Hibernians Make Back-To-Back Finals With Victory Over Swieqi

Hibernians’ Kayleigh Chetcuti scored the only goal in extra time to take the Paolites into the final for the second season in a row. Defending champions, Swieqi United, bowed out with ten players on the pitch following a direct sending off. The match also marks the end to Dorianne Theuma’s playing career at club level, against her former club.

Team Selections

Patricia Araujo started in goal for Swieqi United. Rafanny Abache Mendoza returned to the starting eleven alongside Tammy Falzon, while Jade Schembri and Thea Ida Scicluna provided the width in defence. Shona Zammit captained the side, starting in midfield alongside Michaela Cachia, while Salamatu Abdulai operated further forward. Kaysia Micallef and Jade Flask started on the wings, while Karima Abdulai led the attack.

There were no changes in goal for Hibernians either, with Maya Muscat continuing to occupy the space between the posts. Amber Galea partnered Natalee Geren in defence, while Chloe Ellul and Kiley Norkus provided the width. Nicole Sciberras continued to captain the side in the absence of Martina Borg. She protected the defence, while Amy Busuttil and Kayleigh Chetcuti started further forward in midfield. Leah Ayres led the attack, while Alexis Espitia and Sarah Urpani occupied the flanks.

How It Unfolded

Hibernians started the match with the gusty wind in their backs. Natalee Geren had the first opportunity to put the ball into the box from a free-kick. She opted for a low delivery, which Kayleigh Chetcuti helped on, but Patricia Araujo was untroubled.

Swieqi United looked to build patiently from the back, but neither side really managed to create too much in the opening half, while the majority of play happened in Swieqi United’s defensive half. Natalee Geren was first to test Patricia Araujo with a long-range effort but the Brazilian was unfazed.

Hibernians looked to capitalise on the wind factor with a long ball from the back, which Alexis Espitia rushed onto but went too deep, closing the angle for the shot. The American was forced into a cut-back toward Kayleigh Chetucti, but Michaela Cachia got a foot in for a corner.

The Paolites could not capitalise, in what set out to be a series of opportunities gone begging. The best attempt was a header from Natalee Geren, which Jade Schembri blocked, before Geren’s rebound shot was fired straight into Alexis Espitia taking away the chance once more.

On the other hand, the attack led to an injury for Leah Ayres, who was eventually forced off, replaced by Nyorah Celeste in the 38th minute. Celeste slotted on the wing, while Alexis Espitia led the attack.

Swieqi United’s Shona Zammit launched a free-kick which Kayleigh Chetcuti cleared, before Michaela Cachia’s rebound earned appeals from the Owls for a penalty due to handsball, which the referee dismissed. Kaysia Micallef made a final burst in injury time through midfield, but it fizzled away too as the half was brought to close.

Hibernians’ Alexis Espitia kicked things off for her team with a cross that Sarah Urpani attempted to direct, but Patricia Araujo made the save. Swieqi United’s bench were encouraged as Shona Zammit took two players on before crossing from the byline to earn the team a corner. However, Hibernians were untroubled.

The game opened up somewhat, with both sides starting to find more space, however neither really troubling the goalkeepers. The Paolites had a good opportunity to work the goalkeeper from a free-kick but Kiley Norkus’s attempt was blocked by the Owls. Amber Galea instilled some vigour into the match with a dart up the pitch but the door was shut before getting into dangerous territory.

Dorianne Theuma came onto the pitch in the 80th minute in what will have been her last bow at club level. She replaced Kaysia Micallef. The veteran announced her entrance with a half-volley from outside the box that had the goalkeeper scrambling. Despite landing just above the crossbar, it was a shot that injected some belief into the Owls’ supporters. Swieqi United’s number six worked Maya Muscat once more with an in-swinging corner, which the young goalkeeper got a good palm on to keep her team in it.

Still, Hibernians took things to the next level as the ninety drew to a close. Alexis Espitia was dispatched by Sarah Urpani with a well weighted through pass that the American attempted to send her team to sure win at the dying moments. However, Patricia Araujo made the save and then cleared the loose ball for good measure. Espitia was on the run again shortly after, sending a looped ball over the top, which Nyorah Celeste attempted to head home. However, the height took away the chance, with extra-time required to settle the match.

Hibernians continued where they left off, with Sarah Urpani trying to release Kayleigh Chetcuti, but the chance was snuffed out by Patricia Araujo. Hibernians’ continued utilising the link up between Chetcuti and Urpani well, while Alexis Espitia was running riot on the right wing. However, the cross was gobbled up by Patricia Araujo. Dorianne Theuma responded with another effort from distance but the central shot was caught by Maya Muscat.

Despite this, drama went into another level as Alexis Espitia looked to run straight on goal, before Rafanny Abache Mendoza pulled the American, denying her the chance to have a go at the goalkeeper. The referee brandished a straight red, while giving Hibernians the chance for another direct strike right outside the penalty box. Kiley Norkus struck low, but her effort was deflected wide for a corner.

The red card prompted a shift for Jade Flask into the centre of the defence, while Shona Zammit filled in on the left flank. Hibernians’ Nicole Sciberras made a forward run looking to stretch the Owls, before finding Alexis Espitia. However, Jade Flask shut the door with two tackles before sending Swieqi United in the other direction. Still Hibernians returned once more, with Alexis Espitia this time linking with Nyorah Celeste, whose low effort was saved by Patricia Araujo before the change of ends.

Kenneth Costantino brought on Yolande Attard in a direct switch with Sarah Urpani at the beginning of the final fifteen minutes of extra time, where Hibernians were now playing in favour of the wind.

Shona Zammit kicked things off for the Owls attempting to release Karima Abdulai, but Maya Muscat was first to the ball. Michaela Cachia was next to try to get things going on the left flank but the door was shut by Chloe Ellul.

Jessica Dimech made her first return from injury in the 107th minute, in replacement of Thea Ida Scicluna. Dimech slotted in the centre of the defence, while Jade Flask moved into left back.

Hibernians were off on the front foot once more through Yolande Attard, whose cross was headed away by Jade Flask, before she also put a block to Amy Busuttil’s rebound effort.

Having driven the forward momentum, Hibernians finally secured the winning goal through Kayleigh Chetcuti. The number seven made a dart behind the two centre-backs, latching onto a curled low ball. Chetcuti sent it home with a low effort between the goalkeeper’s legs, before pointing to the badge in celebration.

Swieqi United attempted to find their way back into it, with Jade Flask going forward into attack. One final attempt ensued with Dorianne Theuma curling a cross toward Jade Flask, with the header curling wide to the full-time whistle.

Final Score AET: Swieqi United 0 – 1 Hibernians

The Final & A Sombre Farewell

The result sees Hibernians make it to back-to-back finals in the competition, while the defending champions bow out of the competition at the semi-final stage.

The match also marks the end to Dorianne Theuma’s illustrious journey as a player at club level, against her former club, Hibernians. While sombre in its end for the player, perhaps it perfectly lives up to the intertwined journey between the two, that remained until the end.

Hibernians will contend the final against Birkirkara on Saturday 27th April at 18:00 at the Centenary Stadium.

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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