by Swieqi United completed a 2-1 victory against Birkirkara to lift the Assikura Women’s Super Cup for the first time in their history at the third consecutive time of asking. The side was inspired to victory by goals from Salamatu Abdulai and Shona Zammit, with the two delivering each other’s assists as well. Erica Bispo earned the goal for Birkirkara but the side could not complete the comeback to defend the trophy.
Team Selections
Vince Galea relied on the returning Maya Cachia in goal for Birkirkara, protected by a back four consisting of Valentina Rapa and Charlene Zammit at its centre, while Mariah Cardona and Alishia Cassar occupied the flanks. Yuna Hazekawa protected the defence, while Gabriella Zahra and Luana Vitoria Cabral operated further forward. Amelia Vassallo started in attack with Erica Bispo, while Calista Schechinger operated in between.
Meanwhile, Dorianne Theuma retained faith in Brazilian goalkeeper Patricia Araujo who was protected by the trusted defensive partnership of Tammy Falzon and Rafanny Mendoza Abache. Jade Schembri and Emma Xuereb operated as the full-backs. Michaela Cachia started as the pivot in front of the defence, with captain Shona Zammit and Sarah Urpani operating further forward. Ema Micallef continued to occupy the number ten position, behind the attacking duo of Salamatu Abdulai and Karima Abdulai.
The match was officiated by Ranald Portelli, with Luca Grech and Steve Baldacchino as his assistants, and Maria Dolores Zarb as the fourth official.
How It Unfolded
Birkirkara started with the authority in possession, with an early opportunity to put the ball into the box, but overhitting the delivery. Still, the defending champions were the most aggressive early on. The team was keen on intercepting possession to win the ball high up the pitch.
Birkirkara appeared to be making their mark with diagonal releases in between the Swieqi United centre-backs. However, the final ball teased them, while Patricia Araujo was also concentrated on snuffing out opportunities.
Rain poured as the tenth minute elapsed, with the opening goal eluding Birkirkara, even from set-pieces. On the other hand, Swieqi United appeared focused on keeping their shape and trusting the pace out front on counter-attacks.
The Owls’ tactical ploy paid off in the 13th minute, as Shona Zammit was fed the ball from the defence, with the skipper releasing Salamatu Abdulai on the chase. The Ghanaian drove forward into the six-yard box. Abdulai struck low into the near post to break the deadlock.
Having been exactly in the same position last season, Birkirkara looked toward their leaders to turn the scoreline around. Alishia Cassar was doing her best to drive forward, while Charlene Zammit communicated from the back. Gabriella Zahra looked to test Patricia Araujo from distance but unable to find the target.
The half unfolded in the same way it started, with Birkirkara enjoying the majority of possession and driving forward. The best opportunity for the Stripes arrived on the half-hour mark, with Amelia Vassallo feeding a cross from the right wing. Gabriella Zahra arrived late into the box, but skied the half-volley from the tight angle.
Swieqi United soaked up pressure and ultimately delivered the second goal as a blow as the 45th minute arrived, displaying the football that the side has often been expected to deliver but struggled to deliver consistently over time. The defence played out from the back, beating Birkirkara’s high press, with Patricia Araujo giving those in the stands a heart-attack with her calm but precise pass to find Michaela Cachia in space. The midfielder fed Ema Micallef who released Jade Schembri. The full back launched to Salamatu Abdulai who delivered the cut-back to the arriving Shona Zammit. The number fourteen delivered the right-footed finish into the bottom left corner to send the team two up.
The Owls attempted to capitalise further in injury time from set pieces, but Birkirkara saw away the threat.
Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 0 – 2 Swieqi United
Birkirkara came out with intent on getting back into it. Alishia Cassar drove forward before letting fly a shot with her left boot, which Patricia Araujo clutched in air. Yuna Hazekawa was next to try her luck with a low drive but the Brazilian was up to the task once more, before Gabriella Zahra’s attempt to release Calista Schechinger behind was snuffed out by the goalkeeper.
Although not dominant, Swieqi United looked to use the wind advantage to continue causing trouble by releasing Salamatu Abdulai against the defence. However, Charlene Zammit shut the door with a crucial interception to deny the Ghanaian from finding Emma Xuereb who had made the run into the box.
Birkirkara’s Vince Galea looked to change things in the 55th minute, bringing on Martina Fenech at right-back, replacing Amelia Vassallo, while Alishia Cassar was released further forward. However, the change was short-lived with the Fenech leaving the pitch in the 63rd minute after taking a knock. Lara May Azzopardi took to the pitch in her stead.
The team in blue got rewarded for their efforts in the 65th minute, with Luana Vitoria Cabral releasing compatriot Erica Bispo between the defenders. The Brazilian lifted a left-footed effort over Patricia Araujo who came to meet her, with Araujo getting something on it, but not enough to deny Birkirkara the goal. The Birkirkara support found their voice urging the side to complete the comeback.
Crucial moments ensued, with both coaches on their feet and in full voice as Birkirkara looked to mount further pressure, while Swieqi United struggled to regain composure with the lead slashed in half. Birkirkara looked to compound things as Gabriella Zahra launched a ball into the box, finding Luana Vitoria Cabral, but she could not direct the header goalward.
However, the Owls managed to grow back into just enough control, applying pressure high up the pitch to manage the game, knowing that Birkirkara were also battling the wind.
As the match wore into the final ten minutes, Rafanny Mendoza Abache continued to be a leading figure in defence, dispossessing Yuna Hazekawa who was trying to open up the space for the shot, before the Venezuelan defender glided forward with the ball and released Salamatu Abdulai. Mendoza Abache continued her run into the box, but Abdulai opted to cut the pass to Karima Abdulai who forced a save from Maya Cachia.
Birkirkara saw out the threat, with Vince Galea making a final double switch bringing on Stella Francalanza and Maia Gauci instead of Luana Vitoria Cabral and Calista Schechinger. The battle between Alishia Cassar and Jade Schembri continued to bubble on the wing, with the Birkirkara skipper kept at bay by the full-back or finding Tammy Falzon ready to shut the door.
A final opportunity was earned by Birkirkara in injury time, with Yuna Hazekawa putting in a delivery into the box from a free-kick, which Gabriella Zahra kept alive. However, Shona Zammit cleared the second ball to safety. However, it was not Birkirkara’s afternoon, with Charlene Zammit seeing a direct red for a high foot against Ema Micallef in injury time. The youngster was taken off, replaced by Shannen Mallia for the final kicks of the match, before the full time whistle sounded confirming the first Super Cup win for Swieqi United.
Final Score: Birkirkara 1 – 2 Swieqi United
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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[…] It was the third consecutive Super Cup final between the two clubs, but Swieqi United finally got it over the line with a 2-1 victory to down Birkirkara. […]