by Swieqi United lifted the Assikura Women’s Youth Knockout by scoring three goals in the final twenty minutes to defeat Valletta. The Owls secured the win thanks to a brace by Salamatu Abdulai, split by a goal from Kaysia Micallef. Coaches Dorianne Theuma and Jean Lopes reflected on the match, with reference to the growth over a season and the support of those in the stands.
Grasping Opportunities
Swieqi United’s U19 completed the double this season after emerging with a 3-0 victory over Valletta. Although the match ended in a one-sided scoreline, things did not truly kick-off until the seventieth minute, when Salamatu Abdulai broke the deadlock. However, the result was quickly sealed as Kaysia Micallef doubled the lead just seconds later, before Salamatu Abdulai wrapped things up late on.
Having been the leading figure on the touchline since the turn of the calendar year, Valletta’s Jean Lopes weighed in on the match which ended in defeat for his team, “We knew that this would be a tough game. Swieqi had a great season. At the end of the day I think we managed to have a good game but they have players who make the difference. My team is very young so we are promoting players from the U16s and maybe when you try to push development so quickly, it is tough.”
Jean Lopes was on the right-hand side of Denis Guerra in the past, and took more of a lead coaching role in the latter part of the season. Despite the defeat in the final, Lopes has steered the team to a string of successful results both in the Assikura Women’s League in the final phase, as well as in the Assikura Women’s Youth (U19) League.
Asked to provide a holistic view of the campaign, he said, “We were in a transition at the beginning of the season changing from Raiders into Valletta, so there was some turbulence there. However, I’ve known many of the girls for a long time so it was easier for me to understand them over the season and we managed to make a family.”
On the other hand, Swieqi United’s coach, Dorianne Theuma, summed up a positive campaign for the U19 squad, “Definitely it is a good way to complete the season, winning the two available trophies and in an unbeaten manner. However, at this age the important thing is to see the team grasp the opportunity with both hands. Coaching at this level is not just about the result, but the focus is on seeing them develop.”
The team played seventy minutes before finding the opening goal. However, converted twice in quick succession to steer home the title. Swieqi United’s coach nodded to the nature of the make-or-break situation in such matches, “This is what a final brings, some stress of knowing that you need to perform and that you have something to lose. I think we took some time to get to terms with it, even though I think we had the majority of possession. However, we were not making the most of it. Then once the first goal was scored, the team relaxed and started to play with more confidence, which led to the final result and the victory.”
The match was watched by a numerous crowd on both ends, with the ongoings of the match riling up a few as tensions bubbled. Asked about guiding the players to handle that element of the occasion, Dorianne Theuma said, “As the match became more tense, the atmosphere in the stands grew louder especially from Valletta’s side. At a young age it is easy to lose concentration, so in fact at half-time I explained that they need to focus on themselves and their own performance on the pitch. I think the team managed to do this well, even though we suffered some counter-attacks, we ultimately prevailed to get the win.”
Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s coach also nodded to the faithful support for her team from the Swieqi United stands, “The parents have been very supportive for this team throughout the season and we are grateful for this. They have always been there for us, always showing their support while respecting opponents and creating a positive atmosphere for the team.”
Valletta’s Jean Lopes also nodded to the Valletta faithful in the stands, “That’s the best part about being a part of Valletta’s family. You can always feel their presence, they push the team until the end. So, from the committee’s side I just want to thank them for coming to support us and I hope that next season they keep us ticking to make our team even stronger.”
How It Unfolded
Swieqi United and Valletta kicked things off under the morning sun at the Centenary Stadium. Swieqi United’s Chanelle Borg was protected by the back four consisting of captain Tammy Falzon, Aisha Micallef, Thea Ida Scicluna and Leanne Frendo. Michaela Cachia and Shannen Mallia occupied the midfield together with Salamatu Abdulai. Yasmin Sajeba started in attack, flanked by Kaysia Micallef and Maria Vella.
Meanwhile, Valletta’s Kayleigh Vella Barberi was protected by the trio of captain Sabrin Blihi, Georgiana Mifsud and Hannah Fenech. Megan La Rosa and Eunice Micallef acted as wing-backs. Francesca Bartolo started in midfield, in the company of Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and Sarah Vella Barberi. Catrina Magri led the attack in partnership with Alicia Mifsud.
The first twenty minutes of the match expired with little to cheer for those in the stands. The Owls’ Salamatu Abdulai was caught offside as the side attempted to get her released behind, while the team could not trouble from a corner. A swap in the wings was effected in effort to destabilise the Valletta defence.
On their part, City responded by forcing an error at the back twenty-five minutes into it, through Francesca Bartolo. The midfielder crossed into Suzanne Farrugia Sacco, who controlled and struck a left boot. However, Swieqi United’s defence stood strong to block the shot. Sabrin Blihi was next to thread a ground pass to release Catrina Magri. However, the attempt from the tight angle was wide of the mark.
It was not just the grass that was getting hotter under the sun, as the pressure of the match started to show in the stands. The crowd got in on the action, while tackles went up a notch on the pitch as well. However, the sides went into the break locked level.
Swieqi United flinched first with two swaps at the break, bringing on Amy Portelli instead of Aisha Micallef at the back, while Yasmin Sajeba gave way to Ema Micallef. The latter slotted in midfield, while Salamatu Abdulai was pushed up into attack.
The Owls’ Michaela Cachia looked set to have teed up Shannen Mallia with a dinked cross from the byline. However, Mallia’s header was grasped by Kayleigh Vella Barberi. Jean Lopes responded with his first change, bringing on Somaya Muscat in midfield, with Catrina Magri making way and Francesca Bartolo pushing up into attack.
Valletta managed to earn a free-kick with Sabrin Blihi not intimidated by the distance and almost landing right on the money, but just over the bar. With the crowd firmly behind them, City pushed forward with another chance on the counter as Sarah Vella Barberi played a combination with Francesca Bartolo. However, Alicia Mifsud’s final effort rose over the bar.
Having had their warning shots, Swieqi United rose to the occasion in the 71st minute. Michaela Cachia threaded a perfectly weighted through ball for Salamatu Abdulai who placed home into the bottom corner of the net. Another combination followed suit just under a minute later to double the lead. This time Ema Micallef delivered an aerial ball for Kaysia Micallef who latched onto it, before dribbling past the goalkeeper and placing low into the gaping net.
Swieqi United freshened things up with Ilona Abela and Kay Axiak coming onto the pitch in direct swaps with Leanne Frendo and Maria Vella. Carla Giles and Kate Muscat made a final appearance in the late stages for Valletta, replacing Sarah Vella Barberi and Alicia Mifsud.
The Owls wrapped things up in the 84th minute as Kay Axiak placed a pass with her outside foot to find Salamatu Abdulai. The Ghanaian sealed things with another low effort into the near post.
Final Score: Swieqi United 3 – 0 Valletta
The match concludes the domestic season in women’s football in Malta across all the competitive structures.
While clubs will be closing off this season and hatching plans for the upcoming season, all eyes will turn firmly on the women’s national team as Malta prepare to host Bosnia & Herzegovina in Group B3 of the UEFA Women’s European Qualifications. They will meet on the 31st of May at the Centenary Stadium at 19:30.
Lead Image: Joe Borg
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[…] Swieqi United will be led by Mandy Debono who is among the more familiar with the league due to her involvement as head coach in the past, as well as having been the assistant coach last year as the team clinched the double. […]