by Birkirkara ended their year with a 5 – 1 victory against Valletta. The two teams were locked level until the break with Luana Vitoria Cabral’s opener immediately cancelled by Rodianne Zerafa. However, the defending champions secured a strong win with second half contributions from Luana Vitoria Cabral, Charlene Zammit, Erica Bispo and Alishia Cassar.
Team Selections
Birkirkara’s Maya Cachia continued her stay between the posts, protected by a back-line consisting of Calista Schechinger, Charlene Zammit, Valentina Rapa and captain Alishia Cassar. Despite being a doubt before the Christmas break, Gabriella Zahra was in the starting eleven, continuing her stay in midfield with Yuna Hazekawa. Raina Giusti and Mariah Cardona started on the flanks, while Luana Vitoria Cabral supported Erica Bispo in attack.
Meanwhile, Gabriella Grima also continued her settled stay in goal for Valletta. A defensive unit of Sabrin Blihi, Eunice Micallef, Megan La Rosa, Lisa Vella and captain Anna Aloisio was selected by Jean Lopes. Monique Sultana and Ylenia Grech continued to operate in midfield, while Sarah Fenech and Laura Muscat were deployed on the wings. Rodianne Zerafa led the attack.
How It Unfolded
The game got off to a quick start with Luana Vitoria Cabral sending Birkirkara into the lead within the sixth minute. She was found on the edge of the box, and encouraged for the shot, she let fly toward the left post. Gabriella Grima got something on the ball, but not enough to keep out the Stripes.
However, the lead was short-lived with Valletta responding immediately. Laura Muscat pushed forward on the wing, before releasing Rodianne Zerafa who made the diagonal run in support. The forward continued her goalscoring form for the Citizens, placing a low effort into the far left corner of the goal to beat Maya Cachia.
Having let their lead slip immediately, the onus circled right back onto Birkirkara to regain the lead. Yuna Hazekawa attempted a strike from distance, but the left-footed effort was wide of the post. The team also looked to capitalise from a corner, but Sabrin Blihi beat Valentina Rapa to the delivery to clear the lines.
The Stripes enjoyed the majority of possession, but were urged toward better intent in rotating play against the discipline of Valletta by Vince Galea. Meanwhile, Valletta were encouraged to press forward as a unit by Jean Lopes, with Rodianne Zerafa too often leading the press by herself.
While Valletta had deeper opportunities to launch balls into the box, the major opportunities were still created by the Stripes. However, the team lacked the finishing touches. Luana Vitoria Cabral managed to sneak behind defensive lines, but saw her effort skewed left of the post in the 35th minute. Valentina Rapa continued to be a key forward passer, releasing Calista Schechinger shortly after who made the inward run. However, her effort was saved by Gabriella Grima. Gabriella Zahra attempted to convert a corner delivery, but saw the placed effort go wide of the mark.
Valletta threatened with a free-kick, which saw the Stripes attempt to gain an advantage with the counter-attack, but Eunice Micallef cleared the lines. Birkirkara had a final opportunity to strike late in the half with a free-kick, but Ylenia Grech headed out the delivery. Rodianne Zerafa looked to push into one final counter-attack for her team, but was crowded out.
Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 1 – 1 Valletta
The match restarted in similar vein, with Birkirkara on the front foot, but finding Valletta’s defensive trio Sabrin Blihi, Lisa Vella and Eunice Micallef often ready to read play. Still chances piled for the defending champions, with Valentina Rapa denied a header by Gabriella Grima.
Raina Giusti injected some pace into the match with a forward drive before picking out Mariah Cardona’s run in support. She delivered a cut-back to Alishia Cassar, whose effort was palmed into the crossbar by Gabriella Grima.
However, Luana Vitoria Cabral found the second of the afternoon in the 58th minute to send the Stripes back into the lead once more. The Brazilian latched onto an effort from Raina Giusti before placing into the right side of the net. Valletta argued the offside flag venomously but the goal stood. Giusti gave way to Amelia Vassallo shortly after, with Vince Galea looking for his team to continue piling pressure.
The Stripes extended their lead in the 70th minute from a corner. Calista Schechinger picked out Charlene Zammit at the far post, with the defender connecting well to place the ball into the net at her near post. Vince Galea followed it up with another switch, with Maia Gauci coming into the fray at right-back, while Gabriella Zahra gave way. The change pushed Alishia Cassar offensively.
Valletta’s defences gave way, with Erica Bispo making it four in the 75th minute. The Brazilian placed an effort into the bottom right corner, despite Gabriella Grima getting a foot on the ball on its way in.
Jean Lopes reacted with a double switch, bringing on Kady Zammit in replacement of Laura Muscat, while Hannah Grima was deployed in attack, replacing Sarah Fenech. Rodianne Zerafa shifted out wide. Birkirkara’s Elena Saia also made a late appearance on the wing, replacing Mariah Cardona.
Meanwhile, referee Jonathan Balzan got himself into trouble with inconsistent bookings. Having been a stickler for dishing out a card throughout the match for balls kicked out of play in frustration or attempting to finish after the offside flag had been raised, to both sides, the official appeared reluctant to dish out a second yellow to Alishia Cassar who finished a goal following an offside call.
The Valletta support were further infuriated as the Birkirkara skipper finished off the scoring a minute later. Charlene Zammit was keen on pushing the team forward with a midfield drive. Having run into traffic, the veteran raced back to win back possession, before picking out Alishia Cassar’s diagonal run into the box. Cassar placed it into the net for the fifth in the 81st minute.
Cassar’s desire for a second yellow piled, with Birkirkara’s number nine lingering in the Valletta box as they attempted to play a goal-kick, before ultimately Jonathan Balzan obliged with a second yellow following a later infringement a few minutes before the full-time whistle.
Final Score: Birkirkara 5 – 1 Valletta
Standings & Next Matches
Birkirkara maintain pace in third place, taking their tally to 29 points, while Valletta remain sixth on eleven. The Assikura Women’s League is expected to return in January 2025 starting with the final match of Round 2, before the League Split is enacted. However, fixtures are yet to be announced by the Malta Football Association.
Birkirkara will meet Mtarfa on their return, while Valletta will face San Gwann.
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