by San Gwann dealt another 3 – 0 defeat to Valletta to secure their place in the semi-finals. Nanako Kobayashi got the side going, with Hailey Russell and Naila Addo completing the scoring. However, San Gwann did not walk unscathed, with Annabelle Rapa limping off the pitch. Valletta’s season ended with the confirmation that Monique Sultana has also called time on her playing journey.
Team Selections
San Gwann’s Justyne Caruana retained her place in goal, defended by a back-four consisting of Jeanelle Falzon, Mariama Kasim, Nanako Kobayashi and Naomi Blundell. Fatma Al Girbi started in the trio in midfield with captain Annabelle Rapa and Martina Schembri. The three-pronged attack consisted of Shania Gheiti, Naila Addo and Hailey Russell.
Meanwhile, Kayleigh Vella Barberi started in goal for Valletta. Eunice Micallef started at the centre of the defence with Lisa Vella, while Anna Aloisio and Gaia Antonelli occupied the widths. Monique Sultana captained the side on what became her final appearance, partnered by Suzanne Farrugia Sacco in midfield. Lilou Lucas and Sarah Fenech started on the flanks. Rodianne Zerafa was supported by Sara Bonello Ghio in attack.
How It Unfolded
San Gwann kicked off the match applying high pressure on Valletta with a determination to earn the opener. The side earned an early corner opportunity, but Valletta’s defence did enough to clear the first delivery, before the second delivery was overcooked.
Though Valletta struggled initially, Anna Aloisio managed to break through a pass to Lilou Lucas who ran into space to receive. She released Sarah Fenech who beat her marker and dove inside. However, Mariama Kasim blocked the effort.
San Gwann returned fire with two set-piece opportunities, with a clear chance to test Kayleigh Vella Barberi in goal. Hailey Russell worked the goalkeeper who dove against the central shot, with Valletta let off the hook by the rebound from Naila Addo.
Both teams resorted to some long-range efforts, with the goalkeepers coming out on top, as the sides struggled to play quick short passes on the heavily rubbered surface in Mgarr Ground.
San Gwann managed to break the deadlock in the 24th minute. Fatma Al Girbi’s initial corner delivery was palmed by Kayleigh Vella Barberi. However, Nanako Kobayashi buried the rebound into the bottom left side of the goal.
The team in yellow pushed for more, squeezing the already small space further, despite Eunice Micallef’s urgency at her forwards to counter with some depth. San Gwann in the 37th minute. Hailey Russell shrugged off the challenge from Gaia Antonelli with the latter appearing to be caught in the process. However, the referee, Jo-Anna Vassallo, saw no harm in the matter, with the forward continuing her run before striking a low effort into bottom right corner.
Eunice Micallef continued being one of the leaders on the pitch, trying to take the initiative to push the side forward. However, the team was unable to get the better of the defence, with San Gwann almost earning the third just before the break through a transition in play. Still, Naila Addo could not bring it under control for the strike. Martina Schembri also attempted an effort from distance which had pace, but not the accuracy, to trouble Kayleigh Vella Barberi.
Half-Time Score: San Gwann 2 – 0 Valletta
Valletta’s Jean Lopes brought two of his three available players on at half-time. Sara Bonello Ghio made way for Laura Muscat, while Sarah Fenech was replaced by Lucie Lucas.
The Citizens kicked off the second-half with an improvement in linkage to work an attack. However, Rodianne Zerafa’s long-ranged right-footed effort did not trouble Justyne Caruana.
Instead San Gwann responded with a clinical transition for the third just a minute into the half. Hailey Russell sped on the left wing, before firing with pace at Kayleigh Vella Barberi who made the save at the near post. However, Naila Addo tapped home rebound into the bottom right corner.
The team in yellow continued to threaten with numbers on the break, while Valletta sought to get themselves on the scoresheet. Referee Jo-Anna Vassallo was keen to allow play to flow with Valletta taking advantage on one occasion through Gaia Antonelli. However, the effort from distance was well watched by Justyne Caruana. On the other hand, Mariama Kasim and Nanako Kobayashi continued building their partnership at the back, with the duo snuffing out efforts to breach by Valletta.
San Gwann were dealt a blow as captain Annabelle Rapa limped off the pitch, with Julian Camilleri forced to make the swap. She was replaced by Thais Muscat. Justyne Caruana took the armband in the process. Yasmin Attard and Kirsty Paris took to the pitch instead of Shania Gheiti and Martina Schembri later on. Julian Camilleri made use of all available five substitutions bringing on Katrin Abela and Nilayza Attard in straight swaps with Hailey Russell and Fatma Al Girbi for the final minutes.
Meanwhile, Valletta’s Jean Lopes made his third and final possible change with Melissa Galea replacing Kayleigh Vella Barberi in goal. This following the goalkeeper denying Naila Addo from adding to the tally from close range.
Despite the score, Valletta continued attempting to build better, with Eunice Micallef and Gaia Antonelli combining well with Lucie Lucas and Rodianne Zerafa. However, the decisions in the final third continued to let down the side.
At the other end, Naila Addo was given a clear sign to get up as the Ghanaian looked for a penalty against Eunice Micallef. Melissa Galea blocked an effort from Naila Addo to deny San Gwann from adding to their tally late on.
Final Score: San Gwann 3 – 0 Valletta
The Game Bids Farewell As Semi-Finals Loom
The result signalled curtains for Valletta’s season, as well as the farewell to Monique Sultana who captained the team in the past and remained a loyal servant as the side transitioned from Raiders into Valletta. Often one of the most vocal in pushing grit and a fighting attitude within the team, the midfielder’s experience will certainly be missed by the side.
Meanwhile, San Gwann will progress into the semi-finals, where they will meet Hibernians. The Paolites beat Swieqi United on penalties after extra-time to secure their place in the semi-finals. The other semi-final will be played between Mgarr United and Lija Athletic, who eliminated holders Birkirkara and Mtarfa, respectively. Fixture details still to be announced.
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