by Mgarr United settled for a penalty-shootout victory in a tension-filled semi-final that went the distance after the two sides remained locked at 1 – 1. The Greens held the lead through Yulya Carella’s finish, only for Sara Saliba to cancel it from the penalty spot ten minutes from normal time. Neither side could find a winner in extra time, but the Greens edged out the penalty shootout by 3 – 1 to send themselves into the final.
Team Selections
Patricia Araujo started in goal for Swieqi United, behind a back-four consisting of Jade Schembri, Valentina Rapa, Tammy Falzon and Thea Ida Scicluna. Michaela Cachia continued to operate in midfield with Andjela Kricak and captain Shona Zammit. The attack was unchanged with Sara Saliba flanked by Salamatu Abdulai and Aleksandra Yaneva.
Mgarr United’s goal was protected by Patricia Ebejer, behind an unchanged defence consisting of Yanina Mendez, captain Abigail Camilleri, Leanne Cefai and Rebecca Bajada. Maia Debono and Amber Grech continued their stay in midfield, with Alejandra Villegas Caly further forward. Yulya Carella and Ines N’Guessan started on the flanks, with Valeria Villegas Caly returning to spearhead the attack.
How It Unfolded
The air was heavy with expectation as to how the two sides would fair, given the heavily different matches they’ve thrown up this year.
Mgarr United started strong. Valeria Villegas Caly fizzed an effort just over the far left post, before Ines N’Guessan played a cut-back to the Colombian which had just enough of a deflection to send it out for a corner. Bunched up at the penalty spot, Valentina Rapa headed out the delivery, with Scott Harrison getting involved in the follow-through to give a foul in favour of Swieqi United.
Coaches Dorianne Theuma and Ryan Vella started the match seated, appearing to be set for the long-haul. However, the early opportunities had them both pacing on the touchline by the tenth minute, with any facade of calm heftily discarded.
Having withstood early pressure, the Owls’ earned themselves a chance to make something of possession. Sara Saliba wriggled some space in the box, firing a left-footed effort that skimmed the side netting, but kept the Greens on their toes.
Tensions continued to throw in a few wayward passes and touches, as the sides attempted to get their noses in front. Amber Grech appeared caught between two minutes as the Greens found an opportunity on transition, but the pass ended right in between the forwards, and straight into the path of Patricia Araujo who was off her line to clear.
At the other end, Jade Schembri was keen on the overlap, sending a cross into the box, but Patricia Ebejer collected in the air.
Scott Harrison continued getting more involved with the players, coaches and the crowd on his back. Tammy Falzon got a lecture, before Salamatu Abdulai was booked for diving in the box, to the applause of the Greens’ support. Dorianne Theuma also got a stern warning, with tensions running high as the half drew to a close.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 0 – 0 Mgarr United
Everyone seemed to pick up where they left off, with Scott Harrison dishing out another booking on the restart to Tammy Falzon. Mgarr United’s Yanina Mendez fired the effort from the tight angle, but could not keep it on target. Continuing to work transitions to good effect, Alejandra Villegas Caly glided forward before finding Ines N’Guessan’s run in support. However, Yulya Carella overhit the delivery into the box.
The defenders continued to earn the plaudits, with Leanne Cefai displaying excellent recovery against Salamatu Abdulai at the other end, to deliver a signature perfectly-timed last ditch tackle. Amber Grech headed out the resulting delivery, but Shona Zammit was alert to the counter, sliding in with a clean challenge to dispossess.
Tensions gave way to jubilation in the 58th minute. Valeria Villegas Caly delivered the cut-back from the byline, finding Yulya Carella who made no mistake with the tap in from inside the box, with Mgarr United having a bit more than half-an-hour to hold on to the lead.
Changes ensued, with Sarah Urpani replacing Thea Ida Scicluna for Swieqi United, before Brenda Borg replaced Ines N’Guessan for Mgarr United.
Swieqi United were looking to find a response, with Andjela Kricak and Aleksandra Yaneva looking to work an opening. However, the final ball was snuffed out by Patricia Ebejer.
At the other end, Mgarr United were keen on killing the match, with Alejandra Villegas Caly winning out against Tammy Falzon, before spreading it to Valeria Villegas Caly. However, the shot was ambitious, with options available and Mgarr continuing to hold on to just the one goal lead.
They were fully punished for the missed opportunities ten minutes from time. Shona Zammit kicked off the opportunity. Winning the ball in midfield, the skipper pulled the trigger from distance, forcing Patricia Ebejer to palm it into the crossbar. Aleksandra Yaneva was lively for the rebound, with the Bulgarian caught in the follow-through by Patricia Ebejer and Scott Harrison pointing to the spot. Sara Saliba had to wait, but the youngster was precise to drill the penalty into the bottom right corner to level things.
As expected, jubilation for the Owls ensued, but quickly settled into another level of tension, as the two sides became locked once more with extra-time looming. Scott Harrison continuing to be keen on laying down the law, with Andjela Kricak and Leanne Cefai going straight into the book soon after, in stark contrast from the other semi-final between Hibernians & Birkirkara.
Mgarr United sought a late winner, but Yulya Carella was denied the goal by a block from Tammy Falzon. Sara Saliba headed out the resulting corner, to the sound of the whistle.
Full-Time: Swieqi United 1 – 1 Mgarr United
There was consistency in extra-time, with the defenders continuing to have the upper hand, despite good open play and opportunities from set-pieces. Tired legs did not dishearten from attempts to drive runs, with neither coach willing to gamble on a substitution.
Valeria Villegas Caly came close but was ruled offside, with Amber Grech also attempting a shot from distance that was not on the mark. Neither side could work the goalkeepers from corner opportunities. The end product eluded both, with the goalkeepers fairly untroubled, forcing the match to be decided by penalties.
Scott Harrison eyed proceedings from the box, with Stefania Bonnici sat right on the line, with the memories of late penalties during Malta’s match against Belarus fresh in minds. Yulya Carella showed no nerves, bolting it into the top left. Sara Saliba’s penalty was saved by a dive from Patricia Ebejer. Swieqi goalkeeper Patricia Araujo argued encroachment, to no avail.
Maia Debono was also precise, with the effort straight into the top left corner. Patricia Ebejer showed good reflexes once more, with the goalkeeper diving the right way to deny Swieqi United a second time, as Salamatu Abdulai stepped up. However, Patricia Araujo reeled in Mgarr, saving Abigail Camilleri’s penalty, with Tammy Falzon also converting hers.
Two more stepped up. Valeria Villegas Caly lasered hers centrally, before Patricia Ebejer delivered a diving save to get a hand on Shona Zammit’s penalty, confirming Mgarr United’s place in the final to the roar of the support and the onrushing team engulfing the goalkeeper.
Final Score AET: Swieqi United 1 – 1 Mgarr United (1 – 3 after penalties)
Next Matches
The Greens confirm their place in the final, where they set up a replay of last year’s Assikura Women’s Knockout final against Hibernians. The final will be played on the 8th December.
However, league commitments will ensue before then. Swieqi United will look to bounce back and drill down on league commitments as they next face Hibernians on Thursday at the Centenary Stadium at 20:15. Mgarr United will face Birkirkara on Saturday at the Charles Abela Stadium (18:00).
Lead Image: Brandon Bonett
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