by Swieqi United retained the Super Cup title by beating Mgarr United by 3 – 0. Salamatu Abdulai got the side going, before Sara Saliba delivered a brace, scoring in each half. Both teams were denied by the woodwork multiple times, with the game unravelling to send the Greens down to nine players on the pitch.
Team Selections
There were no changes for Swieqi United, with Patricia Araujo starting in goal behind the quartet of Sarah Urpani, Valentina Rapa, Tammy Falzon and Emma Xuereb. Michaela Cachia protected the defence, with captain Shona Zammit and Andjela Kricak continuing their growing partnership in midfield. Sara Saliba continued to lead the attack, supported by Salamatu Abdulai and Aleksandra Yaneva.
Meanwhile, Giulia D’Antuono returned to the starting eleven for Mgarr United, behind the four-piece defence of Rebecca Bajada, Leanne Cefai, captain Abigail Camilleri and Yanina Mendez. Maia Debono and Amber Grech continued their stay in midfield. Yulya Carella returned to the side on the right wing, while Valeria Villegas Caly continued to operate on the left. Alejandra Villegas Caly operated in the space behind Luz Hernandez who made her first start of the season.
How It Unfolded
The two sides took to the pitch in the anticipation of a new battle on the Super Cup stage, with Mgarr United making their appearance in brand new kits. The whistle gave way to an open contest between two sides seeking to outdo each other toward adding to their trophy hauls and a fresh memory of Mgarr’s opening 2 – 0 victory against Swieqi three weeks ago.
Salamatu Abdulai was the first to test Giulia D’Antuono, released behind by Andjela Kricak. However, the goalkeeper was equal to it from the tight angle. The Greens responded through Valeria Villegas Caly who fizzed a low finish from close range wide following a free-kick for Mgarr United, leaving both faithfuls with hands on mouth for very different reasons.
Both goalkeepers involved, neither side could make the most of early corner kick opportunities, before Giulia D’Antuono was called into action once more from open play. Swieqi broke with pace as Aleksandra Yaneva combined with Salamatu Abdulai, who squared the diagonal to Sara Saliba who seemingly kept her run just in check. However, the young forward was denied by the surging Giulia D’Antuono who kept herself big.
Despite this, the 21st minute had the Swieqi faithful on their feet. Salamatu Abdulai chased a diagonal overhead ball delivered by Aleksandra Yaneva, winning the foot race against Leanne Cefai. The Ghanaian opened her body to slot home the finish through Giulia D’Antuono’s legs for the opener.
Both sides of support were in full voice urging their sides on. Sara Saliba was next with deliberate pressing from the front. She won the ball making the run for acres toward goal. However, the youngster was denied a deserved goal by the crossbar.
Tensions continued to rise, with Luca Grech getting involved to keep Yanina Mendez and Sara Saliba in check, with Valeria Villegas next to leave her mark on the youngster. The two coaches were energetic on the touchline in search of orchestrating their sides to their objectives, while the ever apparently calm Patricia Araujo looked to be enjoying tormenting the Greens, deliberating whether to pick up the ball until the final minute.
Mgarr United still had plenty of time and Yulya Carella drove forward with venom in the 32nd minute. Once getting into range, the number eleven fired toward the far post, but was the next to be denied by the crossbar. Tammy Falzon was next to make a major block for Swieqi to retain their lead, denying Luz Hernandez from inside the box.
The forward line came up with the goods once more at the other end just two minutes later, courtesy of Sara Saliba. The youngster dribbled her way into the box, before trying to close centrally for the shot. Abigail Camilleri’s tug earned the defender a booking and a spot kick for the Owls. Having earned the kick, Sara Saliba was given a lengthy wait, but it made no difference for the youngster who slotted home the finish into the bottom right side of the net to send the side two up.
Yulya Carella was again the key forward driver for a response from the Greens with another forward drive and long range effort. This time Patricia Araujo palmed it over the bar.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 2 – 0 Mgarr United
The second half kicked off in a raucous manner, with Luca Grech laying down the law with cards as the second stint kicked off. Yulya Carella was given an initial yellow but the officials changed it to a straight red card offence* within seconds in the 48th minute making Mgarr United’s mountain even steeper. The game unravelled with further bookings piling up within the opening ten minutes of the second half, as the officials attempted to control proceedings as emotions ran high on both sides.
Despite this Maia Debono was still industrious, winning the ball high up the pitch before linking with Luz Hernandez. However, the finish was high from the tight angle.
Swieqi United took the opportunity from the Greens being down to ten on the hour mark. Aleksandra Yaneva’s work ethic continued to shine, with the forward winning the ball down the left hand side. The Bulgarian switched it to Sara Saliba who opened the space for the shot with the first touch. Giulia D’Antuono got something on the shot but not enough to deny Swieqi the third.
Swieqi’s Dorianne Theuma freshened up the side shortly after, bringing on Ema Micallef instead of Aleksandra Yaneva. Mgarr’s Ryan Vella responded by bringing on Kayah Abela Sciberras instead of Rebecca Bajada. Swieqi’s Tammy Falzon was forced out by injury in the 80th minute, with Miriana Conti slotting in defence.
The Owls were still keen on their clean sheet, with Valentina Rapa making a crucial sliding tackle in the box on Alejandra Villegas Caly to deny her. The post continued to frustrate the Greens further, denying Amber Grech from distance in the 85th minute.
Luca Grech had plenty on his hands, with Alejandra Villegas Caly also given a second booking in the 86th minute following another reckless challenge. The official sped to the Mgarr bench dishing out a third red card of the evening for Shakira Grace Camilleri.
Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma made two final changes, with Jade Schembri and Ylenia Azzopardi making late appearances instead of Sarah Urpani and Michaela Cachia.
Both sides had opportunities late on, but neither could find the back of the net to change the defined scoreline as Swieqi honed in on defending their title with their support in full voice at the final whistle.
*Edit: Initially identified as two successive bookings.
Lead Image: Timeless Snaps by Francesca
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Is it known why N’Guessan was left out of the squad? I thought her physical presence on the pitch was sorely missed.