Knockout Draws: Mgarr-Hibernians, Valletta-San Gwann Among Quarter-Final Clashes

The Assikura Women’s League continues to live up to expectations, as it heads into the final round still up for the taking. However, today’s cup draw begins to shape the path to trophy glory for those missing out on the league and as much as for those looking to make the sweep.

First Bracket

While the Assikura Women’s League continues to throw twists and turns with every weekend, the Assikura Women’s Knockout brings with it excitement of another trophy that will pit all of the teams back together. In doing so, it will provide a picture of how far teams have come since the split in January. There will also be no settling for a point, providing more suspense should extra-time and penalties be required at the end of the ninety.

Swieqi United will start their title defence against Mtarfa, with the Owls the heavy favourites in that fixture based on having completely shut out the Blues this season, scoring seventeen goals and conceding just one. Despite this, Mtarfa have shown signs of improvement since the league was split and they will be determined to put it to the test against the Owls.

Meanwhile, Mgarr United and Hibernians will also meet in the quarter-final in a repeat of last year’s clash. A free-kick by Kayleigh Chetcuti was enough to separate the two teams last year, marking Hibernians’ first victory over the Greens since their return after hiatus. Since then, Hibernians have continued holding the cards, having won three of the four encounters between the two, with the other one being a 3-3 draw in their first meet this season. Despite this, matches have been closely fought and injuries on both sides stir the pot a bit further. The two sides are also still yet to meet another time in the league before their Knockout match.

The winners of the two matches will face each other in the semi-final, making this arguably the toughest side of the draw. This based on it pitting three out of the four teams in the top-four end of the Assikura Women’s League.

It also ensures that this year’s final will be contested by different pair of teams than last year’s final. This is since last year’s winners Swieqi United and runners-up Hibernians could meet in the semi-final, should they both win their quarter-final fixtures.

Second Bracket

The other side of the draw promises another exciting clash between Valletta and San Gwann. Although Valletta have come away with the points in every match this season, San Gwann have edged closer to City as the season progressed. Valletta came from behind to secure victory in their last fixture, and the two sides are still yet to meet another time before wrapping up the league. Whatever the outcome, all things point towards another exciting battle in April.

Finally, Birkirkara will face Lija Athletic. Birkirkara currently lead the Assikura Women’s League, with sights set on lifting their second trophy this season after securing the Super Cup last December. They go into the match as the heavy favourites with a fifteen goal advantage against Lija Athletic. However, the two have not met since the league split in January, which will provide more insight into how the teams have developed since.

Quarter-final matches will be played between the 11th and 13th of April, with those progressing into the semi-finals meeting a week later, between 18 and 20th of April. The trophy will be lifted on Saturday 27th April. Further details will be released at a later date.

Sandwiched between the finale of the Assikura Women’s League and the Assikura Women’s Knockout competition, will be the first international break that initiates the first round of the UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers league stage.

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