by A single goal from Shania Gheiti was enough to give San Gwann a victory over Lija Athletic. Both sides had limited opportunities to score more, but the defensive units came out on top to limit the scoring. An already tense match boiled over as the two teams got in each other’s faces in the final throes of the match.
Team News
San Gwann’s Justyne Caruana continued her stay in goal. Captain Annabelle Rapa returned to the centre of the defence, flanked by Nicole Saliba and Sarah Cioffi. Fatma Al Girbi partnered Martina Schembri in the centre of midfield, while Maria Ibrahim and Kirstie Vella occupied the flanks. In attack, Chaimaa Tourki was supported by Yasmin Attard and Shania Gheiti.
Lija Athletic’s goal was shielded by Christiana Pisani. Sarah Caruana continued her stay in the heart of the defence, flanked by Rachel Mifsud and Mariah Schembri. Amy Galea Gingell returned to the starting eleven protecting the defence. Captain Simone Buttigieg was deployed further forward alongside Leanne Micallef and Daniela Micallef. Katryna Grech and Elisa Xuereb flanked Vanessa Honorio Carneiro in attack.
Sizing Each Other Up
There was no lack of intensity from either side, but it took some time for either to convert it into a real opportunity. Lija Athletic were the first to get into the penalty box five minutes into the match, following a burst from Elisa Xuereb on the left wing. She picked out Vanessa Honorio Carneiro who laid it for Leanne Micallef to strike first time. However, she was unable to test the goalkeeper.
The side also had a corner-kick opportunity two minutes later which San Gwann’s Kirstie Vella cleared before mounting the counter. Despite finding Shania Gheiti up front, Lija Athletic recovered the numbers. However, the attack got San Gwann back into the match and Chaimaa Tourki struck the side’s first attempt from a tight angle, but was also off-target with the finish.
It set the tone for much of the opening half, with half-chances being developed but with little quality in the end product. There was plenty of counter-attacking intent from San Gwann. An attempt to release Yasmin Attard behind was read by Lija’s Mariah Schembri. The number seventeen was on her bike again close to quarter of an hour of play, but Sarah Caruana took the booking for the team to deny her from getting into the box.
Lija responded through good play between Mariah Schembri and Simone Buttigieg who pushed the team forward. However, an attempt to rope in Vanessa Honorio Carneiro was snuffed out by San Gwann’s Annabelle Rapa.
The end to end action pursued with San Gwann’s Nicole Saliba linking with Shania Gheiti. Despite finding Lija’s Sarah Caruana in her face once more, the ball deflected into the path of Chaimaa Tourki. She was the first to test Christiana Pisani but the goalkeeper was up to the task.
Meanwhile, Justyne Caruana was called into action close to the half-hour mark, following Lija’s attempt to get Katryna Grech behind San Gwann’s defensive line.
The free-kick opportunities tallied up for both sides but it was San Gwann who came closest. Chaimaa Tourki attempted to curl one into the far post, forcing a spectacular diving save from Christiana Pisani. Lija Athletic’s Elisa Xuereb cleared the resulting corner.
Lija Athletic regained attacking momentum in the final five minutes. However, attempts by Elisa Xuereb and Daniela Camilleri could not trouble the goalkeeper. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro raced behind the line but her attempt was well read by Justyne Caruana who had her near post covered. The goalkeeper snuffed out another attempt to release Katryna Grech just before the half-time whistle.
Half-Time Score: San Gwann 0 – 0 Lija Athletic
San Gwann Find The Winner
Lija Athletic’s Jethron Azzopardi made one change at the break, bringing on Rohanne Zahra instead of Leanne Micallef.
Meanwhile, Julian Camilleri appeared to change his shape for more attacking intent which almost delivered 54 minutes into the match. Nicole Saliba delivered a cross from the left wing toward Shania Gheiti who made the run into the box. However, the forward got underneath the strike which flew over the bar.
Lija Athletic attempted to get something going in attack and had an opportunity to deliver the ball into the box from a free-kick opportunity close to the hour mark. However, San Gwann’s defence was untroubled. A few minutes later, Elisa Xuereb was ready to make another one of her darts up the pitch, but Kirstie Vella marshalled her away.
Defence changed quickly into attack as Shania Gheiti was released by Yasmin Attard, with Lija Athletic’s defensive line exposed. With just the goalkeeper to beat, San Gwann’s number nine placed home a left-footed effort to score the winning goal just before the hour mark.
With the lead in their hands, San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri reacted by bringing on Nicole Camenzuli in a straight-swap with Sarah Cioffi.
Having been successful in earning a point in the first-round fixture, Lija Athletic searched for an equalising goal. They developed a major chance in the 65th minute with Katryna Grech releasing Rohanne Zahra behind the defence. However, Justyne Caruana made another important stop to keep the lead intact.
Jethron Azzopardi made another change shortly after, bringing on Edera Marmara’ instead of Katryna Grech. The number ten slotted in the centre of attack, pushing Vanessa Honorio Carneiro out wide. Daniela Camilleri also gave way to Samira Bouzid later on. The latter slotted in the heart of the defence, pushing Amy Galea Gingell into the wider midfield role instead of Camilleri. Meanwhile, Julian Camilleri also introduced Katrin Abela instead of Maria Ibrahim in a straight swap.
As the game wore on the onus was on Lija Athletic to find the equalising goal, while San Gwann were happy to maintain their defensive shape and try to mount something on the counter if the opportunity presented itself. The team in black continued winning heaps of free-kick opportunities but launching the ball into the box made little inroad to threaten San Gwann’s defence.
On the other hand, the Yellows appeared to be onto something after building well from the back in the 88th minute. Katrin Abela won the ball from Elisa Xuereb and combined with Fatma Al Girbi, before Yasmin Attard was released on the right wing. However, the cross was read by Christiana Pisani.
Tensions boiled and escalated into primitive behaviour from both teams in injury time following frustration as Lija Athletic were awarded a free-kick. No cards were brandished despite players getting in each other’s faces. Christiana Pisani made one final delivery for Lija Athletic to try to get a point, which Vanessa Honorio Carneiro got a head on. However, Fatma Al Girbi cleared to the full-time whistle.
Final Score: San Gwann 1 – 0 Lija Athletic
Standings & Next Matches
The win takes San Gwann clear in sixth place on seven points, while Lija Athletic remain in seventh with four points. The Yellows will next face Swieqi United on Thursday 23th November at 20:15.
Meanwhile, Lija Athletic prepare for an encounter against Hibernians who will be high in confidence following their victory over Mgarr United in Saturday’s final double-header. The match between Lija Athletic and Hibernians is scheduled on Friday 24th November at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30).
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[…] Athletic will come into the fixture having suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of San Gwann, who currently pip them in sixth place. Things could have perhaps panned out differently especially […]