by Swieqi United bounced back with a dominant score against San Gwann, winning by 8 – 1. Sara Saliba got the side going and netted a brace. Aleksandra Yaneva opened her account in the league with a goal, while Andjela Kricak also scored against her former club. Shona Zammit netted a direct free-kick, while Salamatu Abdulai finished the scoring to take home the match-ball with three goals. Hailey Russell delivered a top-drawer finish to deny Swieqi United the clean sheet.
Team Selections
Patricia Araujo continued her stay in goal for Swieqi United. Sarah Urpani started in the right side of the defence, with Emma Xuereb continuing her stay on the left. Tammy Falzon and Valentina Rapa continued their partnership in defence. Michaela Cachia started in midfield together with captain Shona Zammit and Andjela Kricak. Sara Saliba led the attack, flanked by Salamatu Abdulai and Aleksandra Yaneva.
Justyne Caruana continued her stay in goal for San Gwann. Kirstie Vella made her first appearance of the season on the right side of the defence, while Naomi Blundell started on the left, with Mariama Kasim partnered by Lisa Vella in defence. Sabrin Blihi started in midfield in the company of Rhea Borg and captain Annabelle Rapa. Morena Fanega operated further forward, supporting Hailey Russell and Kirsty Paris in attack.
How It Unfolded
Swieqi United started off with intent to control the match and showed their power to get their noses in front within the eighth minute. Emma Xuereb delivered the cross into the box, which Sara Saliba controlled. Allowed to turn, the forward buried it into the right side of the net to give the defending champions the perfect start.
The Owls piled more chances, with Shona Zammit next to deliver a dangerous corner into the six-yard box. However, this time none could get enough of a touch to finish it off.
However, Aleksandra Yaneva delivered her first goal in the Assikura Women’s League in the 12th minute to give the side a two-goal cushion. Bringing under control a pass to her run behind, the Bulgarian dribbled the goalkeeper before placing a low effort into the net.
Despite this, San Gwann responded a minute later. Morena Fanega drove on the touchline, before picking out Hailey Russell’s supporting run. The forward let fly once getting into range, delivering the trademark top-drawer finish she earned the reputation for last season to slash the deficit.
The open contest continued, with Swieqi United’s charge for more apparent as San Gwann made clear their intentions to push their opportunities. However, the Owls opened the gap again in the 18th minute displaying another team goal. Sarah Urpani opened up to Shona Zammit who was in acres of space and arrived to drive forward from midfield. Emma Xuereb made the supporting run on the flank, delivering the cross back. Zammit flicked it in the box, before Salamatu Abdulai fired a dinked finish into the right side of the goal to make it three.
The Owls continued controlling the majority of possession and searching for more with the two-goal cushion not quite enough with San Gwann’s counter-attacking threat already displayed.
The side earned more opportunities with Aleksandra Yaneva and Sara Saliba both earning opportunities but unable to find the target.
Despite this, Andjela Kricak came up with the goods against her former club. The Serbian dribbled her way into the box, before placing a low right-footed effort to find the back of the net for the fourth just over the half-hour mark.
Shona Zammit caused further trouble with a cross in the 43rd minute. Justyne Caruana palmed it but straight into the path of Salamatu Abdulai who tapped home the finish from close range. San Gwann went into the dressing room fuming at the decision for the goal to stand, arguing the offside rule with referee Jean Pierre Mifsud and assistant referee Milos Solakovic.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 5 – 1 San Gwann
Julian Camilleri made two changes at the break, bringing on Fatma Al Girbi instead of Sabrin Blihi, while Kirsty Paris gave way to Naila Adomah Addo in attack.
Swieqi United set about their business in search of extending their lead, but San Gwann had two major opportunities early on. Mariama Kasim’s header from a corner was well-read by Patricia Araujo, before the side had a three against one opportunity on transition in the 52nd minute. Naomi Blundell and Annabelle Rapa flicked forward the ball to Morena Fanega who played the combination with Hailey Russell. However, the pass to release Naila Adomah Addo was thwarted by a latent heel from Tammy Falzon, Swieqi’s last player.
Once again, San Gwann were punished for the lack of precision. Sara Saliba won the ball back just outside the box, opening for the shot and nestling it into left side of the net, with the post helping it in for the sixth just after the hour mark.
Swieqi United’s Shona Zammit, last year’s player of the year, netted her first goal of the campaign with a central direct free-kick in the 65th minute. Justyne Caruana got hands on it but could not keep out the shot.
Both coaches continued to rotate with Thais Muscat, Nilayza Attard and Raisa Magro taking to the pitch for San Gwann. Ema Micallef, Miriana Conti, Thea Ida Scicluna, Maria Vella and Shannen Mallia were introduced for Swieqi United throughout the half.
The Owls managed their final goal of the night at the 72nd minute, converting on successive corners. Despite Lisa Vella clearing out the first delivery, Swieqi United repeated the approach to good effect, with Sara Saliba firing from close range, and Salamatu Abdulai helping it goalward to complete the hat-trick.
The open contest ensued with San Gwann still attempting to get something going forward, despite the score, but unable to worry Patricia Araujo with their shots. At the other end, Raisa Magro was forced into a save by a header from Salamatu Abdulai, ensuring the score remained the same.
Final Score: Swieqi United 8 – 1 San Gwann
Next Matches
Swieqi United, the defending champions, clinch their first three points with a strong display, bouncing back from the opening defeat. San Gwann will take heart from improved attacking combinations but will ask questions of the defence.
The Assikura Women’s League will be on hiatus for the upcoming week, with the Super Cup final between Swieqi United and Mgarr United expected to be announced to fill it. Both teams will return to league commitments on the 12th September, with Swieqi United facing Birkirkara at the Centenary Stadium at 20:30, while San Gwann meet Mgarr United at the Charles Abela Stadium at the same time.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Francesca Vella
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[…] against the Greens on opening matchday, by 2 – 0. However, the side bounced back with an 8 – 1 victory against San Gwann to set up the path to this […]