Swieqi Equal Birkirkara’s Points Tally With Victory

Swieqi United downed the defending champions by 3 – 0, earning their largest margin of victory against the club, matching the goal difference damage inflicted on them in the first round. Salamatu Abdulai scored a brace, split by a Karima Abdulai strike to ensure the three points. Birkirkara’s night was hampered by an early injury for Maya Cachia. The victory enables Swieqi United to equal the Stripes’ points tally in the top places, before the month’s hiatus due to international breaks.

Team Selections

Patricia Araujo continued her stay in goal, behind a trusted outfield unit. Jade Schembri started her 100th appearance with Swieqi United alongside Tammy Falzon, Rafanny Mendoza Abache and Emma Xuereb. Michaela Cachia continued to operate at the root of the diamond in midfield, with captain Shona Zammit and Sarah Urpani operating as the box-to-box midfielders. Ema Micallef continued to take the playmaker’s role behind the Ghanaian partnership of Karima Abdulai and Salamatu Abdulai.

Swieqi United celebrated Jade Schembri’s 100th appearance with a presentation prior to the match.

Maya Cachia started in goal for Birkirkara, with Vince Galea reverting to the more trusted shape of a back four. Martina Fenech and Calista Schechinger started on the width to Charlene Zammit and Valentina Rapa. Gabriella Zahra started in midfield alongside Yuna Hazekawa and Luana Vitoria Cabral. Alishia Cassar and Mariah Cardona provided the width to Erica Bispo in attack.

How It Unfolded

The weight of the three points were clear from the first whistle, but it was Swieqi United who broke first in a significant moment of the match. Salamatu Abdulai was released on the run, with Maya Cachia coming out to meet her and coming off worse in the collision.

Unable to shake off the impacts of the collision, the goalkeeper’s appearance ended shortly into the quarter hour mark following lengthy treatment, with Emma Cortis taking her place between the sticks.

Birkirkara attempted to stun the Owls immediately on the switch. Patricia Araujo cleared an initial attempt to get Erica Bispo behind the defence, before Luana Vitoria Cabral attempted to rebound the clearance from distance. However, the effort landed just on the roof of the net.

Swieqi United survived a corner delivery from the defending champions with Rafanny Mendoza Abache commanding in the air before surging forward in attack.

Salamatu Abdulai seized the opportunity to send the Owls into the lead in the 27th minute, noticing the goalkeeper off her line and flicking a first-time effort to find the net from inside the box.

Swieqi United were urged to keep up the intensity of play by an animated Dorianne Theuma on the touchline. A few metres away, Vince Galea sought to trigger his side’s hunger for the equaliser. As expected, with the dawning Super Cup final on the back of everyone’s mind, the back and forth intensified in the stands as well, with everyone getting their share of feedback, including the officials.

Birkirkara threatened from a corner delivery, with Swieqi United unable to clear effectively. However, Valentina Rapa scooped the effort from just inside the box. Panicked moments ensued at the other end, with the ball given straight to Karima Abdulai. The Ghanaian fired a shot with the goalkeeper making a dive and the Swieqi bench claiming a touch, but the officials signalling for a goal-kick.

Swieqi United held their ground while continuing to set off with quick transitions to overwhelm the Birkirkara centre-back partnership and fully capitalising on goalkeeping inexperience to earn their second goal. Karima Abdulai rebounded home the second goal, following an initial save in the extensive injury time awarded following the time for Maya Cachia to receive treatment.

The Owls attempted to close off the match just before the half-time whistle, with Sarah Urpani launching another ball for Karima Abdulai to charge behind. However, the dinked attempted from distance landed wide.

Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 2 – 0 Birkirkara

Vince Galea made a double swap at the break changing to a diamond in midfield with the target of getting his team back into it. Amelia Vassallo was trusted in midfield, while Francesca Chircop was deployed in attack in partnership with Erica Bispo. Martina Fenech and Gabriella Zahra made way, with Alishia Cassar retreating into the right-back position. Calista Schechinger moved into midfield to complete the unit, while Mariah Cardona occupied the left-back position.

Birkirkara’s Alishia Cassar earned a free-kick opportunity to put the ball into the box. However, Tammy Falzon headed away Calista Schechinger’s delivery. Erica Bispo caused enough panic at the back shortly after, but Calista Schechinger’s right-footed volley rose over the bar.

Swieqi United thought they had gotten another run on the Birkirkara centre-backs, with Ema Micallef continuing to have joy in turning and picking out the pass behind. However, the Owls were denied by the offside flag. The side had another good opportunity from a corner with Ema Micallef’s delivery allowed to run to the far post. However, Tammy Falzon was unable to react in time to swing at it.

Despite this, Salamatu Abdulai found the third to close off the contest just after the hour mark. The Ghanaian ran free behind the defence, before slotting it into the far right corner of the net.

Birkirkara’s Yuna Hazekawa and Alishia Cassar both fired attempts toward Patricia Araujo, who was untroubled in goal. Sorely missing several experienced individuals, the Stripes struggled to string calm possession to get back into it. The best opportunity arrived with another set-piece, but Patricia Araujo was commanding in the air once more.

On their part, Swieqi United were in full game management mode, compact at the back, knowing they had the threat with pace up front and the control in midfield to make the transition.

Late changes were made by both coaches, with Vince Galea making a double switch in bringing on Lara May Azzopardi and Stella Francalanza, replacing Mariah Cardona and Luana Vitoria Cabral. Shannen Mallia replaced Ema Micallef for Swieqi United.

The Owls had one final opportunity through another corner kick. Shona Zammit delivered onto the head of Salamatu Abdulai at the near post. However, the Ghanaian was unable to add to the tally on the night with the effort rising over the bar.

Final Score: Swieqi United 3 – 0 Birkirkara

Standings & Next Matches

Swieqi United get revenge on the opening defeat, while equalling Birkirkara’s tally of 22 points. The result opens the door for Hibernians to reclaim first place, depending on their outcome in Saturday’s match against bottom of the table team, Mtarfa.

Swieqi United and Birkirkara will return following the month’s long hiatus because of the international breaks. The two will face each other once more, but this time with the opportunity to lift a trophy at the end of the match. They meet on Sunday 8th December at 14:00 at the Centenary Stadium for the Super Cup final.

Meanwhile, tonight will present another encounter in the Assikura Women’s League, as Mgarr United take on Valletta at the Victor Tedesco Stadium at 20:30.

Lead Image: Elise Bajada

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