by Lija Athletic & Mgarr United will kick-start the final Assikura Women’s League weekend of this calendar year tonight at the Centenary Stadium (20:15). The two sides provided their insight on the difference between facing teams sitting at different ends of the table, injury updates and match ambitions.
The Differences Between Teams
Mgarr United go into the fixture the happier of the two, following an 8-0 victory over Mtarfa last weekend. Despite the large scoreline at full-time, the Greens were leading by two at the break, despite a number of chances.
However, Mgarr United’s assistant coach Neville Cassar denied this was a matter of complacency from his team and rather heaped praise on the Blues for their defensive structures. He said, “No we don’t think it had to do with complacency. During the first half, Mtarfa were very compact at the back and defended with nine players, so for an attacker, it’s never an easy match. Having said that, yes we have to be more clinical and grab any chance to score immediately.”
On the other hand, Lija Athletic fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of fifth-placed Valletta. Being a team in their early weeks, it is evident that the side is still exploring their way toward capitalising on their strengths. Jethron Azzopardi explained the reasoning behind changing formations, “We are working on various formations depending on the availability of our players and the opponent we are playing against. We start 4-2-3-1 then we adapt accordingly.”
Considering the bigger score-lines being observed when teams at the top end of the table meet those in the lower places, the two coaches were asked to weigh in on how much fitness could be playing a part, especially when those at the top of the table enjoy the majority of possession.
Mgarr United’s Neville Cassar replied, “Fitness is definitely one of the main factors, but not only. Sometimes a team that concedes more than two goals during the first half tends to get disheartened and most of the time that results in conceding more goals.”
On the other hand, Lija Athletic’s Jethron Azzopardi referenced the effect of foreign talent, “The main factor that is making a difference are the foreign players that change the tempo of the game.”
Selections & Match Expectations
The Greens enjoyed a strong 7-0 victory the first time the two sides met in the season. It is a match that they will certainly hope to win with such confidence, to keep up the four-horse title race, before heading to the holiday period.
One major absentee has been Yulya Carella who has been sidelined by injury. However, the Greens used the combination of Rebecca Bajada and Kelsey Vella on the right wing to good effect against Mtarfa. Questioned on whether the two could feature once more against Lija Athletic, Neville Cassar responded in the affirmative, “The combination worked just fine so tomorrow it is expected that we use it again. Rebecca Bajada’s offensive traits help her to succeed when playing in this advanced role, while Kelsey Vella is very disciplined and is always focused at the back.” The assistant coach also provided a positive update on Yulya Carella, “She is very close to be counted as a fully recovered player.”
Jethron Azzopardi’s squad is more limited in numbers which makes injuries more difficult to deal with. However, the team is determined to band together toward earning an improved result. He said, “As a team we go every game to get the three points, but we are aware that with our limitations is not easy. We will try to get a better result from previous encounters.”
The two will initiate proceedings for the final Assikura Women’s League weekend tonight at the Centenary Stadium (20:15).
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