Swieqi Keep Up The Chase With Victory Over Lija

Swieqi United secured an 8 – 0 victory over Lija Athletic to rise to second place. Salamatu Abdulai grabbed a hat-trick, with Sarah Urpani, Ema Micallef, Rafanny Mendoza Abache, Karima Abdulai and Shona Zammit completing the scoring.

Team Selections

Chanelle Borg made a start in goal for Swieqi United. There was a change in defence, with Miriana Conti partnering Tammy Falzon, while Jade Schembri and Emma Xuereb continued to operate as full-backs. Rafanny Mendoza Abache started in the defensive midfield position, while captain Shona Zammit and Sarah Urpani maintained their place in the centre of the pitch. Ema Micallef made a start in the number ten position, while Karima Abdulai and Salamatu Abdulai continued leading the attack.

Christiana Pisani was selected to stand between the goalposts for Lija Athletic. Sarah Caruana captained the side and started in defence alongside Nell Zarb Cousin. Ylenia Azzopardi and Milena Stagno protected the width. Kylie Pantalleresco started in midfield, alongside Vanessa Honorio Carneiro and Hanna Ali. Leanne Micallef and Emma Ruth Lake started on the flanks, while Kayleigh Abela led the attack.

How It Unfolded

Salamatu Abdulai sent Swieqi United into an early lead within the first few seconds. Sarah Urpani doubled it up inside the first five minutes with a long range effort.

Rafanny Mendoza Abache looked comfortable in midfield, using her presence effectively to thwart any attempt from Lija to go forward, while calmly picking out a pass to send the team forward. A headed interception worked well to find Salamatu Abdulai who flicked it forward for Karima Abdulai. However, the effort was central and Christiana Pisani collected.

The Owls controlled possession, with Lija Athletic appearing to launch forward with an ‘anywhere will do’ mentality. Sarah Urpani was next to try her luck with a left footed effort toward the left corner of the net, but Christiana Pisani made the save.

Lija Athletic were inspired into some forward momentum through Leanne Micallef. She sped up the right wing, but the cross-shot was handled by Chanelle Borg.

Swieqi United were unfazed, quickly returning to their momentum, with the team earning a penalty for a handsball in the box shortly after. Rafanny Mendoza Abache stepped up and placed it into the right side of the net to make it three in the 39th minute.

Swieqi United fully capitalised on the disruption at the back for Lija Athletic to find the fourth just a minute later. Ema Micallef was precise with a long-range effort into the right side of the net. Karima Abdulai made it five just before half time with another long-range effort into the left side of the net.

Lija Athletic attempted to work something between them just before half time. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro found Leanne Micallef. She played the combination with Kylie Pantalleresco, but the final ball into the box was calmly collected by Chanelle Borg.

Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 5 – 0 Lija Athletic

Dorianne Theuma made a double switch at half-time, bringing on Nicola Lebakos in a straight swap with Ema Micallef. Shannen Mallia also replaced Tammy Falzon, with Mallia slotting in front of the defence, pushing Rafanny Mendoza Abache in the defensive partnership with Miriana Conti.

Swieqi United picked up where they left off, creating another opportunity from a corner inside the first minute in the half. Salamatu Abdulai timed the header to Shona Zammit’s corner delivery, but just got underneath it to see it flash above the crossbar. Shannen Mallia came closer, hitting the bar six minutes later with a looped effort.

Despite this, Salamatu Abdulai netted the sixth of the afternoon in the 57th minute with a headed effort at the left post after Shona Zammit had struck the initial effort from the right. Swieqi continued piling pressure with successive corners, but Lija Athletic’s defence managed to fend these off.

Dorianne Theuma swapped her full-backs as the hour mark elapsed, bringing on Thea Ida Scicluna and Ilona Abela, instead of Emma Xuereb and Jade Schembri.

The Owls continued to fire, with Sarah Urpani and Salamatu Abdulai both taking a shot. Karima Abdulai came close in the 68th minute, speeding away from the defence, managing to dribble the goalkeeper, but then denied by the post from the effort.

Lija Athletic’s Jethron Azzopardi responded by making a change, bringing on Elena Galea instead of Kayleigh Abela. Galea slotted on the wing, pushing Leanne Micallef into the attacking position. Swieqi United’s Leanne Frendo made an appearance replacing Sarah Urpani a few minutes later.

Lija Athletic attempted to stave off further damage, but were further undone by two late goals. Shona Zammit delivered a sumptuous finish with an inswinging curler to find the far left post from the right side of the pitch in the 85th minute. Salamatu Abdulai wrapped up the eighth for the team, and the hat-trick for herself just before the full-time whistle.

Final Score: Swieqi United 8 – 0 Lija Athletic

Standings & Next Matches

Swieqi United take the three points and fully capitalise on the later draw between Hibernians and Birkirkara to nudge themselves into second place, two below leaders Hibernians, with a game in hand over the latter. Lija Athletic remain on nine points in seventh place.

The Owls will have a short turnaround as they next meet San Gwann in a mid-week clash this Tuesday (17th) at the Centenary Stadium at 20:45. The match will follow the clash between Mgarr United and Birkirkara, starting at 18:30.

The Greens will go into it with some confidence, following a 2 – 1 victory over San Gwann secured later in the evening, while Valletta returned to winning ways against Mtarfa.

Lija Athletic will have some more time to recuperate before their final match for the calendar year. They will meet Mgarr United on Friday 20th at Mgarr Ground at 20:30.

Lead Image: Elise Bajada

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