Mgarr Complete Late Comeback To Eliminate Holders Birkirkara

Mgarr United sealed a comeback in eight minutes to eliminate holders Birkirkara in a match that ended 3 – 1. Birkirkara broke the deadlock in the second half through Luana Vitoria Cabral, before Valeria Villegas Caly delivered a hat-trick in the final quarter of an hour to seal the semi-final spot for Mgarr United.

Team Selections

Vince Galea retained faith in Janice Xuereb in goal who also captained the side. There were no changes at the back with Valentina Rapa accompanied by Charlene Zammit and Calista Schechinger. Luana Vitoria Cabral and Gabriella Zahra started in midfield, flanked by Lara May Azzopardi and Mariah Cardona. Erica Bispo supported Alishia Cassar and Sofia Carvajal in attack.

Meanwhile, Ryan Vella opted for Giulia D’Antuono in goal. She was protected by an unchanged defence consisting of Yanina Mendez, captain Abigail Camilleri, Leane Cefai and Rebecca Bajada. Amber Grech and Ann-Marie Said continued operating in front of the defence. Yulya Carella and Luz Hernandez brought the width, while Alejandra Villegas Caly supported Valeria Villegas Caly in attack.

How It Unfolded

Having had to wait for the extended drama that unfolded between Hibernians & Swieqi United, the two teams set about their business in search for their own spot in the semi-finals. However, both defences were relatively untroubled early on, reading the aerial deliveries well.

Mgarr United started to turn play as the quarter-hour mark elapsed with Valeria Villegas Caly linking with Yulya Carella in front of the defence. However, the latter’s first-timed shot dipped just wide. Amber Grech came close from a corner delivery just a minute shy of the 20th minute, clipping the crossbar with the delivery.

Birkirkara attempted to go direct on the wing, with Luana Vitoria Cabral picked out by Valentina Rapa. However, Yanina Mendez was sharp to read the play. Mgarr responded with another good opportunity as a cross from Luz Hernandez was deflected into the path of Yulya Carella. However, the youngster was off-target once more from inside the box. Ann-Marie Said worked Janice Xuereb with a long-range effort shortly after, but the veteran was well positioned to make the save.

The Stripes struggled to get a footing going forward, with Mgarr United winning the midfield tussles and having their defence well-organised to deal with the rest. Erica Bispo involved Giulia D’Antuono with a cross from the right-wing, with the goalkeeper catching comfortably. On the other hand, Birkirkara’s defensive line was well set to nullify the Greens’ pace up front.

The Greens’ attempt to create something from a free-kick was read well by the Birkirkara defence, while the Stripes saw away any threats from corners. However, the Greens kept pushing to no avail. Alejandra Villegas Caly whipped in a cross for Luz Hernandez who was wide with the header, before the duo’s attempt to combine on the counter was thwarted by Birkirkara’s defence moments before half-time.

Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 0 – 0 Mgarr United

Neither coaches tampered with their line-ups at the break. The two defences came out on top against free-kick deliveries but Mgarr United sought to make the counter-attack pay. Alejandra Villegas Caly roped in Yanina Mendez who released Valeria Villegas Caly. However, Janice Xuereb was quickly off her line to close the angle and make the save to keep the teams deadlocked.

The free-kick count started to rack up as Luca Formosa’s whistle started sounding against the more sinister fouls that started to flow in the match. Both sets of players were furious with the calls but the official refused to be too flustered.

Having soaked up pressure, Birkirkara were lethal with a transition to break the deadlock just over the hour mark. Luana Vitoria Cabral switched play to Mariah Cardona who was forced back to Calista Schechinger. She fed Erica Bispo who linked with Sofia Carvajal who returned it back to Luana Vitoria Cabral. The Brazilian fired into the far top left corner from the edge of the box, giving Giulia D’Antuono no chance before running off in celebration to the joy of the Stripes’ faithful.

The Greens attempted to find an immediate response through Luz Hernandez who earned a corner with a finish from the tight angle. However, Birkirkara saw off the threat at the near post, before sending the team forward, only to find Abigail Camilleri ready to dispossess Alishia Cassar, who was breaking on pace.

Janice Xuereb was called into action once more against a low effort from Alejandra Villegas Caly, before Amber Grech’s second effort rose over the bar.

Both coaches made changes as the 66th minute elapsed. Vince Galea thrusted Stella Francalanza into attack instead of Sofia Carvajal, while Ryan Vella retreated Yulya Carella for a return for Maia Debono from injury. Debono slotted in the right-back position, pushing Rebecca Bajada further forward.

The change injected more energy into the Greens’ forward line, although the side almost landed themselves into further trouble trying to play from the back as Birkirkara applied pressure to find the second. Erica Bispo caught the defence on the press, but first shot was blocked, before Gabriella Zahra skied the follow-shot letting Mgarr off the hook.

Despite Birkirkara’s efforts to kill off the game, the Greens equalised in the 78th minute with another delightful finish. Abigail Camilleri headed forward toward Rebecca Bajada who fed Luz Hernandez. She brought under control before feeding Valeria Villegas Caly who this time placed a powerful shot that flew from the edge of the box into the top left corner of the goal.

Both sets of supporters took their volumes to a few higher decibels in search of encouraging their side toward victory, while the possibility of extra-time loomed for the second time in the afternoon in the competition.

Birkirkara pushed for more with a dangerous ball from Calista Schechinger toward Erica Bispo who was ruled offside. Meanwhile, frustrations grew as Mgarr United started to become the ones earning the extra seconds in the game.

However, the Greens utilised play to good effect. Yanina Mendez applied pressure in midfield, with Birkirkara looking for the free-kick but finding the officials uncooperative. Ann-Marie Said launched it forward toward Valeria Villegas Caly who beat her marker before diving inside for the cut-back to Alejandra Villegas Caly. The first shot was saved by Janice Xuereb, but Valeria Villegas Caly was liveliest to the loose ball to bury the goal and send Mgarr United into the lead for the first time in the 86th minute.

Vince Galea responded with a change, bringing on Izabella Camilleri for Luana Vitoria Cabral in the final moments of the match. Both sets of faithfuls were in full voice, as Mgarr United’s support urged their team toward victory, while Birkirkara’s support pushed the side to get back into it.

However, Birkirkara could not make the most of deliveries by Calista Schechinger and Izabella Camilleri, before Valeria Villegas Caly pounced on a loose pass back to Janice Xuereb to finish off the hat-trick just before the full-time whistle.

Final Score: Birkirkara 1 – 3 Mgarr United

Semi-Finals

The result means that Mgarr United will be progressing to the semi-finals to face Lija Athletic, who on their part defeated Mtarfa by 4 – 2. The fixtures for the semi-final are still to be announced.

Birkirkara’s elimination means that the Assikura Women’s Knockout will definitely change hands. Swieqi United’s defeat to Hibernians leaves only the Paolites as the only side still competing who have lifted the trophy in the past. It also ensures that there will be at least two different teams lifting silverware this season. Hibernians will contend the other semi-final against San Gwann, with San Gwann having beaten Valletta for their place.

Lead Image: Elise Bajada

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