Swieqi Deliver Commanding Victory Over Lija

Swieqi United secured their best win yet this season, with a 5 – 0 score over Lija Athletic. Sarah Urpani opened the scoring, before Karima Abdulai delivered a brace on either side of half-time. Maria Vella and Rafanny Mendoza Abache completed the scoring.

Team Selections

Swieqi United’s Patricia Araujo continued in goal, with the defence featuring two changes. Jade Schembri returned to the right back position, with Thea Ida Scicluna continuing at left-back. Michaela Cachia started at the heart of the defence instead of Tammy Falzon, alongside Rafanny Mendoza Abache. Ema Micallef operated in front of the defence, with captain Shona Zammit and Sarah Urpani pulling the strings further forward. Salamatu Abdulai occupied the number ten role behind the continued partnership between Jade Flask and Karima Abdulai.

There was consistency in goal for Lija Athletic as well, with Christiana Pisani. The defence featured the debut of Milena Stagno at left-back, while Samira Bouzid, Nell Zarb Cousin and Shakira Bugeja completed the four-piece defence. Sarah Micallef (nee Caruana) made her first appearance this season in midfield, alongside Rachel Mifsud who captained the side. Edera Marmara’ and Katryna Grech operated on the flanks, while Vanessa Honorio Carneiro supported Leanne Micallef in attack.

How It Unfolded

The teams set out on their missions with the expected play as Swieqi United looked to open up a Lija Athletic side which was determined to frustrate and hit on the counter-attack. The Owls were keen on a quick start with Jade Flask signalling the intentions with an early shot at Christiana Pisani, which the goalkeeper punched away, before Shona Zammit fired the rebound from distance over the bar.

Donning new blue kits, Swieqi United earned themselves several set-piece opportunities within the first fifteen minutes. However, Lija Athletic were up to the task with the wall doing its job in free-kicks, while doing well to get to the corner deliveries. Rafanny Mendoza Abache did manage to get a header on a corner delivery by Ema Micallef as the tenth minute approached, but was wide of the mark with the finish.

Although moving the ball with a good pace, the Owls struggled to release runners behind, with the defensive line of Lija Athletic well positioned to suffocate the space, allowing Christiana Pisani to gather often. On the other hand, Swieqi United continued to be unafraid to pull the trigger from distance, while showing good movement, with Jade Flask often also dropping deep to pick up possession and dislodge players from the Lija defensive setup.

However, the set-piece count continued to increase, with Stefania Bonnici happy to stop play, and Swieqi United made it count in the 23rd minute. Sarah Urpani fired a shot from a free-kick on the left side of the box, curling it into the far corner of the net to open the scoring.

On their part, the team in red earned themselves two free-kick opportunities close to the half-hour mark, with Vanessa Honorio Carneiro earning the whistle. The team almost snuck in the equaliser with the first. Shakira Bugeja launched from the right wing, finding Edera Marmara’ who helped it on. However, Katryna Grech could not arrive at the far post in time to apply the finishing touch.

The speedy winger was on the trot a few minutes later to attempt to catch Swieqi United in transition, but Jade Schembri applied enough pressure to deny the space for the shot.

Swieqi United continued having heaps of set-piece opportunities, while Lija Athletic picked their spots with the counter-attacks. However, it was Swieqi United who made the pressure pay just before half-time. Shona Zammit managed to open enough space to thread a ball for Karima Abdulai to run onto, with the Ghanaian taking a couple of touches before driving low into the near side of the net, doubling the lead.

Half-Time Score: Lija Athletic 0 – 2 Swieqi United

There were no changes at the break, and Swieqi United got themselves going early on, with Karima Abdulai applying the finishing touch on a cross launched from the wing to make it three. At this point, Lija Athletic retreated further, with the plan clearly changing to one of damage limitation.

Dorianne Theuma shuffled the pack close to the hour mark, bringing on Miriana Conti in defence instead of Michaela Cachia, while Maria Vella took to the pitch instead of Karima Abdulai.

Despite the sea of bodies in red, Swieqi United continued adopting a patient approach to rotate the ball in search for more. Maria Vella made her appearance pay, firing the fourth into the bottom left corner of the net in the 69th minute.

Both coaches responded with changes shortly after. Shannen Mallia took to the pitch instead of Sarah Urpani for Swieqi United. There was a change in goal shortly after with Chanelle Borg replacing Patricia Araujo, while Tea Kimamo made her senior debut replacing Ema Micallef. Daniela Camilleri also replaced Edera Marmara’, while Leanne Micallef gave way to Yanica Zammit, for Lija Athletic. Corinne Deguara also replaced Sarah Caruana.

Swieqi United completed the scoring in the 81st minute, through a well-worked free-kick earned by Shona Zammit who was clipped by Shakira Bugeja, with the latter landing in the book. Salamatu Abdulai fed a low ball to Shona Zammit who got the first touch, before Rafanny Mendoza Abache drilled in the finish.

Swieqi United continued their search for more, with the young introductions of Shannen Mallia and Tea Kimamo showing good linking in midfield. The side had further oppotunities from a free-kick which Shona Zammit delivered to Rafanny Mendoza Abache who headed wide. Jade Flask also kept alive a corner delivery shortly after, but Shannen Mallia was off-target with the finish.

Final Score: Lija Athletic 0 – 5 Swieqi United

Next Matches

Swieqi United register their biggest win of the season to take their tally to nine points, putting themselves on equal terms with Mgarr United. The side will return to action against Mtarfa on Saturday (5th October) at Mgarr Ground (KO 17:30).

Meanwhile, Lija Athletic will look to have a better showing when they meet Mgarr United at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, on Friday (4th October), with the match starting at 20:30.

Lead Image: Michael Azzopardi (Swieqi United)

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