Valeria (Villegas Caly) would shoot on my left because she had done so in a previous match. I also saved that but they scored still. I went the same way and this time I saved the ball stronger and I was very happy to do so for my team. That game was very important for us.”
The Dream Will Be Realised
The very first conversation I had with Patricia Araujo was two years ago, back when her name was new for Malta and her goalkeeping qualities were yet to grace the domestic league. Back then, the Brazilian curled her lips into a smile as she spoke of the dream to play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Today, it is clear that the dream will be realised.
She beamed as she recollected the moment, “I am very very happy. I remember when I said this to you, and I am very happy we have gotten here.”
However, back when she joined, she was also clearly aware of the disappointments that Swieqi United had faced in the past in chasing this target. Still, there was belief in her that perhaps Birkirkara’s dominance had dimmed in others.
There was a real intensity in her words as the Brazilian spoke of the sacrifices put into a dream, which had no certainty, except the trust in a process to get better, “I believe that when you work hard toward the thing you want and focus on that goal, you will get there. Today, I am here because I put work every day since I came here, not only inside the pitch but also outside. I train extra, I watch the matches and look where I can improve and where I can help my centre-backs and the team. It’s all just about putting the work and I am very happy we have this opportunity.”
However, prior to that, the Swieqi United goalkeeper will return with the Owls as they chase the treble with the final piece of silverware, the Assikura Women’s Knockout. The competition begins on the 19th of April, where they will meet Hibernians.
Lead Images: Elise Bajada
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