by The Greens will go to the international break buoyed with a 4-1 victory over Valletta, in a match that featured spectacular goals at either end. Valletta’s Suzanne Farrugia Sacco opened the scoring. However, Mgarr United’s Fernanda Peinado, Luana Vitoria Cabral, Joelma Alves Gabriel and Rodiana Borg ensured the win for the Greens.
Team Selections
Mgarr United’s Patricia Ebejer continued her stay in goal. There was one change in defence, with Kelsey Vella starting ahead of Rebecca Bajada in the right-back role. Captain Maia Debono continued to partner Anastasia Sivolobova, while Abigail Camilleri completed the four. Chantelle Grech protected the defence, with Brenda Borg and Joelma Alves Gabriel slotting in front of her. Rodiana Borg returned to the starting eleven on the left flank, while Luana Vitoria Cabral started on the right. Their leading goalscorer, Fernanda Peinado, led the line.
There were no changes between the sticks for Valletta, with Andressa de Souza Ramos continuing to protect their goal. Sabrin Blihi was partnered by Eduarda Martins Souza. Michela Bonello Ghio and captain Anna Aloisio started on the flanks. Ylenia Grech and Francesca Bartolo started in the centre of the park, with Miriana Conti and Laura Muscat started out wide. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and Marcelle de Oliveira Julio started in a two-pronged attack.
A Goal At Either End
The two teams emerged with an intensity that propped up an exciting half, battling not only each other but the windy conditions that kept up throughout the match. Mgarr United were the first to approach a chance five minutes in as Abigail Camilleri attempted to release Brenda Borg behind the defence, but they were called back for offiside. Borg attempted to tee-up Joelma Alves Gabriel with a cross shortly after, but Andressa de Souza Ramos made it hers.
Valletta grew into it close to the ten minute mark and they capitalised on an error to switch the momentum of the game. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco latched onto a ball as the Greens attempted to play out. The sixteen-year-old showed excellent vision and execution, by not only spotting the opportunity with the goalkeeper off her line, but to finish the long-distance effort into the net against the windy conditions.
The Greens were evidently rattled by the goal, which Valletta attempted to twist the knife. Miriana Conti came close with a strike in the 12th minute, but the shot crept above the bar.
Mgarr United’s bench were urging calm from their team, with a few of those on the pitch showing their experience in leading the charge for the comeback. Fernanda Peinado drew level in the 18th minute, finishing into the right side of the net, despite the goalkeeper appearing to get something on it. The Brazilian latched onto a through-ball that deflected through Brenda Borg towards her.
Mgarr United Take The Lead
The Greens kept up the momentum in search of leading the match. Joelma Alves Gabriel won a free-kick, which Anastasia Sivolobova delivered into a dangerous area. However, none of her teammates could get a touch.
Despite this, Mgarr United were evidently growing in confidence, with the first signs of fluid football developing toward the 20th minute. Although Andressa de Souza Ramos read the play, her clearance sent the ball straight into the path of Luana Vitoria Cabral on the right wing. Observing the goalkeeper off her line, the Brazilian was next to show her skills, accurately sending the ball flying into the gaping goal from close to the half-way mark, to send Mgarr United into a 2-1 lead.
Mgarr United attempted to make it three in quick succession by winning the ball in midfield, before Brenda Borg released Joelma Alves Gabriel behind the defence. However, Valletta’s goalkeeper won the duel.
Mgarr United Extend Lead
Valletta were not out of the contest yet. A free-kick opportunity developed in the 25th minute. Miriana Conti picked out Anna Aloisio, but her header was cleared by Joelma Alves Gabriel.
The Reds had another real opportunity to strike goalward as Laura Muscat was fouled just outside the penalty box a minute later. Eduarda Martins Souza struck but Patricia Ebejer made the save. The rebound shot was hit into the side netting.
Valletta were still on the hunt with Suzanne Farrugia Sacco combining well with Laura Muscat, who tried to curl one into the far post from distance. However, the effort was wide of the mark.
