by Spartak Myjava beat Swieqi United by 2 – 1 in extra-time to secure themselves a place in the next round. Sara Saliba sent Swieqi into the lead in the opening half, which was cancelled by Tamara Kramlikova just before half-time. Andrea Bogorova got the all-important winner in extra-time.
Team Selections
Spartak Myjava’s Viktoria Opalkova continued to protect the goal. There was an unchanged back four, consisting of Monika Pirtanova, Maja Dimtrijevic, Zuzana Narozna and Nina Matusicova. Captain Iveta Neved’alova continued to operate in midfield, with Eliska Dvorakova and Tamara Kramlikova pulling the strings. Andrea Bogorova led the attack, flanked by Katarina Vredikova and the only change in Radoslava Jacenkova on the right wing.
Patricia Araujo continued in goal for Swieqi United. Jade Schembri started on the right, while Emma Xuereb retained the place on the left. Tammy Falzon was partnered by Valentina Rapa. There were no changes in midfield with captain Shona Zammit continuing alongside Michaela Cachia and Andjela Kricak. Sara Saliba led the attack, with Salamatu Abdulai and Aleksandra Yaneva on her sides.
How It Unfolded
Myjava was ready for a classic and the visiting team, Swieqi United, kicked things off under the floodlights. Katarina Vredikova lit up the home crowd with a cross from the left wing but Patricia Araujo was ready to collect. Swieqi United responded with a free-kick from Shona Zammit, which caused some tension in the box for Spartak Myjava but there were no Swieqi shirts ready to capitalise.
The two started sizing each other up with Tamara Kramlikova rising for a header in the 11th minute which flashed wide. Swieqi United’s Aleksandra Yaneva responded earning a free-kick against Nina Matusicova who was cautioned early by Sofiya Prychyna for the tactical foul. The delivery found Valentina Rapa at the far post, but the header was wide and the offside flag was raised.
Sara Saliba lined one up from distance forcing a save, but the hosts saw off the danger before mounting pressure of their own. Sara Saliba was up in a defensive header from a Katarina Vredikova free-kick, before Andrea Bogorova and Katarina Vredikova both had opportunities to find the back of the net. Radoslava Jacenkova whipped an inswinging cross but Andrea Bogorova’s header was saved by Patricia Araujo.
Swieqi United responded with a crucial opportunity on the half hour mark. The side sped on the counter with Sara Saliba spreading it to Salamatu Abdulai who roped in Aleksandra Yaneva. Andjela Kricak made the supporting run, darting into the box. She sat down her marker with the turn but Viktoria Opalkova reacted to make the block on the left-footed effort to keep the score level. The end to end action ensued, with Patricia Araujo forced into a save a moment later against Andrea Bogorova.
However Sara Saliba finally broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. Released by Salamatu Abdulai, the young forward took dinked it over Viktoria Opalkova to find the bottom left side of the net, silencing the stands and charging the celebrations toward coach Dorianne Theuma.
However, the lead lasted only ten minutes, with the hosts pushing back with corner opportunities and finally defeating Swieqi’s clean sheet before the half. Tamara Kramlikova rose to meet a corner delivery, directing cleanly toward the back of the net to reignite the support in Myjava and get the team back into it.
Half-Time Score: Spartak Myjava 1 – 1 Swieqi United
The hosts started off with the majority of possession and looking to make it count as fatigue started to set in on both sides. Swieqi United appeared to be focused on holding a compact shape behind the ball and picking the opportunity to go forward. On the wing, the battle between Emma Xuereb and Katarina Vredikova continued to bubble, as Myjava sought to get themselves into the lead.
Spartak Myjava appeared to be onto something as Monika Pirtanova darted into the box but couldn’t get the purchase before Valentina Rapa made the clearance. The ever-alert Michaela Cachia was next to sweep a delivery out of the box, before Myjava increased pressure with numbers into the box. On their end, Swieqi United struggled to get the counter-attack fluidity going, with pressure mounting on the defence. However, the efforts were off target keeping things level.
Changes ensued as Sara Kovasova, Sara Krsiakova and Barbora Marholtova all took to the pitch for Spartak Myjava by the 80th minute.
Swieqi United’s Tammy Falzon was withstanding pressure to build from the back, before Shona Zammit whipped a cross in. Salamatu Abdulai attempted to rise but Viktoria Opalkova was alert to meet it.
Time ticked for full time, with the visitors support opting for minute opportunity to make their voices heard in the occasional lull afforded by the home support. Spartak Myjava sought a heartbreaker at the end of the ninety with six minutes of injury time afforded. However, Swieqi United battled away a free-kick and successive corners to send it into extra-time.
Score At 90 Minutes: Spartak Myjava 1 – 1 Swieqi United
Swieqi United managed a chance through good pressing by Aleksandra Yaneva, but having done good work to get the ball, the forward opted for an impossible shot from the tight angle, despite numbers in support, letting the home side off the hook.
However, the crucial moment came as Sara Saliba was forced off by injury, with Sarah Urpani delayed in taking to the pitch. Though Swieqi United saw off the corner with ten, the release was read by Tamara Kramlikova and the hosts punished to full effect. The midfielder picked the run of Andrea Bogorova with the forward sending the home support on their feet with the low finish across the goal in the 101st minute.
Sarah Urpani took to the field balancing the numbers before Tammy Falzon took a booking for the team as Andrea Bogorova sought to get forward in search of a cushion of two goals. Sara Korvasova pulled Patricia Araujo into a diving save in the added time as the rain arrived to add further excitement to the fold.
Swieqi United’s attempts to get back into it in the final half were thwarted by effective time-management from the hosts. Frustration mounted as the officials obliged to the stop-start affair with time ticking down and advantage opportunities denied for Swieqi United to get back into things.
The visitors were still searching to send things to penalties, with a free-kick from Sarah Urpani flicked on by Aleksandra Yaneva. However, Myjava’s defence recovered before Viktoria Opalkova read the second delivery from Emma Xuereb. Spartak Myjava’s Katarina Vredikova had one final opportunity to put things to bed at the 119th minute, but slipped at the crucial moment.
Andjela Kricak landed in the book despite seemingly taking the ball, before Aleksandra Yaneva earned one final opportunity for Swieqi United with a free-kick. The delivery was whipped toward the far post but the finish was wide of the mark, to send the home team into ecstasy as the whistle sounded to end proceedings, marking progression into the next round.
Final Score AET: Spartak Myjava 2 – 1 Swieqi United
Standings
The first-round mini-tournament comes to a close with Spartak Myjava progressing to the second round where they will face Slovenian champions ZNK Mura. The winner will face the winner between Kazakhstan’s WFC BIIK-Shymkent and Poland’s GKS Katowice.
Swieqi United clinch second place in the group on their debut in the competition, while the other debutants in the group, ZFK Buducnost Podgorica, clinched third place in their play-off against Agarista with 3 – 0.
The live-action may be re-viewed here and here.
Lead Image: VladimÃr Pyxel Domen
Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
