by Swieqi United emerged with a 2 – 1 victory, dealing Hibernians their first defeat this year. The Paolites went into the lead very early on, converting the rebound on a saved penalty through Natalee Geren. However, Swieqi United returned fire to earn the victory courtesy of goals by Sara Saliba and Salamatu Abdulai. Andjela Kricak also hit the post late on.
Team Selections
Swieqi United were unchanged from the side that beat Birkirkara with Patricia Araujo continued to be protected by Sarah Urpani, Valentina Rapa, Miriana Conti and Emma Xuereb. Michaela Cachia continued to operate in midfield with Andjela Kricak and captain Shona Zammit. Sara Saliba, Aleksandra Yaneva and Salamatu Abdulai continued to front the attack.
Maya Cachia continued her stay in goal for Hibernians, behind another unchanged defence in Yolande Attard, Georgiana Mifsud, Jessica Dimech and Calista Schechinger. Captain Nicole Sciberras and Natalee Geren continued to operate in midfield. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco returned in the number ten position, with Sarah Vella Barberi continuing on the right, while Kayleigh Chetcuti operated on the left. Nyorah Celeste was favoured to lead the attack.
How It Unfolded
It was a quick start from Hibernians with Sarah Vella Barberi taking on Emma Xuereb one on one and earning the team a penalty within the fourth minute of play, clipped by a trailing leg.
Natalee Geren’s initial penalty was once more met by a strong block from Patricia Araujo, but she couldn’t get the direction to push it away from goal. The American was first to the loose ball to fire home the tap in and get Hibernians into the lead.
Hibernians were keen on capitalising on the fast start, controlling the midfield and the faster of the two sides to close down the ball. Martina Borg’s decision to field Nyorah Celeste was paying dividends with the pacey youngster leading the press. However, Miriana Conti was putting in the shift in defence alongside Valentina Rapa to do enough to keep Hibernians from adding to the tally.
In midfield, Andjela Kricak looked the most likely to conjure something going forward for the Owls, but the forward line struggled to get involved with much success. Hibernians’ back-line was making their presence felt to good effect. Salamatu Abdulai managed a rare cross into the box as the quarter hour mark approached, but no bodies in the box made it an easy gather for the Paolites to regain hold of possession.
The Owls managed a real opportunity on the 17th minute, with the key battle between Sarah Vella Barberi and Emma Xuereb continuing to unfold. This time it was the veteran earning the free-kick. Shona Zammit whipped in the ball with Valentina Rapa getting a head on it, but Maya Cachia was well positioned to make her first real save from close range on the second ball.
Despite having rare opportunities, Swieqi United earned the draw in the 20th minute. Salamatu Abdulai kept alive an initial cross from Aleksandra Yaneva. The Ghanaian cut inside for a curled right footed effort forcing a palm from Maya Cachia. However, Sara Saliba was ready to pounce for the rebound, and though the first was blocked, the youngster made sure to find the net with the second.
Hibernians were still having some success on the press but not making the most to expose the Swieqi back-line. It looked like they got their moment in the 34th minute with Nyorah Celeste pressing a mistake in the back line to earn a free-shot on goal. However, Patricia Araujo got a hand on the finish, before Valentina Rapa scooped it from the line to keep the Owls level.
The mistake appeared to jolt a sharp shift in momentum with Swieqi United going ahead just a minute later. Michaela Cachia made the run forward, delivering the cut-back from the byline which Salamatu Abdulai wrapped a foot around to finish a low drive into the net, sending Swieqi United into the lead.
The Owls almost extended the lead two minutes later as Aleksandra Yaneva pressed a defensive mistake to get a run on goal. However, the defence recovered to put enough pressure to throw off the shot.
The Bulgarian was in on the action again a few moments later, whipping the ball into the box. However, Salamatu Abdulai was unable to get the touch to convert. Swieqi next sought to make the pressure pay from a free-kick. Andjela Kricak tested Maya Cachia at the near post, but fizzed it into the side-netting, although the goalkeeper looked like she would have had it covered anyway.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 2 – 1 Hibernians
The Paolites needed a response and Martina Borg looked to her bench to inject a spark of youthful ambition into the match. Olivia Nazarko, Alanah Ghio and Amber Galea were all thrusted to the pitch, with Suzanne Farrugia Sacco, Nyorah Celeste and Yolande Attard making way.
The changes triggered a reshuffle in positions, with Natalee Geren going into the defensive partnership as Alanah Ghio occupied midfield, while Amber Galea and Georgiana Mifsud operated on the wings. Calista Schechinger was pushed in attack, while Olivia Nazarko orchestrated behind Sarah Vella Barberi.
Vella Barberi was lively in the box from the off, latching to a delivery from the wings but fizzed the finish wide of the far post.
The match continued with both defences called into action as Georgiana Mifsud blocked an effort from Aleksandra Yaneva, with both teams also unable to make headway from set-pieces.
Patricia Araujo was forced to make a touch against another delivery into the box, before having to face off against Sarah Vella Barberi who was closing in on goal moments later. The side continued to attempt to build effectively, with Olivia Nazarko soaking up pressure to find Nicole Sciberras who unlocked the run of Calista Schechinger into space. However, Miriana Conti was next to make the interception.
The tussle continued with the two teams grafting for the points, having a hard-working midfield but the final third not quite working effectively against the defences who were determined on their task.
Rapjan Xhyra continued to keep a close eye on things with the official making another crucial call in favour of Swieqi United following a tangle between Miriana Conti and Sarah Vella Barberi. The official was in full control as tensions continued to rise with the clock ticking away.
The touchlines continued to be a spectacle on their own, with Martina Borg and Dorianne Theuma’s voices echoing in the background as the two coaches dished out instructions to their troops in attempt to overrule the tired legs.
Ema Micallef made an appearance instead of Aleksandra Yaneva in the final throes of the match as Swieqi United closed in on the three points.
The Paolites sought to apply final pressure with consecutive set-pieces as Natalee Geren delivered a deep free-kick from midfield which was met by a strong defensive header from Valentina Rapa. Patricia Araujo snuffed out the corner delivery to relieve the pressure.
At the other end, Andjela Kricak was still fully on the march with the Serbian latching onto a loose pass from the Paolites’ defence and driving forward into the box. However, her left-footed effort rattled the post.
The Owls earned one final opportunity to keep the ball high up the pitch as the clocked ticked deep into injury time, with the final whistle arriving shortly after to confirm their victory and a first defeat for Hibernians this season.
Final Score: Swieqi United 2 – 1 Hibernians
Standings & Next Matches
Swieqi United level terms with Hibernians on nine points. The two will await the result between Mgarr United and Birkirkara this evening to see whether the Greens will detach at the top of the table, or if Birkirkara will earn the win to close the gap to the top three.
Swieqi United will face Valletta for the final match of the first round, which will be played on the 27th September at 20:30 at the Charles Abela Stadium. Hibernians will seek to bounce back against Mgarr United this Thursday (25th) at the Centenary Stadium at 20:30.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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1 Response
[…] Swieqi United’s victory against Hibernians yesterday evening creates an opportunity for Mgarr United to create a first gap at the top ahead of the final match of the round. However, they will face a Birkirkara side who on their part will want to at the very least avoid defeat in search of avoiding a nine point gap to the top. […]