by San Gwann secured a 2 – 0 victory against Mtarfa. Substitute Hailey Russell opened the scoring in the second half, with Chaimaa Tourki doubling up three minutes later having also provided the assist for the opener. San Gwann also secured their fifth clean sheet of the season in the match.
Team Selections
Maria Abdilla started in goal for Mtarfa, protected by a back four. Rebecca Zammit captained the side, starting alongside Paula Ciappara at the centre of the defence, with Claire Versteegh and Angele Fenech on the flanks. Kerrie Ciappara and Shania Spiteri started in front of the defence, with Eliza Csik given the license to push forward. Jasmine Camilleri and Laura Echeverri Tobon started on the wings, with Oumayma Jelili leading the attack.
Justyne Caruana remained in goal for San Gwann, with Kirstie Vella captaining the side in defence, starting alongside Nanako Kobayashi and Naomi Blundell. Katrin Abela and Kirsty Paris operated on the flanks, while Chaimaa Tourki, Martina Schembri and Fatma Al Girbi held the midfield. Shania Gheiti and Yasmin Attard led the attack.
How It Unfolded
San Gwann had two early successive corners courtesy of an early tussle between Angele Fenech and Shania Gheiti which proved an indication of things to come. However, Mtarfa saw away the danger with Shania Spiteri and Paula Ciappara both clearing the lines.
On their part, Mtarfa were not keen on just defending their posts, but looked to mount some attacking pressure of their own. Eliza Csik combined well with Kerrie Ciappara on a couple of occasions, but found San Gwann’s defence ready to hold its ground and ready to rotate play in search of going forward once more.
The midfield tussle ensued with Eliza Csik and Chaimaa Tourki both heavily targeted as the key initiators for the two teams. The duo tried their luck from distance when managing to find space for it, but neither goalkeeper was too bothered.
However, San Gwann continued being the dominant force in possession, earning themselves chances to put the ball in the box but to no avail. Shania Gheiti earned the side an opportunity for a direct strike from a free-kick, but Chaimaa Tourki’s attempt was off target.
The team in blue looked like they were onto something on the right wing in a quick transition after Angele Fenech recovered possession. She nicked it to Jasmine Camilleri who involved Kerrie Ciappara and Eliza Csik. However, the San Gwann defence shut the door.
San Gwann’s front duo combined well in the 36th minute to create the side’s best opportunity of the half. Shania Gheiti did well to keep the ball in play with a back-heel on the byline. Yasmin Attard fired the shot but saw it fizz just above the bar from the tight angle. Kirsty Paris was also lively on the wing, putting two crosses into the box late on, but found Rebecca Zammit ready to clear the first, before Yasmin Attard was off target with the finish on the second delivery.
Half-Time Score: Mtarfa 0 – 0 San Gwann
The same sets of players returned to the pitch on the restart but Julian Camilleri looked to his bench in the 50th minute with a triple change. Hailey Russell replaced Yasmin Attard up top, while there were changes on the flanks with Annabelle Rapa and Rabab Mhalli taking to the pitch instead of Katrin Abela and Kirsty Paris.
Hailey Russell was quickly on the trot but dispossessed by Angele Fenech who was happy to concede the corner. Paula Ciappara saw away the danger. However, the Yellows kept piling forward. The side earned themselves another shooting opportunity, which Fatma Al Girbi hit with venom but saw fly just over the bar.
Mtarfa responded with a couple of opportunities of their own. Rebecca Zammit launched from the right wing, with the first targeted at the near post. Justyne Caruana got something on it, before San Gwann cleared the lines, although a goal-kick was given by the officials.
More changes followed as things still hung in the balance following the hour mark. Shakira Falzon replaced Oumayma Jelili in attack for Mtarfa, while Nilayza Attard took to the pitch instead of Shania Gheiti for San Gwann. Attard slotted on the left wing, pushing Rabab Mhalli forward.
The team in Yellow secured the victory with two quick goals. Chaimaa Tourki dinked a ball for Hailey Russell to run onto in the box, with the American placing it into the right side of the post to open the scoring in the 70th minute.
Chaimaa Tourki delivered the second just three minutes later with a free-kick from the left-wing that was deflected into the net.
San Gwann sought to utilise the momentum with further forward drives, but Mtarfa held their ground, unafraid to put in some hefty challenges. However, the Blues struggled to get out from their half, with the midfield trio of Martina Schembri, Fatma Al Girbi and Chaimaa Tourki still operating in full flow for San Gwnan. The side had another free-kick opportunity which Rabab Mhalli looked to curl but was denied by Maria Abdilla in goal.
Mtarfa continued rotating their squad, with Emily Gatt, Katya Camilleri and Saleisha Ghigo all taking to the pitch instead of Jasmine Camilleri, Kerrie Ciappara and Laura Echeverri Tobon. Thais Muscat also to the pitch instead of Martina Schembri for San Gwann, slotting on the right wing, while Annabelle Rapa shifted into midfield.
Muscat was lively quickly into her appearance, making a run up the wing and cutting back the pass to Fatma Al Girbi. However, the finish was wide of the mark. Mtarfa’s Eliza Csik responded with an attempt to rope in Emily Gatt who made the run on the wing in support at the other end. However, she was overpowered by Nilayza Attard.
Hailey Russell called Maria Abdilla into action once more with another powerful shot from distance. However, the Mtarfa goalkeeper palmed it over the bar, with Mtarfa seeing out the resulting corner.
Final Score: Mtarfa 0 – 2 San Gwann
Standings & Next Matches
San Gwann take their tally to nineteen points in the Bottom Four pool. They will next face Lija Athletic on Friday (24th) at the Charles Abela Stadium, at 20:30. Mtarfa will meet Valletta on Thursday (23rd) at the Centenary Stadium, with the latter coming into it following a 1 – 0 victory against Lija Athletic.
Today presents two matches from the Top Four as Hibernians and Birkirkara meet at 14:00, before Mgarr United and Swieqi square it off at 16:30. Both matches will be played at Dingli Ground.
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1 Response
[…] The two teams will meet for the third time this season, with Valletta holding all the points from the first two meets and coming into it on the back of a victory. However, Mtarfa will feel they managed a small victory in returning to the pitch against San Gwann, and managing to limit the score to a 2 – 0 defeat. […]