Inter Show Strengths Against Battling Hibernians

Inter Women made good on their training camp as they beat Hibernians by 12 – 0 in a friendly yesterday evening. Haley Bugeja claimed the match-ball, with Elisa Polli also delivering a brace. Marie Detruyter, Masa Tomasevic, Lina Magull, Elisa Bartoli, Martina Tomaselli, Benedetta Glionna and Henrietta Csiszar completed the scoring.

Team Selections

Maya Cachia started in goal for Hibernians, behind a defensive quintet. Amy Catania started in the trio with Natalee Geren and Jessica Dimech, with Cali Schechinger and Georgiana Mifsud offering the width. Captain Nicole Sciberras started in front of the defence, with Kayleigh Chetcuti and Olivia Nazarko for company. Sylivia Kabene led the attack with Sarah Vella Barberi.

Meanwhile, Elena Belli started in goal for a shuffled Inter side. Elisa Bartoli shored up the defence with Lidia Consolini and Caroline Pleidrup. Olivia Schough and Chiara Robustellini offered the width, with the experienced Lina Magull orchestrating in midfield with Masa Tomasevic and Marie Detruyer. Haley Bugeja captained the side for the occasion, partnering Nikee Van Dijk in attack.

How It Unfolded

The Italian side demanded control from the off across the one side stand filled to the brim at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, with the side peppering shots from the moment Emanuel Grech blew his whistle. Marie Detruyer came closest in the 6th minute striking the crossbar, with Lina Magull incredulous moments later as Grech refused to blow the whistle for a penalty for the side following a challenge from Amy Catania.

Natalee Geren was next to go into the trenches against the German maestro, with international darting inside but finding the American ready to muster the challenge for a corner.

Magull looked like she’d set up the perfect lay up for Haley Bugeja to open the scoring moments later, but Geren was there to make the block once more amid a Hibernians side hard at work to keep the score level for as long as possible.

However, the floodgate was opened just before the quarter hour mark, with Marie Detruyer finishing from the cut-back, with the ball deflected on its way into the net.

Although heavily under attack, the Paolites had something to cheer for as Sylivia Kabene managed to get into a foot-race against Caroline Pleidrup, setting up a battle that peaked interest. The Ugandan ran out of steam early on finishing a meek shot wide of the mark. However, similar opportunities piled twice more, with the Ugandan unable to find the target on either one.

At the other end, there was no such let off from Inter. Lina Magull earned the side the penalty which Haley Bugeja slotted into the bottom right corner in the 24th minute. Masa Tomasevic made it three with a picture-perfect header just two minutes later, courtesy of a cross from Olivia Schough. Lina Magull caressed a low finish into the far right post just after the half-hour mark.

Martina Borg was urging the team to push forward in support of Sylivia Kabene with the Ugandan continuing to offer encouragement and limited respite for the team from the oncoming attacks. Gianpiero Piovani was humming along in contemplation from his box, with his team firmly in control of the scoring.

Inter found three more in just 4 minutes. Elisa Bartoli headed home a corner in the 39th minute with a powerful finish, before Haley Bugeja nailed two further left-footed efforts low into the bottom right corner within a minute of each other to the delight of those in support, completing the hat-trick.

Half-Time Score: Hibernians 0 – 7 Inter

Both teams were reshuffled at the break. Hibernians’ Leah Ayres, Francesca Bartolo and Misozi Zulu came on. Inter made seven changes, with captain Henrietta Csiszar taking to the pitch alongside Irene Santi, Elisa Polli, Ivana Andres, Tessa Wullaert and Benedetta Glionna.

Hibernians’ Cali Schechinger had a rare sight of goal early on in the half. However, she was wide of the near post with the first-timed effort.

At the other end, Inter’s Tessa Wullaert was looking to make an immediate impact, pulling the strings to find Elisa Polli’s run with a diagonal. The Italian cut-back for a cross, which was cleared by Francesca Bartolo, but Wullaert’s attempt at a finish on that was off target from distance.

Despite this, Elisa Polli was off celebrating Inter’s eighth of the evening in the 53rd minute. The Italian placed an effort into the far right post and earned some luck with the deflection from the post going into the goal.

Henrietta Csiszar was off with a blistering run on the left wing moments later, putting in a dangerous ball into the box. However, Polli’s run was just ahead, with the second finish just eluding her.

Further changes ensued as Amber Galea replaced Jessica Dimech for Hibernians, while Martina Tomaselli replaced Haley Bugeja who walked off to an ovation from the crowd.

Tomaselli hit the ground running, finding the ninth with a shot in the bottom left corner from close range. It was a good combination with Tessa Wullaert, with the Belgian setting up the finish with a neat back-heel.

Gianpiero Piovani made a change in goal with Greta Ferraro replacing Elena Belli. Shortly after Martina Borg made two further changes, with Nyorah Celeste and Yolande Attard replacing Sylivia Kabene and Georgiana Mifsud.

Amy Catania fired the only shot on target for Hibernians from distance, but found Greta Ferraro up to the task.

However, at the other end there was no respite with three final goals arriving in quick succession. Benedetta Glionna fired a low finish at the near post, before Henrietta Csiszar dinked the eleventh from the byline and into the far post. Elisa Polli finished off the scoring in the 80th minute. Released behind the defensive line, the forward dribbled Maya Cachia before placing it low into the gaping net.

At the other end, Maya Muscat made an appearance instead of Maya Cachia, with Alanah Ghio also replacing Nicole Sciberras late on. Hibernians’ Amber Galea read the attack as Tessa Wullaert and Elisa Polli attempted to combine for another goal. Though the faith of the night was set, Nyorah Celeste and Leah Ayres instigated a late counter-attack, with the speed working to good effect early on, but Inter’s defence having the support covered.

Final Score: Hibernians 0 – 12 Inter Women

Lead Image: Brandon Bonett

Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X