by Hibernians and San Gwann will initiate proceedings in today’s double-header at 15:00 at Mgarr Ground. Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino hit back at biased claims in the wake of the encounter against Birkirkara, while urging the authorities to treat the women’s game with the respect it deserves in officiation and venue management. The Hibernians’ coach is prepared to face a tough San Gwann side, with Julian Camilleri pushing his troops to continue showing their improvements against the league leaders.
Costantino Joins Calls For Women’s League To Be Given Due Respect
It is still early in the season, but plenty of mud has been thrown in view of crucial officiating decisions during last week’s top of the table encounter between Birkirkara and Hibernians.
However, Kenneth Costantino has hit back at claims of bias for his team during the match, “In terms of officiating, everyone is talking about things going our way. Yet we had a call for a penalty when Alexis (Espitia) was brought down in the initial stages of the second half. Besides we conceded the second goal from a non-existent free-kick against us. Officiating mistakes are always concerning, and last season we had many decisions which went against us.”
Indeed, Costantino was among the most vocal coaches last year, urging a deeper look at the level of officiation and venue selection in the women’s league, in search of enabling the level to increase rather than it being held back by the poor level.
Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino did not mince his words when asked a question similar to the one presented to Birkirkara coach, Vince Galea, and Valletta coach, Jean Lopes, about the need for the Malta Football Association to address the growing concerns in order to enable the women’s league footballing level to continue to rise.
He said, “Until the Association accepts the fact that women’s football merits the same level of officials as the Premier league and Challenge League, we will always have such issues. I beg to ask, would the same team of officials be deployed in the men’s Premier League game of Birkirkara against Hibernians? I think that would answer many of the questions.”
While main officials are the ones to typically get the first line of fire, it has been evident week on week that the assistant referees deployed to the women’s league have often been of poor quality as well. The number of erroneous offside calls continue to rise with each week, while the number of times that the assistant referees look to the main official, or even worse to players, to decide simple throw-in calls belittles the game.
Looking at today’s double-header, the fixtures in the Assikura Women’s League have once again been relegated to the Mgarr Ground without much explanation. The Hibernians’ coach was sharp in his words once more, “With regards to your question about playing at Mgarr, again I beg to ask- why are all of the senior male games played on bigger and more appropriate pitches, but women play on pitches which the association deem inadequate for male senior teams? These decisions indicate that we are still not appreciating the strides done by women in football. We can talk for ages, but actions speak a thousand words.”
Rising Above The Noise
Hibernians will be welcoming San Gwann with the aim of securing a victory to maintain the leadership in the table this afternoon. However, San Gwann come into the match with their own agenda as they continue to chip away at the top teams of the league.
The Paolites secured a 3-2 victory against Birkirkara last week to lift themselves to the top of the table in a match where they did not control possession, but were clinical with chances created. Kenneth Costantino weighed in on the teams’ exploits, “As you said, effectiveness is key. During the first half we earned a two-goal lead, twice. I believe with merit as well. With that in mind, we opted to allow Birkirkara possession and the onus to open us up.”
Asked whether he was happy with the team’s implementation of his tactics, Costantino replied, “I think it’s difficult to be perfect at any level of the game, but in the given circumstances I believe we took the correct tactical decision. Keeping in mind that we played the reigning champions, you are expected to suffer pressure, especially at the end. From an individual point, I think we made some individual errors which I believe could have been easily avoided.”
Meanwhile, San Gwann were the first to break the deadlock against Mgarr United, effectively using their counter-attacking abilities to stun the Greens. However, could not successfully keep the Greens at bay, ultimately falling to a 4-1 defeat.
Asked about whether this represents the next level for his team’s trajectory, Julian Camilleri replied, “Mgarr are a strong team and we knew that we would be punished for the smallest mistake. We must maintain concentration throughout the match to avoid silly mistakes which cost us against these teams.”
A Direct Clash Of System
Although a back-three system has been on the rise in the women’s league this year, Hibernians and San Gwann have been the two sides which have rather stuck to it the most, with the exception of Valletta. This presents a different battle this afternoon as the two seek to open up the spaces.
The system deploys a wing-back position which requires a balance of attributes rather unique in its kind. Probed about developing players in this position, Kenneth Costantino replied, “Ileana (Farrugia), Chloe (Ellul) and Yolande (Attard) are working hard to understand what we ask from them. However, tactically we see the whole team in its functionality. Positional play is a very important element in today’s game and like every other position, theirs is fundamental to our principles of play.”
Although thus far limited to counter-attacking against top opposition, San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri was also upbeat about the strides made and looking forward to seeing the team continuing to make positive steps, “We’ve made big improvements since last year, as well as strengthening with new signings. We cannot make miracles, but I believe we are on the right track. Just as we saw improvements last season, so are we seeing more forward steps this year. I am sure that there is more to come.”
Looking at this afternoon’s match, Kenneth Costantino has given the opponent plenty of thought, especially with the added complication of the match being played at Mgarr Ground. He said, “I have watched a few games of theirs and as always we will tweak our tactics to reflect needs. Definitely, without any doubt, San Gwann have improved considerably, but then so did we. The girls know well enough that I will accept no complacency. I will accept mistakes, because they are inevitable, but working hard, and a never-give-up attitude are non-negotiable.”
On the other hand, San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri admitted that the team will go into it with the aim of keeping the Paolites at bay, “Our first aim is to avoid conceding goals. We must use possession smartly and avoid silly mistakes, especially in defence. However, if we are disciplined and play the match according to our preparations then I believe we should have a good performance.”
The match will begin at 15:00 and will be followed by the encounter between Mtarfa and Swieqi United (17:30). Both matches will be played at Mgarr Ground.
Lead Images: Lara Schembri
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[…] was not supposed to play host to any Assikura Women’s League matches this season, Costantino re-iterated the disappointment voiced in recent weeks over playing in this venue. He said, “The venue change is an issue which I personally did not like. Playing such a game […]