by Hibernians will be welcoming San Gwann at the Charles Abela Stadium this evening at 18:00. Martina Borg and Julian Camilleri weighed in on recent defeats, while giving insight into the impact of strategy and the footballing landscape on their objectives as they seek to start the second round on a positive note.
Fine Margins
Hibernians will be welcoming San Gwann this evening as the two teams look to kick-start their second round on a positive note. Hibernians head into the match following a narrow 1 – 0 defeat to Mgarr United, with the Paolites unable to overcome an early goal.
Martina Borg backed the side’s intensity in the match, “I think we conceded early with some deficiencies from our end. However, I think the team kept its concentration and kept pushing to score until the end. So, I think in truth, rather than an issue of intensity, we struggled to create some chances. However, we still had opportunities and I was happy with the attitude and effort from the players until the end.”
On the flip side, Mgarr United showed a maturity in managing their slender lead. Questioned about whether such fixtures against an experienced side showcase the inexperience in her own team, Martina Borg replied, “At the start of the season we knew that having such a young team, with an average age of twenty years, would bring positives but also challenges. However, I don’t think this inexperience was our downfall. On the contrary, I think our young players coming on gave us a push to create some late chances. I credit Mgarr for their approach to keep the ball away from their net as much as possible and they kept pushing for more as well.”
Meanwhile, San Gwann appeared to be onto something as they earned a penalty kick with the opportunity to make it 4 – 3 against Birkirkara. However, unable to convert, the side paid the price with Birkirkara blazing through to ultimately secure a 7 – 2 victory.
Julian Camilleri addressed queries regarding the penalty decision awarded to his team, “The penalty was a certainty, which has been confirmed by the images and the footage.”
Probed about the potential impact of scoring it on the final result, Camilleri continued, “I think we were much better in the second half, scored immediately and of course things would have been different had we scored the penalty. I believe we would have turned things around because of course the morale would be higher and we were having good momentum in the match. The pressure on Birkirkara would have been more and mistakes happen under pressure.”
San Gwann took to this year’s campaign with the target of destabilising the top four. Questioned on whether he believed the score portrayed the reality of his team’s position against these sides in view of that objective, Julian Camilleri reflected, “We had a lot of adversity in the opening round and took time to find ourselves on the pitch. We had a lot of new players who need time to adapt, players coming in following injury, and the 135-minute rule which affected how we balance our younger players. It’s true that everyone is subject to the same rules, but I think as a club we were harder hit because of our planned strategy.”
The 135-minute rule was finalised on the opening matchday of the Assikura Women’s Youth League.
He continued, “So, basically we’ve had to start from scratch to be able to reach this target. I believe we can do it. We have three more rounds and many things can happen.”
Will It Be As Close?
The two teams come into it chomping at the bit for points. The opening match saw San Gwann successfully hold off Hibernians for the first hour but ultimately succumbing to a 2 – 0 defeat.
Martina Borg was happy with the enthusiasm shown by the team during training ahead of tonight’s fixture, “We prepared well. We had a good atmosphere and a good week of training. San Gwann may be very compact and the smaller pitch might make it harder for us to penetrate. However, I think if we are patient, use our qualities and also the acquisitions that we have made, we can earn the victory.”
Julian Camilleri weighed the expectations of the match, “Hibernians are a very direct side. We managed to hold them off and were disciplined. So, the team is prepared for what we can face this evening. As always, the team that does the least mistakes is the one that wins. So, we must challenge for every ball and make the least mistakes.”
Several players from both sides met mid-week in the U21 league, with Hibernians delivering a dominating victory of 11 – 2. However, the dynamics change once experience comes into the fold. All will remain to be seen at the Charles Abela Stadium this evening at 18:00.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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