Valletta truly rued their missed opportunities in the 35th minute as Joelma Alves Gabriel finessed a free-kick into the right side of the goal to extend Mgarr United’s lead to 3-1.
Despite the goal, Valletta continued to show character. Marcelle de Oliveira Julio led the charge for a counter-attack in the 38th minute, but her effort to play Miriana Conti behind the defence struck a teammate which took the opportunity away. Similarly, Laura Muscat tried to release Marcelle de Oliveira Julio a few minutes later. However, Patricia Ebejer was alert to the danger. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco also attempted a long-range effort which was on target but Ebejer was equal to it this time.
Valletta needed some medical treatment close to the break which appeared to have been the perfect opportunity for Mgarr United’s Michael Mangion to deliver some instructions. They appeared to immediately pay dividends as Rodiana Borg headed home the fourth just after. The lead-up involved one-touch football with a number of players involved, that allowed Joelma Alves Gabriel to sneak behind the defence. Her initial shot was saved, but Rodiana Borg made sure to bury home the loose pickings.
Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 4 – 1 Valletta
Quality Fizzles Out, Cefai & Vella Make Senior Return
Denis Guerra made two changes in the break, with captain Monique Sultana taking to the pitch instead of Ylenia Grech, while Marcelle de Oliveira Julio made way for Megan La Rosa.
Valletta had the more attacking momentum in the second half but struggled to get back into the match. There was an attempt to crowd out the left-wing, however Mgarr United managed to deny the opportunity to get the ball into the box. Francesca Bartolo struck four minutes into the half from a tight angle, but Patricia Ebejer had it covered.
Mgarr United’s Daniela Ebejer made an appearance in replacement of Rodiana Borg in the 65th minute, while Lisa Vella made her first senior league appearance for the side since joining them and returning from injury. She replaced Francesca Bartolo. The change prompted Michela Bonello Ghio to move into midfield, while Vella slotted on the right.
Megan La Rosa and Miriana Conti sparked some quality into the match by playing a quick combination to create something, but Conti’s cross was read by Anastasia Sivolobova. At the other end, Mgarr United attempted to release Daniela Ebejer behind the defence but it was read by Valletta’s back-line. Unfortunately, Laura Muscat’s evening ended following injury, with the youngster replaced by Kate Paula Muscat in the 73rd minute.
Valletta also had opportunities to threaten from successive corners but could not deliver the finish. Meanwhile, Mgarr United had an opportunity to try to add to their tally with a free-kick. Although Joelma Alves Gabriel picked out Fernanda Peinado, her header lacked the power to trouble the goalkeeper.
Mgarr United’s Leanne Cefai made her first senior league appearance since injury, in replacement of Anastasia Sivolobova for the final ten minutes of the match. Meanwhile, Mirayah Aquilina also took to the pitch instead of Abigail Camilleri.
The Greens developed one last opportunity through good play from Daniela Ebejer who rode a challenge before finding Brenda Borg in the centre outside the box. She opted to spread it wide to Joelma Alves Gabriel who struck from the tight angle but it rose above the bar. Mgarr United made one final change with Maria Mizzi coming on in replacement of Kelsey Vella in the final minutes.
Full-Time Score: Mgarr United 4 – 1 Valletta
Standings & International Break
The victory ensures that Mgarr United stay firmly in the title race on 20 points, while Valletta see the gap stay to fourth stay at 8 points. The Greens will return against Mtarfa on the 9th of December in their home ground at 14:00. Valletta will work to bounce back to winning ways against Lija Athletic following that match at 16:30.
However, until then, focus shifts to the international break which will mark the final stint of the UEFA Women’s Nations League. Malta’s selection will by vying for promotion against Moldova on the 1st of December (15:00, live on TVM Sport+), before playing the final match at the Centenary Stadium, Ta Qali against Latvia on the 5th December (16:00). Tickets for that match may be purchased online.
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[…] their first return from the international break. Mgarr United broke off their commitments with a 4-1 victory to brush off any potential challenge from fifth-placed Valletta. Meanwhile, Mtarfa […]