by Hibernians and Birkirkara will initiate the semi-finals of the Women’s Jubilee Cup this evening at 20:00 at the Centenary Stadium. Martina Borg & Billy Mock weighed in on the impact of a potential trophy on the season’s trajectory as the two navigate waters in their first season in charge of their teams.
Experience & Grit
Hibernians and Birkirkara will be meeting for the third time this season, but the two will have a place in the final in mind as they attempt to earn themselves one of three available trophies for the season.
Hibernians head into it following a free-flowing game of football against Valletta, walking home with a 7 – 0 win. Martina Borg was happy with the performance shown by the team, “I was happy not only with the result, but the way in which the team delivered the football. It is rewarding to see the team build play in the manner that we have trained for. Additionally, I was also happy that players who perhaps did not have as much playing time in other matches also played minutes and contributed effectively.”
On the flip side, Birkirkara struggled to hold on to an early lead against Swieqi United, with the side ultimately walking away empty handed in a 4 – 1 defeat. Billy Mock rejected that the team invited pressure after taking the lead, giving his view of the match, “No, it was expected that after we scored Swieqi would react immediately with the experienced players they have. However, we conceded the first goal from our error when building up a counter-attack, and our goalkeeper was caught off balance by the lob-shot from far out, with Shona Zammit finding the net for the equaliser.”
The Prospect Of A Final
While the season brings with it an opportunity to develop, a cup semi-final brings with it unique excitement as the team edges closer to silverware with no room for error.
Both Hibernians and Birkirkara have glittering histories in the game, but are led by different coaches this season. The two were asked for their take on the potential impact of taking the trophy home on their trajectory this year.
Having walked onto the pitch as captain of the team for the past three years and taking the role as head coach this year, Hibernians’ Martina Borg replied, “It’s a special cup, also considering that it is mid-way through the season so everyone’s season is in full swing. I think players should be looking forward to this and it’s an exciting cup. Earning a place in a final is always special and as a team we’ve been in the final of the Knockout every year for the past three years, but have walked away empty handed so maybe we were never quite there for some reason or other to overcome that final obstacle.”
Borg called on her team to put their best foot forward, “However, I believe that players now know exactly what to expect, and that if we put our maximum effort on the pitch this afternoon, we should be good enough to earn ourselves another go.”
Billy Mock brings plenty of experience in coaching duties, but is likewise in his first year at Birkirkara. Questioned on the impact of a trophy considering the team’s transition from an experienced & trophy-laden past few years, Mock replied with no uncertainty, “Whatever team you have, one plays to win, especially in a knockout competition where a draw is no good.”
Hibs Walk In With The Upper Hand
The Paolites have clinched maximum points against the Stripes this year, but once again Birkirkara have also relinquished a lead in a game against Hibernians.
Martina Borg was tested about the confidence within the team to earn a commanding win for a place in the final, “We’ve played against them twice and won both. However, this doesn’t matter much, in the end what matters is what you do on the day on the pitch. Everything tonight depends on our attitude and the effort we put into the match. It’s exciting to get the opportunity to play in a final if everything goes well, but we must keep our feet on the ground and work for it.”
Questioned whether more determination is needed from his team to hold on to slender early leads, Billy Mock replied, “We should play like we did in the first thirty minutes. We created a few goal-mouth chances in which we did not find the net. Then came that lob-shot from well outside the area, which ended up in our net for Hibs to take the lead. It was a shock for the whole team, and our performance had a setback, and now Hibs came more into the picture. Obviously, they have many more experienced players than we have, plus a very fast striker up front, too. All I ask from my players is to do their best and not to give up.”
Extra-time and penalties await should the team not be separated at the ninety. The two teams will kick-off at 20:00 at the Centenary Stadium. The other semi-final will be played between Swieqi United and Mgarr United tomorrow at 17:30 at the same stadium.
Lead Image: RPC Photo MT
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