by Lija Athletic were elated as they secured a 3-1 victory over nearest rivals San Gwann, in an engrossing afternoon. Shakira Bugeja broke the deadlock with a direct free-kick in the opening half, before Vanessa Honorio Carneiro and Simone Buttigeg extended the lead following the restart. Andjela Kricak came off the bench to earn a goal back for San Gwann, but the Yellows failed to convert a penalty which stunted momentum in the comeback. The result sets things up for some final matchday drama in the group.
Team Selections
Justyne Caruana retained her place in goal for San Gwann. There was one change at the back, with captain Annabelle Rapa slotting between Kirstie Vella and Thresa Scicluna. Fatma Al Girbi partnered Thais Muscat in midfield, flanked by Rabab Mhalli and Cristina Hili who continued in their wing-back duties. Reham Mellah supported Shania Gheiti and Chaimaa Tourki in attack.
On the other hand, Christiana Pisani continued her stay in goal for Lija Athletic. Samira Bouzid was the only change in defence, starting alongside Nell Zarb Cousin, while Mariah Schembri and Shakira Bugeja retained their place on the wings. Rachel Mifsud and Ylenia Azzopardi protected the defence. Captain Simone Buttigieg occupied the attacking midfield position, flanked by Katryna Grech and Elisa Xuereb. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro led the line.
Lija Athletic Open The Scoring
There was anticipation for the fixture, which delivered to the entertainment of those in the stands. The onus was on Lija Athletic to grab a victory to maintain the possibility of equalling San Gwann’s point tally in the remaining matches, which they hunted down in the afternoon. Lija Athletic’s Simone Buttigieg tested Justyne Caruana early on as Katryna Grech found her skipper with a back-pass, who hit a first-time looped ball that Caruana watched closely.
Both sides could not capitalise on corner kick opportunities, while the midfield battle was heating up nicely, with the two sides attempting to get control. As tackles flew in, the referee, Rapjan Xhyra, warned members from the Lija Athletic bench against dissent, before brandishing a yellow and an immediate follow-up red card as the outcry continued close to fifteen minutes of play.
Shakira Bugeja opened the scoring from a direct free-kick on the half-hour mark, following a foul on Vanessa Honorio Carneiro. Lija Athletic’s number seven placed it into the left side of the goal before running toward coach Jethron Azzopardi in celebration.
Lija Athletic developed another major chance around seven minutes later, as Ylenia Azzopardi cut open the San Gwann defence with a through-ball to release Katryna Grech. She darted into the box, but saw her attempt parried away by Justyne Caruana.
San Gwann responded with a chance of their own as Cristina Hili launched a ball for Shania Gheiti to chase behind. However, Christiana Pisani shut the door from the tight angle.
Half-Time Score: San Gwann 0 – 1 Lija Athletic
Lija Extend
Lija Athletic hit the ground running immediately two minutes into the restart. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro latched onto a loose ball before chipping the goalkeeper to double the lead for her team.
Julian Camilleri responded with his first change of the match, bringing on Andjela Kricak who replaced Cristina Hili. The Serbian slotted into the number ten position, while Annabelle Rapa occupied Hili’s position on the flank. Fatma Al Girbi retreated into the heart of the defence, while Chaimaa Tourki occupied her vacated midfield position.
However, it was one way traffic as Lija Athletic developed another major opportunity in the 51st minute. Simone Buttigieg pinged a ball over the top, which Vanessa Honorio Carneiro attempted to chip over the goalkeeper once more, but it flew just wide of the mark. The team developed a similar opportunity just two minutes later, with the Brazilian opting to head the ball instead, but also missing the target.
Shania Gheiti showed character with a surge in midfield, riding two challenges before looping in Andjela Kricak. The Serbian opened up the space, before striking a left boot at it. However, Christiana Pisani was well placed for the central shot. Chaimaa Tourki put a ball into the box shortly after, which Pisani collected once more.
Jethron Azzopardi made his first change of the afternoon in the 56th minute, bringing on Edera Marmara’ in a direct swap with Katryna Grech. Play had to be stopped shortly after, following an injury to Thresa Scicluna, who was deemed fit enough to continue.
Lija Athletic’s Simone Buttigieg converted the third goal to give the team a comfortable scoreline on the hour mark. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro found her skipper, who made a forward run into the box. Buttigieg carried the ball past two markers, before firing low across the face of goal. Justyne Caruana got something on it, but the ball rolled into the far side of the net, sending Buttigieg racing toward coach Jethron Azzopardi in celebration.
San Gwann Attempt Comeback
Although the result appeared to be set, San Gwann started to string good spells of quick one-touch possession following the third goal. Andjela Kricak made good on her appearance in the 66th minute to earn San Gwann a goal back. The Serbian opened up the space and struck a right boot to send the ball flying into the top left corner, despite Christiana Pisani getting something on it.
The goal gave the Yellows a boost in confidence with Kricak getting increasingly involved, yet closely marked by Ylenia Azzopardi. San Gwann’s comeback appeared to get a strong boost in the 68th minute as the referee pointed to the spot, deeming Shania Gheiti to have been fouled. Rabab Mhalli stepped up, but hit a meek effort which Christiana Pisani was untroubled to collect.
Despite living past the moment, Lija Athletic’s Simone Buttigieg urged concentration from her team, as Julian Camilleri looked to his bench once more. Nicole Camenzuli went into her place in the defence, coming on instead of Reham Mellah. Her introduction restored Fatma Al Girbi into midfield, while Chaimaa Tourki returned to attacking duties.
San Gwann continued to knock on the door trying to release their forwards into the box, but Christiana Pisani was often happy to diffuse the situation in the box. On their part, Lija Athletic created another good opportunity as Elisa Xuereb linked with Vanessa Honorio Carneiro. The Brazilian dribbled past her marker, before trying to place into the far corner, but Justyne Caruana parried away. Rachel Mifsud followed up the shot but could not find the target.
Both coaches made changes as the 77th minute rolled in. Lija Athletic’s Julia Zarb entered the fold in the right-back position instead of her usual goalkeeping duties, replacing Samira Bouzid. Mariah Schembri shifted into the centre-back position. Meanwhile, Julian Camilleri made a double switch, bringing on Kristina Zammit and Nilayza Attard, in replacement of Thresa Scicluna and Annabelle Rapa. Fatma Al Girbi assumed the captaincy.
The referee continued assuming good control of proceedings as the final minutes rolled on. San Gwann created a major opportunity in the 86th minute as Andjela Kricak powered past her marker to latch onto a loose ball, before finding Shania Gheiti in space. However, the striker’s attempt to find the far right corner was saved by Christiana Pisani, before Mariah Schembri got distance into the clearance.
Lija Athletic had a final chance to extend their lead in the dying moments, as Edera Marmara’ was released with another ball over the top. The number ten attempted the chip into the far left corner, but was denied by the windy conditions which sent the ball just wide of the mark.
Final Score: San Gwann 1 – 3 Lija Athletic
Standings & Final Matches
Lija Athletic close the gap to San Gwann to three points ahead of the final matchday. San Gwann will end the league commitments against group leaders Valletta on Thursday (21st) at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30). Depending on that result, the Yellows may secure second place on points.
On the other hand, should they falter, Lija Athletic will search for a final push against Mtarfa, which could see them equal San Gwann’s tally on the final matchday. They will meet on Friday 22nd at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, 20:30.
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[…] Gwann come into it on the back of a defeat to direct rivals Lija Athletic, who secured the points to give themselves a chance of equalling the Yellows on points in the final […]