by Hibernians and Valletta will conclude the third weekend of the Assikura Women’s League this evening at Dingli Ground (20:30). Martina Borg and Anton Cremona gave their views on leading a predominantly young set of players in balancing leagues, while betting on professionalism as they eye a positive performance with several players facing their former club.
A Perfect Start Against An Uphill Challenge
Hibernians and Valletta will be meeting at Dingli Ground this evening, with both teams having had two weeks to mull over their opening two matches.
Hibernians head into it with two wins out of two and seeking to keep up with Mgarr United who also maintained their perfect start with yesterday’s 4 – 0 win against San Gwann. Hibernians’ last match saw them succumb to a rather soft free-kick from midfield, but they went on to control the match and win against Birkirkara by 2 – 1.
Coach Martina Borg gave her thoughts on the reaction to earn victory, “I thought it was a fair result, maybe we could have scored a bit more because I thought we dominated a lot of the game. It was a pity that we conceded after six minutes, especially in the manner that it was conceded. Though the wind played its part it was still a very soft goal to concede. However, I am very happy with the reaction that the team showed to overturn the score.”
Meanwhile, Valletta could not manage to get themselves on the scoresheet, ultimately falling to a 5 – 0 defeat to Mgarr United, not managing to capitalise despite changes on the pitch. “It was a tough one to digest against Mgarr. We know that they are a strong team and they are ones who are challenging for the championship. Sometimes you have to make changes because some players are not available.”
Anton Cremona has taken the reigns with a view of a long-term project, but questioned on the impact of the opening defeats on the bearings of the past weeks and the view ahead, he replied, “This is a long term project but we believe we are on the right track. It’s very difficult in this situation but we believe that we need to start win points to get more motivation.”
Development While Juggling U21 Commitments
The two teams feature some of the youngest average ages in their squads. Martina Borg has been an advocate of introducing young players, while Anton Cremona is leading both the senior and U21 teams at Valletta. The two coaches were asked to give their view on balancing things in view of the regulations limiting playing time between the two leagues following the opening weeks in the season.
Martina Borg remarked, “I think it’s important to invest time in youngsters and I’m happy to have managed to make nine substitutions across the two matches. It’s important for them to be consistent in the U21 league, which earns them the opportunity to play in the senior team when it is possible to give them time. The young players we have are very promising and they are important to us because they also bring a positive energy to the squad, so their contribution is important in various ways.”
The Hibernians coach continued, “I wished to give more minutes to some players but we must abide by the regulations and I still believe that their priority is for them to play in the U21 league which is where they can shine a bit more, build their skill and confidence. However, I will continue to give space to them at senior level as much as I can because they are the future protagonists of the team.”
Anton Cremona gave his view, “We want to give young players more experience, but it’s more complicated with the playing-time limit and we are trying to find the right balance. We are managing well to balance training sessions, where there are sessions together and separate sessions for the two groups.”
Swapped Shirts, Same Targets
The two sides come into it with opposing starts as Hibernians aim for a third consecutive victory, while Valletta still seek their first points. There will also be an additional battle as several from Hibernians face their former club, including Laura Muscat, Francesca Bartolo and Suzanne Farrugia Sacco. At the other end of the pitch, Valletta will get a boost in the return of their captain Joelma Alves Gabriel, who will be facing her former team.
Martina Borg believes the team must take to the pitch with the same attitude despite the circumstances, “We prepare the same way for every team we face. It’s important for players to take to the pitch focused which is a pitfall that is often a problem when there is a break. We’ve pushed in training so that hopefully we can continue our good form, have a good performance and earn the win.”
As to the potential differences in motivations within players facing their former teams, Martina Borg, “It’s true there’s a few players who have swapped sides. However, I think there’s a lot of respect, so I don’t expect it to raise any underlying motives other than to get the points, same as with any match.”
Anton Cremona is under no illusion on the challenge at hand, “As the games before, for us it’s going to be difficult game, but we are preparing to put our best foot forward. I think ex-players do their job with their clubs respectively.”
However, the Valletta coach was upbeat about starting to bring together performances that lift them in the table, “We are working hard to start winning points. We take things game by game and the important thing is to improve from the last game. We are a new team and it takes time.”
Hibernians and Valletta will conclude the third weekend of the Assikura Women’s League this evening at 20:30 at Dingli Ground.
Lead Image: Glenn Mizzi (Hibernians)
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