by Swieqi United converted their first three points under Dorianne Theuma’s tenure, downing Valletta by 3-0. Rafanny Mendoza Abache got things going from the penalty spot in the 70th minute, before Emma Xuereb doubled the lead. An own goal was also scored to wrap up the scoreline.
Team Selection
Patricia Araujo continued her stay in goal for Swieqi United. There were no changes in the defence, with Jade Schembri and Emma Xuereb providing the width to Rafanny Mendoza Abache and Tammy Falzon. Captain Shona Zammit continued to orchestrate in midfield in the company of Michaela Cachia and Ema Micallef. Nicola Lebakos debuted on the right wing, while Sarah Urpani and Maria Vella completed the attack.
Meanwhile, Andressa de Souza Ramos started between the posts for Valletta. Sabrin Blihi stood in the centre of the defence alongside Eduarda Martins Souza and Megan La Rosa. Monique Sultana started in midfield together with Ylenia Grech and Suzanne Farrugia Sacco. Sarah Vella Barberi and captain Anna Aloisio occupied the wings. Marcelle de Oliveira Julio partnered Laura Muscat in attack.
How It Unfolded
The game kicked off as a tight affair, with neither side quite able to take control of possession early on as the shiny football reflected the setting August sun in the exchanges. Maria Vella and Nicola Lebakos had an early swing for Swieqi United but Andressa de Souza Ramos was equal to the attempts. At the other end, Anna Aloisio tried her luck from distance but got underneath the volley.
Valletta had an opportunity to put the ball into the box close to the quarter-hour mark, however Rafanny Mendoza Abache headed away Marcelle de Oliveira Julio’s delivery.
Meanwhile, the Owls were urged to increase the pace of their passing by coach Dorianne Theuma, while Jean Lopes was guiding his side in thwarting play. Valletta were successful in congesting the midfield, utilising a high defensive line that Swieqi United appeared unwilling to attack directly.
Although the referee, Matthias Buttigieg, did not stop play for an initial head-clash involving Marcelle de Oliveira Julio, the game did stop a few seconds later as Laura Muscat collapsed. She was deemed unable to continue and replaced by debutant Cisse Fatoumata.
The Citizens managed to create another opportunity in transition with Sarah Vella Barberi releasing Marcelle de Oliveira Julio. She took it away from her marker with one touch, but Patricia Araujo was equal to the finish. At the other end, the team felt hard-done by an officiation decision after Sabrin Blihi appeared to take away the ball in a tackle on Maria Vella, but Swieqi United got the kick. However, Andressa de Souza Ramos collected, before Swieqi United were the next to be on the referee’s case as he brandished a booking for impeding the goalkeeper.
Valletta managed an opportunity as Anna Aloisio crossed a ball into Marcelle de Oliveira Julio, who lobbed her marker, but saw her finish deflected. Swieqi United saw away the corner threat with little sweat.
The game opened up more as the final few minutes of the first half drew to a close, with both sides managing to get their forwards behind the defensive lines. Anna Aloisio was released by Cisse Fatoumata who controlled well and played the pass. Aloisio had the beating of her marker on pace, but was wide with the finish.
At the other end, Sarah Urpani’s cross was behind Maria Vella, with no secondary runners to get away a shot. Maria Vella managed to latch onto a loose ball in Valletta’s box a few minutes later, but dawdled on the shot, with the Citizens’ defence managing to clear away.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 0 – 0 Valletta
Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma made one switch at the break, bringing on Thea Ida Scicluna in replacement of Nicola Lebakos. Scicluna occupied the left-back position, pushing Emma Xuereb further forward. It was a change that injected the much needed pace for the Swieqi United frontline.
In conjunction, Jean Lopes tweaked positions, brining Anna Aloisio into the centre-back trio, while pushing Eduarda Martins Souza in midfield. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco shifted to the left wing-back duties.
Valletta had the first sniff of a chance on the restart, with Cisse Fatoumata released in transition and getting a chance against Patricia Araujo. However, the goalkeeper was well positioned to make the low save. The French player had the beating of her marker a few minutes later once more, but opted for the shot from a tight angle which favoured Patricia Araujo.
Swieqi responded with a good build-up that maximised the half-time tweak and foreshadowed things to come. Patricia Araujo picked out Michaela Cachia who found her captain Shona Zammit. The skipper executed a well-weighted pass to release Emma Xuereb into space. She darted to the byline before crossing toward Sarah Urpani. However, Andressa de Souza Ramos suffocated the shot.
The Owls were managing to expose more spaces, with Shona Zammit also having a go from distance but at comfortable height for the Valletta goalkeeper. However, pressure mounted on Valletta with Emma Xuereb causing all sorts of trouble with her pace.
Jean Lopes made his first switch a double, bringing on Sarah Fenech in a straight swap with Suzanne Farrugia Sacco, while Kim Fava replaced debutant Cisse Fatoumata.
The referee Matthias Buttigieg was having a tough time of things as a clear obstruction of play went on behind his back as Swieqi United attempted to take a quick free-kick, with no support from his assistant referees.
Things took a worse turn, as the referee pointed to the spot for an apparent foul on Emma Xuereb by Andressa de Souza Ramos, even though the goalkeeper appeared to take all of the ball. A chat with the assistant referee appeared to confirm the penalty, to the surprise of onlookers.
Rafanny Mendoza Abache stepped up and fired into the post and in, sending Swieqi United ahead and converting their first goal of the season in the 70th minute. The jeers from the Valletta faithful toward the officials were deafening.
Dorianne Theuma reacted with another change, this time at right-back, bringing on Ilona Abela while Jade Schembri gave way. Alicia Mifsud took to the pitch in replacement of Monique Sultana shortly after for Valletta.
With Swieqi United’s plan working effectively, Emma Xuereb was released once more by Michaela Cachia, before trying to nutmeg the goalkeeper. However, Andressa de Souza Ramos managed to get the block. Swieqi United continued forcing the issue, with Shona Zammit looking for the space for the shot but forced wide by the Valletta defence, before clipping a ball into the box. However, Emma Xuereb could not get there on the stretch.
Valletta were still showing character to search for an equaliser. They had a look in for the draw with a major strike from Marcelle de Oliveira Julio, while unable to effectively trouble the Owls from corners.
However, Swieqi United earned the comfort of a two goal cushion in the 85th minute. Maria Vella crossed to Emma Xuereb, who had time to control the shot before placing into the bottom right corner. The assister Maria Vella gave way shortly after, with Eva Koneva making her debut for the Owls on the wing.
Valletta were still searching for something back and managed to earn themselves a corner. Ylenia Grech put the ball into a good area, eventually finding Sabrin Blihi at the far post. She fired on the turn but Patricia Araujo displayed good reflexes to hold on to it.
Swieqi United wrapped up the evening with another as Shona Zammit’s corner delivery was fired into the net by Sabrin Blihi.
Final Score: Swieqi United 3 – 0 Valletta
Next Matches
Swieqi United grab their first three points of the season, which will boost confidence ahead of their next encounter. They next face the defending champions Birkirkara, whom they meet at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Friday 13th September at 20:30.
Valletta will feel hard done by the one-sided scoreline after having had good spells in the match. However, they will look to pick themselves up before facing Mgarr United on Saturday the 14th at Dingli Ground (20:30).
The other match at Dingli Ground ended in a goalless stalemate between Mgarr United and Hibernians.
The Assikura Women’s League will break off for the week, as Birkirkara host the UEFA Women’s Champions League matches of CP Group 4 at the Centenary Stadium on the 4th and 7th of September.
Make sure to never miss an Assikura Women’s League match by syncing your calendar here.
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