Hibernians And Swieqi United Fail To Ignite The Spark

Hibernians and Swieqi United appeared to be still reeling from an international break hangover, after playing out a goalless draw in a match that struggled to come to life.

Team Selections

Hibernians’ Zeeyana Jivraj stood in goal to face Swieqi United for the first time. There were no changes in defence from Keith Gouder, who stuck with Chloe Ellul, Amy Busuttil, Natalee Geren and Yolande Attard. Captain Martina Borg stood alongside Nicole Sciberras and Kayleigh Chetcuti in midfield. Sarah Urpani and Alexis Espitia provided the width to Leah Ayres in attack.

Meanwhile, Patricia Araujo also faced Hibernians for the first time in goal. Saviour Darmanin also stuck with his winning formula of Jade Schembri, Tammy Falzon, Rafanny Abache Mendoza and Emma Xuereb in defence. Jessica Dimech protected the defence with Shona Zammit and captain Dorianne Theuma creating further forward. Salamatu Abdulai continued leading the attack alongside Mariah Sciberras and Karima Abdulai.

How It Played Out

The game failed to live up to the expectations associated with the top-of-the-table encounter, perhaps clearly reflecting the disruption of the international break to the rhythm of the teams.

Hibernians were the first to attempt shots but both Sarah Urpani and Kayleigh Chetcuti fired over the bar, failing to capitalise Swieqi United’s wayward play early on. The Owls appeared to be on track for a shift in momentum when Dorianne Theuma hung up a ball from a free-kick which just needed a finishing touch. Despite this, Rafanny Abache Mendoza failed to get her head on the ball, missing it by a whisker.

Meanwhile, Hibernians’ Leah Ayres was doing well to capitalise on the confusion between the two Swieqi United centre-backs, winning her team a corner. However, the short-routine led to Martina Borg only finding the side-netting.

The Owls’ captain Dorianne Theuma worked Zeeyana Jivraj with a strike on the quarter hour mark, but the Canadian was well positioned to make the stop before the defence cleared.

Hibernians’ Nicole Sciberras won the ball in midfield to cajole the team off in the other direction. Captain Martina Borg carried the ball forward before playing a quick combination with Alexis Espitia. However, the cross from the byline was gobbled up by Patricia Araujo.

The Paolites Kayleigh Chetcuti had the opportunity to test the goalkeeper once more into the twentieth minute after winning a free-kick in a shooting position. However, her strike lacked the accuracy. Swieqi United responded with a corner where Mariah Sciberras picked out Karima Abdulai, but her header flew straight into Zeeyana Jivraj’s gloves.

With more than half-an-hour gone and weak opportunities created, Saviour Darmanin attempted to spark some life into the attack by swapping Mariah Sciberras and Karima Abdulai. However, the game kept lacking the quality in the final third, with the ball given cheaply or players succumbing to poor decision making.

Jessica Dimech attempted to go for the spectacular with an attempt from distance targeted toward the top left corner but she was just wide of the mark. At the other end, Kayleigh Chetcuti threw her hands in frustration after doing well to dart up the pitch, but undoing the work with a poor pass to release Sarah Urpani.

Swieqi United created a good attack close to the final five minutes of the half, with Jade Schembri ultimately picking out Mariah Sciberras. However, she could not find the net. Sciberras also attempted to find the net from a free-kick but was off target with the finish just before half-time.

Swieqi United won themselves another free-kick on the restart, to Hibernians protests who disagreed with the call. However, the Paolites were untroubled by the routine, with the defence focused on clearing in standard fashion.

Gouder’s side appeared to be onto something five minutes in with Chloe Ellul curling a ball toward Alexis Espitia who drifted into the box. The American attempted to loop in Nicole Sciberras who made the run forward, but the two were not on the same wavelength, instead sending the ball out for a goal-kick. It continued the recurring theme of the match as another opportunity faded away at the final ball.

Swieqi United’s Salamatu Abdulai worked Zeeyana Jivraj from distance close to the hour mark, but the goalkeeper was once again well positioned to make the save.

A few minutes later, Hibernians looked set to find an opening goal as they surged forward on the counter. However, Sarah Urpani’s cross toward Alexis Espitia was read by Emma Xuereb who tracked back well and cleared for a corner. Swieqi United attempted to counter back but Jade Schembri was ultimately closed out by Natalee Geren who cleared for a throw.

Saviour Darmanin looked to his bench in the 68th minute, bringing on Kaysia Micallef in a direct swap with Mariah Sciberras. Meanwhile, Emma Xuereb and Martina Borg were two of those attempting to spark some focus into the match.

However, Swieqi United were unable to make a corner count, before Patricia Araujo snuffed out another counter-attack from Hibernians, by gobbling up a cross from Leah Ayres intended to Sarah Urpani. She shortly made way for Nyorah Celeste, who slotted on the right wing for the final ten minutes, while Alexis Espitia moved to the left.

Having the onus on them to grab the three points, Swieqi United pushed Dorianne Theuma further into forward on the left, in attempt to get a four-pronged attack. Although Kaysia Micallef attempted to work something with Jade Schembri and Salamatu Abdulai on the right wing, it was another attack that fizzed away into nothing.

HIbernians had one final chance to capitalise on a miscued volley in midfield. Martina Borg latched onto the loose ball and released Alexis Espitia. However, the American’s shot was uncharacteristically meek and Patricia Araujo was well positioned to collect. Swieqi United could not make a final corner kick pay off, with the full-time whistle sending the teams home still dead-locked.

Final Score: Hibernians 0 – 0 Swieqi United

Next Matches and Standings

It is likely that neither will be happy with just the point. However, the draw will suit Hibernians more, taking their tally to 26 at the top. Swieqi United take theirs to 24, but relinquish second place to Birkirkara who won their match against San Gwann later in the afternoon. The Stripes are one point adrift of Hibernians and also have a game in hand.

Swieqi United will have a limited time to find their top-gear for the Super Cup final, which they play on Wednesday 13th at 15:00 in the Centenary Stadium against Birkirkara. Tickets for the final are available for purchase online for Swieqi United supporters, or from the Clubhouse for Birkirkara supporters.

Meanwhile, Hibernians will assess that match with keen eyes as they next welcome the Stripes in another direct league confrontation at the top of the table. That game will be played on Saturday 16th December at 14:00.

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