Mgarr Draw First Blood From The Champions

Mgarr United seemed a well-oiled machine as they earned a 2 – 0 victory against the defending champions, Swieqi United, on their opening match. The Greens created plenty with debutant Ines N’Goussan and Alejandra Villegas Caly earning two goals in the opening twenty-five minutes to secure the win. The Greens’ Yanina Mendez was also denied by the crossbar.

Team Selections

Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella opted for Giulia D’Antuono to start in goal. She was protected by the trusted defence of Rebecca Bajada, Leanne Cefai, captain Abigail Camilleri and Yanina Mendez. Maia Debono started in midfield with Amber Grech, while Yulya Carella and Valeria Villegas Caly operated out wide. Ines N’Guessan debuted in attack alongside Alejandra Villegas Caly.

Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma continued to put faith in Patricia Araujo in goal. Valentina Rapa debuted in partnership with Tammy Falzon in defence, with Jade Schembri and Emma Xuereb taking the full-back duties. Michaela Cachia continued to anchor the midfield, with captain Shona Zammit and Andjela Kricak operating further forward. Aleksandra Yaneva and Sara Saliba debuted in an attacking trio alongside Salamatu Abdulai.

How It Unfolded

Mgarr United’s defence was called into action early one with a deft pass from Andjela Kricak finding Aleksandra Yaneva wide. Her cross was dangerous, but Leanne Cefai anticipated well to deny Sara Saliba the tap in.

A few nervous moments developed on either side in the early throes of the game, with the wind playing its part as players attempted to bring things under control.

However, the Greens started to take the upper-hand convincingly with the debutant Ines N’Guessan making an impression within the eighth minute as she shrugged off a challenge to make way into the six-yard box. Her shot was blocked by Patricia Araujo, before Valentina Rapa cleared.

Despite this, the French forward got a second chance at it on the 14th minute, this time burying the effort. The Villegas Caly sisters proved crucial with Valeria Villegas Caly winning the ball and charging up the left wing before linking with Alejandra Villegas Caly. The number six delivered the through-pass to the French forward who darted into the box, side-stepping the defence before powering the shot into the net from close range.

The goal was no surprise with the defending champions appearing to struggle to come to life. Swieqi United’s Emma Xuereb responded by injecting some life on the wings, earning a free-kick. Mgarr kept a high defensive line, ultimately doing enough to throw off the attempt.

However, it was the Greens that returned back into offensive gear, with flowing creation of opportunities. Ines N’Goussan continued to make a good impression, winning the ball on the right win before recycling across the pitch. Yanina Mendez’s low cross was not cleared effectively by the Owls, with N’Goussan firing a low effort that force Patricia Araujo into a stop. Alejandra Villegas Caly was next with a cross that fizzed across the face of goal untouched.

Mgarr United’s number six came up with the second wriggling past the defence before firing a right-footed effort into the net from the tight angle in close range. Down by two in twenty-four minutes and off the pace, the Owls’ captain Shona Zammit was looking for a way to regroup the side.

Swieqi United gathered some attacking momentum moments later, forcing uncertainty for Giulia D’Antuono who just did enough to keep out Aleksandra Yaneva with the Bulgarian charging forward. However, it was Sara Saliba who most encouraged the Owls on the half-hour mark. The forward glided past the Mgarr United numbers, but D’Antuono closed the angle make the block on the left-footed effort.

Chances developed at either end, with Andjela Kricak forced into a block to deny Yulya Carella a rebound, before Swieqi United’s Shona Zammit wriggled out of four players and fired a shot on the turn that Giulia D’Antuono held.

Mgarr United’s physio was put on full duty with Valeria Villegas Caly and Ines N’Goussan both needing treatment, but both continued play.

Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 2 – 0 Swieqi United

There were no changes at the break and the match restarted in a similar manner with Mgarr United earning the majority of the opportunities. Alejandra Villegas Caly was denied a spectacular overhead-kick-goal by Jade Schembri, before the Swieqi United back-line was sent scrambling once more. However, Yanina Mendez’s distance attempt to capitalise on the gaping goal landed right on the crossbar. Abigail Camilleri also attempted to fire one home from a corner but lacked the control.

The Owls’ Andjela Kricak managed a side-footed effort that landed just over the bar, but the defending champions continued to be a shadow of the side that took to the UEFA Women’s Champions League a few weeks ago.

Dorianne Theuma looked to her bench at the 62nd minute, making a swap at right-back, bringing on Sarah Urpani instead of Jade Schembri.

Sara Saliba continued to be a beacon for the Owls, with the young forward continuing to be one of the few causing trouble for the Greens. She picked out Aleksandra Yaneva with a cross, with the Bulgarian attempting to loop the header toward the far post, but control the power to get Swieqi back into it. Still, it was a positive that invigorated the Swieqi faithful, who were otherwise subdued.

Mgarr United responded with another major opportunity from a corner. Ines N’Goussan’s back-heeled attempt was blocked, before Leanne Cefai attempted to blast a shot past a sea of orange which fizzed just above the crossbar.

Picking their opportunities going forward when they arise, the Greens were in game-management mode with priority on maintaining the two-goal cushion. The Owls were matching the rhythm, which prompted a second change from the Swieqi bench. Dorianne Theuma deployed Ema Micallef instead of Aleksandra Yaneva, with Swieqi’s number six taking the number ten duties as the Owls shifted to the diamond in midfield.

Although Mgarr United responded with another chance through Valeria Villegas Caly who drove into the box unchallenged, Patricia Araujo got the palm on it and Ema Micallef’s introduction proved useful to inject quicker intensity from the Owls in creation.

Salamatu Abdulai was released wide, but skewed the shot when cutting to the right-foot. Sara Saliba attempted to keep it alive but had to settle for a goal-kick. Saliba was next to win the ball up the pitch, before Ema Micallef attempted to feed Salamatu Abdulai immediately to catch the Greens on pace. However, she was halted in her tracks with a perfectly-timed tackle from Abigail Camilleri as the Greens closed in on a clean sheet.

Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella made two late changes, bringing on Kayah Abela Sciberras and handing a debut to Gaia Antonelli, instead of Yulya Carella and Valeria Villegas Caly.

The officials continued to earn muted stick for strings of errors as the match wore on, adding further frustrations on both sides. Mgarr United’s Alejandra Villegas Caly was on flying pace in the 90th minute, but given the get-up by Jo-Anna Vassallo as the forward dropped to the floor seemingly clipped from the back.

Swieqi United had two further opportunities in injury time, but a free-kick delivery was gobbled by Giulia D’Antuono in the air, before Ema Micallef fed Salamatu Abdulai with a perfectly weighted flick. However, the Ghanaian could only find the side-netting.

Final Score: Mgarr United 2 – 0 Swieqi United

Next Matches

The Greens earn a well-controlled victory against Swieqi United, yielding the same exact start to the defending champions as they had last season. Mgarr United will next face Valletta on Friday 29th at the Centenary Stadium (20:30). The latter head into it following an opening defeat to Birkirkara.

Swieqi United will attempt to bounce back against San Gwann on Saturday (30th) at the same stadium and time. The Yellows also come into it on the back of defeat to Hibernians.

Lead Image: Michael Azzopardi

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