by Swieqi United and Hibernians will take to the Victor Tedesco Stadium at 20:30 with sight set on achieving their targets. Dorianne Theuma’s comments indicate a side unfazed by the unbeaten leaders and with sight set on reducing the gap to just one point at the top. Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino is equally determined for his team to extend their lead to seven points from third place, underlying the pressure lies with the adversary.
Positive End To First Round
Swieqi United and Hibernians head into the second round at the right end of the table. The Owls captured their first victory against top-four opposition in the final match, downing Mgarr United by 1 – 0, putting themselves in third place on fifteen points. Hibernians ensured an unbeaten start with a 8 – 0 victory against Lija Athletic, taking their tally to nineteen points at the top of the table.
Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma rejected the notion that the match against Mgarr United was more of a match where the two hampered each other, more than imposed their own game. On the contrary, the young coach was pleased with how her side managed the match to grab the win against the Greens.
She said, “We knew we had to step it up and I believe the team did just that. Week after week we have been improving our performances and this week we showed more character and tactical discipline than any of our previous games.”
Questioned about the maturity shown by her side to manage the win, the Swieqi United praised her side’s showing, “We were very aware we were up against a more mature squad with quality players, however I felt we were the better team.”
Eyeing further strides, the coach continued, “Given the opportunities we had, which don’t come often in these games, I would have liked the team to close off the game earlier. However, we stuck to our own game plan and with patience, we executed what we trained.”
Her counterpart Kenneth Costantino was equally buoyed by his side’s performance against Lija Athletic, with several players contributing to earn the victory to keep up the positive start to the season. With his team leading the league table, the experienced coach reflected on the trajectory thus far in view of the objectives of the season.
Costantino said, “When we discussed the requirements for the current season we identified goals-scored and goals-conceded as our main areas for improvement. After one round we are the team who scored most (32) and conceded least (2). This is a massive improvement over last season. The fact that goals scored came from many different players and from different roles is also positive, as we do not rely on one player to win games.”
Tightly Poised: Cutting A Lead To One Point Or Extending It To Seven
The two sides opened the Assikura Women’s League, with Hibernians coming out on top by 2 – 0, courtesy of Martina Borg and Natalee Geren. However, the second round brings different elements at play, with the sides having had time to assess each other’s setups, as well as a chance for newcomers to steady themselves with their teams.
Dorianne Theuma is expecting her team to close the gap this time round, although aware of the Paolites’ momentum, “For our first game we had key players who were either not present or not fully-fit. We are expecting to face a team with high morale, well organised and experienced. We are definitely more prepared this time around. It will be a nice challenge to watch.”
The Owls will go into this knowing that they have the opportunity to reduce the gap to the top to one point, but the worst alternative sees them fall seven points behind first place.
Asked whether she believes her team has the right mentality to break Hibernians’ unbeaten streak, the Swieqi United coach quipped, “Mgarr were also a team yet to lose a game before we faced them last week. However we didn’t think about that last week and are not interested in it this week. We like to direct our focus on our own game, having fun, while at the same time playing good football.”
Meanwhile, Kenneth Costantino is equally expecting a close battle, “Games between the top teams are always a close affair. I don’t envisage this game to be different. Whilst it is true that each team is in a position to assess each other’s gameplay, we are well aware that whoever makes the least mistakes has the highest probability of winning. In the first round we had a very good game and we must replicate this if we want to win.”
As to the question of building a seven-point lead from the Owls, who sit in third, Kenneth Costantino suggested his team are in the right headspace, “Right now the pressure is of course on Swieqi. As you rightly indicated a win would take us seven points above them. The players have a positive mindset and a strong sense of belonging. Our aim will always be to win every game and this will not be any different.”
Sharp in their words and focused on their game-plans, the two coaches will lead their sides tonight at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. Kick-off is set at 20:30.
This weekend will be followed by the international break, where Malta’s contingent will be travelling to Rome to face Italy on the 25th October, at the Tre Fontane Stadium, KO 18:15.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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