by Swieqi United secured a 4 – 1 victory against Birkirkara to widen the gap between the two. The Stripes secured an early lead through Momo Ueda. However, Swieqi’s Shona Zammit responded with a long-range effort, with Michaela Cachia giving the Owls the lead four minutes later. A brace from Salamatu Abdulai confirmed the victory in the second half.
Team Selections
Patricia Araujo started in goal for Swieqi United, behind a back-four consisting of Sarah Urpani, Valentina Rapa, Tammy Falzon and Thea Ida Scicluna. Michaela Cachia anchored the midfield, with Andjela Kricak pulling the strings alongside captain Shona Zammit further forward. Sara Saliba led the attack with Aleksandra Yaneva and Salamatu Abdulai on her flanks.
Julia Zarb continued her stay between the posts for Birkirkara. Captain Stephania Farrugia partnered Haruhi Sekura in defence, with Lara May Azzopardi and Eunice Micallef on the flanks. Ylenia Grech and Gabriella Zahra started in midfield with Momo Ueda. Patricia Lamanna led the attack, flanked by Maya Pellegrini and Mariah Cardona.
How It Unfolded
The match kicked off in an open manner with both sides seeking the win. Swieqi had the first major opportunity three minutes into it, with the attacking trio linking up to good effect. Sara Saliba found Salamatu Abdulai wide, before the Ghanaian attempted to find Aleksandra Yaneva’s run in the box. However, Julia Zarb intercepted the cross.
Birkirkara responded to maximum effect, breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute. Mariah Cardona launched the cross from the wing, finding Momo Ueda at the far post. She fired into the crossbar and in at the near post, kicking off a strong start for the Stripes.
However, the Stripes retreated as Swieqi United piled pressure for an immediate response. Aleksandra Yaneva caught a long-ball over the top first-time, but the lob did not have enough height to beat Julia Zarb.
The Owls were onto something again four minutes later. Shona Zammit won it in midfield, before finding Sara Saliba who played a perfectly weighted ball to find Salamatu Abdulai’s run behind. However, Julia Zarb made the block once more.
Referee Danilo Francalanza was keen on his whistle with the free-kicks piling up, and Swieqi United made pressure pay to equalise in the 28th minute. The Owls initial free-kick from deep on the right wing was dealt with by Birkirkara’s Patricia Lamanna. However, Shona Zammit blocked the counter on the wing, before the Swieqi United skipper darted inward to curl a left-footed effort from outside the box into the back of the net to get her team back on level terms.
With momentum in hand, the defending champions earned the lead four minutes later. Sarah Urpani found Michaela Cachia out wide, with the midfielder dribbling her way between two players into the box and finishing into the near post.
The side sought for more with Julia Zarb quickly off her line to sweep as Andjela Kricak launched for Aleksandra Yaneva to chase behind.
Birkirkara responded with a major opportunity of their own through a free-kick launched from midfield. However, Maya Pellegrini got underneath the finish from inside the six-yard box.
Subbing in as a fourth official, Birkirkara’s Izabella Camilleri informed the crowd of one-minute added time awarded by Danilo Francalanza, who shortly sent the players into the break.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 2 – 1 Birkirkara
Birkirkara’s Billy Mock made one change at the break, with Stella Francalanza replacing Patricia Lamanna in a direct swap.
Swieqi United kicked off with the upper hand, fashioning some good opportunities to extend their lead. However, Alexandra Yaneva’s finish from Sarah Urpani’s cross was covered well by Julia Zarb. The duo combined once more on the wing shortly after, with Lara May Azzopardi delivering the block.
The side continued to pepper the goal, with Aleksandra Yaneva attempting the spectacular with a bicycle kick that landed just behind the far right post, before Sara Saliba struck a venomous left-footed effort from distance that fizzed past the left.
The Stripes responded through Mariah Cardona who was blocked from playing the cross to find Stella Francalanza by Valentina Rapa. Tammy Falzon headed away a deep delivery toward Ylenia Grech, before Valentina Rapa was also alert to clear a free-kick delivery from Momo Ueda.
Having soaked some pressure, the Owls dealt the next blow to earn the comfort of a two-goal cushion in the 63rd minute. Tammy Falzon launched from the back, with Andjela Kricak heading it on for Salamatu Abdulai to chase behind. The Ghanaian placed it into the far left corner on the slide in the box.
Having brought on Maia Gauci in replacement of Maya Pellegrini, a double swap ensued from Birkirkara’s Billy Mock. Izabella Camilleri came on in defence, with Eunice Micallef making way, triggering a reshuffle at the back for Birkirkara. Amy Busuttil replaced Ylenia Grech in midfield.
However, Birkirkara sunk into further trouble with a back-pass that Julia Zarb attempted to control under pressure from Salamatu Abdulai. Danilo Francalanza pointed to the spot as the Ghanaian toppled over in the action. Abdulai took charge of the penalty, slotting it into the bottom right corner of the net to wrap the victory for the Owls.
Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma shored up the defence, with Jade Schembri replacing Thea Ida Scicluna, triggering a reshuffle in the Swieqi back-line. Andjela Kricak and Aleksandra Yaneva also made way for Ylenia Azzopardi and Kim Fava for the final minutes of the match. Billy Mock made one allowable change, bringing on Mariah Micallef instead of Mariah Cardona on the wing.
Birkirkara could not reduce the deficit, with Stephania Farrugia making a crucial interception to deny Swieqi United a late chance as Michaela Cachia attempted to release Sara Saliba in on goal.
Final Score: Swieqi United 4 – 1 Birkirkara
Standings & Next Matches
The Owls maintain pace with Hibernians, with the latter also securing the win against Valletta later in the day. Birkirkara find themselves nine points adrift the two in fourth place.
The Jubilee Cup semi-finals will be on centre-stage next week. Birkirkara face Hibernians at the Centenary Stadium on Friday (20:00). Swieqi United will meet Mgarr United at the same stadium on Saturday at 17:30.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Michael Azzopardi
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2 Responses
[…] Hibernians maintain pace with Swieqi United, with the latter having won their match against Birkirkara earlier in the afternoon. […]
[…] United’s Dorianne Theuma was elated by the response shown by her side to ultimately secure a 4-1 win against Birkirkara, after having conceded an early goal, “This was not the first time we conceded an early goal […]