by Hibernians & Mgarr United will contest the Assikura Women’s Knockout final at the Centenary Stadium at 16:00 this afternoon. Kenneth Costantino & Ryan Vella discussed the battle for the final piece of silverware between two sides whose hard-fought matchups have brewed a rivalry in recent years. As emotions run high for both teams, new beginnings and farewells lie within the makings of the game, with the crowd rallied for support to end a history-defining 2024/25 season.
Road To The Final
Hibernians & Mgarr United have set up a first meet in a cup final this afternoon at the Centenary Stadium. The two have already met five times in the league this campaign, with three draws and two wins for Mgarr United. However, Hibernians come into it chomping at the bit, having made the last two finals, and holding the record for most Knockout titles, at seventeen.
Hibernians make the final after eliminating league champions, Swieqi United, on penalties, before overcoming San Gwann by 3 – 0. Hibernians’ coach, Kenneth Costantino, was probed on whether he believes his side had the tougher path, and its potential impact.
He said, “I think we had a tough start. Facing Swieqi in the initial round was not easy. Likewise, San Gwann have improved and their two forwards are very able. Besides that, they are organised defensively. So even the semi-final was not an easy affair. Whether it’s the tougher draw is subjective. I sincerely don’t think it’s more positive. It just shows that the girls are capable of beating anyone when they believe in themselves.”
Meanwhile, Mgarr United eliminated the holders Birkirkara (3-1), before dominating the encounter against Lija Athletic (8-0). Given a similar question on their path, Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella replied, “I believe that the draws were quite equal for both teams when considering that both us and Hibernians faced one team from the Top 4, and another team from the Bottom 4. Our job was to prepare for each game in the best possible way and our players stepped up to the challenges we faced so far in a brilliant way, as the results show.”
League Battles & Brewing Rivalry
As mentioned above, Hibernians are yet to beat Mgarr this year, but the two were often not separated by wide margins. The two teams have been closely following each other in the past seasons as they built themselves into title contenders, with a rivalry that brewed and manifested into a few spectacular open confrontations along the way.
The two coaches were questioned about the head to head, while considering their chances should the game go the distance.
Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino assessed his team’s chances, “The fact is that we have not won against Mgarr (this year). In some games it was due to individual errors and in others some element of luck. But overall, I know we can face Mgarr on equal footing from the first minute to the last.”
Ryan Vella was equally positive about his team’s chances, “We have a good record so far (against Hibernians), but whatever happened in the past won’t matter coming into this match. We always play to win. Our job is to implement our game plan, make use of our strengths, while trying to hurt Hibernians whenever the opportunities arise.”
Considering a squad depth that was diminished by lengthy injuries in view of potential extra-time and penalties, Vella continued, “Mentally, we need to be prepared for all scenarios, whether the match ends at the 90th minute, or we go all the way, the players will have to be prepared to deal with what the game throws at us, while managing to control the pressure the final brings with it itself.”
On the other hand, the two were also probed about whether they believe this cup final could truly define this rivalry and its potential impact on the women’s game.
As one of the stalwarts of the women’s game, Kenneth Costantino began, “It seems there is always a rivalry with Hibernians. Be it Birkirkara as the most decorated teams, Swieqi United due to the movement of players between the two clubs and now Mgarr United because we grew alongside each other. Joking apart, I think when you start to compete, everyone sees you as a rival. From a club perspective that is surely positive, because it means we are doing well.”
However, the Hibernians’ coach underlined the importance of strong teams in the game, “Yet even for the good of the game, having four strong and equal teams is a breath of fresh air. Let us hope sensible and unselfish decisions are taken for the benefit of the upcoming girls.”
At the other side of the dugout will be Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella who will be leading a women’s team in a final for the first time. Provided for his take on things, he echoed, “Mgarr and Hibs always have very competitive teams in this sector (in the past years) and when you have two teams that have the same targets year after year, then it’s very normal that a small rivalry builds up. At the end of the day, we have the utmost respect for Hibernians, their staff, their players and what they are trying to build throughout the women sector. We look forward to a very intriguing final.”
Rallying A Crowd For A Claim To Silverware & Emotional Farewell
A final that was originally set to be played at 10:30 am, announced on Sunday, came into heavy fire in its impacts on the game. It was moved to four in the afternoon by the Malta Football Association, with the match set to be broadcast on TVM Sports+. The two clubs have been pushing their own promotions among their fanbases since.
Questioned about the importance of having their loyal numbers behind them, Kenneth Costantino did not mince his words on the need of everyone’s input to raise the profile of the women’s game. “As you rightly mentioned, there has been promotion by our club. Pity very little promotion was done by the organisers. Thankfully the final was moved from 10am to 4pm. At 10am I doubt anyone would have attended.”
Meanwhile, having donned the crest of Mgarr United as a player, Ryan Vella rallied the support, “Luckily for me as a player I experienced important games with Mgarr, and I know that when these important games come around the village unites and the people will always step up to support the team. We’d love to see the Centenary stand as full as possible as the fans can give our players the extra push needed in this very important final for our team.”
A cup final already raises emotions in the only way sport can bring. However, there will be underlying details in the midst, as Hibernians’ captain Martina Borg & coach Kenneth Costantino will be bowing out following tonight.
Questioned about the impact of this farewell, on the back of two finals which the team ended runners’ up, Costantino said, “Emotions will be high for both teams. For us, it’s a matter of channeling these emotions into determination and intensity. Of course Martina and myself would love to bow out with a trophy, and it would mean a real lot. We lost two finals and most of the girls have played in them and learned from these experiences. Yet we know the opponents are equally hungry so we understand nothing is given for free.”
His counterpart, Ryan Vella, agreed on his teams’ own path toward this maiden trophy, “Winning this trophy will mean so much for all of us, but mainly it will be special for the players that have been with the team for a long time and so far, never managed to get their hands on a trophy yet.”
However, Vella continued to underscore the positive season for his team in claiming a best league finish in five years, matched by achieving this final, “Although we feel that the trophy will be the perfect reward for all the sacrifices the players made during the season, the result of this game won’t change the fact that as a team we had a very good season and we can look forward for a bright future ahead.”
The stage is set for what will be another new dawn in the women’s game, to cap off what has been a historic season. Kick-off is due at 16:00 at the Centenary Stadium.
Lead Image: Elise Bajada
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