by Tomorrow afternoon promises the first piece of silverware for Birkirkara or Swieqi United. Although a repeat of last year’s Super Cup match-up, a look at the past year suggests that things may be just a bit different for each side this time round.
The Last Year
Birkirkara and Swieqi United will meet again for the Super Cup tomorrow, in a repeat of last year’s final. Last year, the Stripes secured the trophy with two goals, courtesy of Ann-Marie Said and Sara Saliba. However, in the year that has expired since then, the two teams have certainly evolved and the dynamic of how they go about it will likely be different this time round.
The Stripes grabbed their eleventh league title last season. However, an extra-time goal saw them relinquish the hopes of the treble, with the Owls progressing from the quarter-final stage of the Assikura Women’s Knockout instead and ultimately lifting their maiden trophy.
Since then, both teams have had a transfer window to reshuffle the pack, while Swieqi United also had a change in coaching staff, electing Saviour Darmanin to lead the side. The two teams met twice in the league over the last month or so, which continued the persistent idea that the Owls have continued to close the gap to the Stripes.
Swieqi United secured a late win in the first match to bring Birkirkara’s unbeaten streak to an end. However, the two sides could not be separated after ninety minutes in the second match, which followed just over a week later. Both defences came out with a clean sheet, meaning that Birkirkara are yet to score against Swieqi United this season.
Some Key Things From This Year’s Encounters
Considering the changes that happened over the summer, perhaps the only matches worth considering for any insight into how tomorrow’s final may pan out are this year’s two league fixtures. A look at the statistics suggests that Birkirkara were rather wayward with their finishing in the first match, but worked Patricia Araujo more in the second, registering more than 65% of their shots on target. Marta Grosso was most on target with her shots, but the Stripes have thrived on having a wide variety of goal-scorers in the league. So, the question will be whether they can improve their ruthlessness under pressure.
Swieqi United were not the epitome of accuracy either in the previous two meets, with less than half of their total shots working Janice Xuereb. Despite this, Karima Abdulai’s goal is the only one that has separated the two sides this season. In this regard, perhaps the quality and location of the shot could be a more worthy statistic to consider.
Besides improving the finishing quality from open play, the two sides will certainly be looking at their set-piece conversion rates. Games between the two have often been settled by small score-lines and free-kicks have played an important role. To give some examples, last year’s opener in the Super Cup was a direct free-kick by Ann-Marie Said. Similarly, the goal that separated them in last year’s Assikura Women’s Knockout emerged from a free-kick opportunity which Jessica Dimech delivered from midfield. This year proved no different, with Karima Abdulai heading home Dorianne Theuma’s delivery from just outside the box.
The midfield battle has continued to dominate the majority of the matches, but there was more action in the final third in the second match. The two teams matched each other in their formations which presented an even crowd in midfield and a highly physical battle as well. However, with both sides fielding pacey forwards, defenders have had to be on their toes to thwart dangers from counter-attacks or direct play.
From a defensive standpoint, neither have been afraid to leave their mark on each other, with the number of fouls committed going into double figures for both sides in either league encounters this season. Although a variety of players donning Birkirkara’s shirt won fouls across both matches, they appeared to be more selective in who they fouled in the second encounter as opposed to the first. In the second, Swieqi United’s captain Dorianne Theuma was the most fouled, while Shona Zammit and Karima Abdulai followed suit in the tally.
Considering that Theuma and Zammit are certainly threats in attack creation for the Owls, while Abdulai’s pace can be difficult to handle, one could see how this would be a worthy strategy. Of course, it could all just be a coincidence, or perhaps something that the Owls are searching for in their own scheme.
While free-kicks have been certainly utilised in match-ups, corner kicks have been less so. Birkirkara have had the lion’s share of opportunities over the two league encounters, but are yet to convert. On the other hand, it is interesting to note the relative drought of corner kick opportunities that they’ve afforded Swieqi United.
Do League Encounters Matter?
League matches offer the luxury of playing it safe enough to settle for a point over ninety minutes. On the other hand, a do-or-die match with the promise of silverware is a different beast altogether. In such cases, it is often suggested that league match analysis may be irrelevant because the tactical approach and psychology is completely different. Despite this, the characteristics of a team do not change overnight, nor does their style of play. Hence, while there will always be a few tricks and tweaks, it would be surprising if one witnesses a completely different match.
There is one difference though, failure to win it over ninety minutes will push the match into extra-time, and if need be, penalties. In this regard, the squad depth could play an important role. Saviour Darmanin was more reluctant to dip into his bench in the two league encounters, making just one change in the second game. On the other hand, Jose’ Borg made a total of five substitutions across both matches.
Considering the players in both camps, Birkirkara certainly have more experience in their depth. However, if Sara Saliba’s goal last year showed anything, it is that a little bit of youthful ambition could offer another twist in the tale. It will be interesting to see how much the coaches will be willing to gamble on this.
Perhaps the one factor that has truly changed since last year’s Super Cup remains the fact that Swieqi United now have the confidence of having beaten the Stripes twice in a span of a few months. It means that Swieqi United go into the match with a more credible belief that they could be truly beginning a new era, while Birkirkara will go into it with a renewed vigour to stamp their credentials and revitalise their dominance.
One thing’s for sure, whether you fly the flag with Birkirkara’s stripes, that of Swieqi United orange, or a different one altogether, this is one encounter that is not to be missed. The final will be played tomorrow at the Centenary Stadium at 15:00. Tickets may be purchased online for both sides, or in the case of Birkirkara may also be purchased at Drinks n’ More in St. Julian’s or Intersport in Qormi.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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