Swieqi Stun Mgarr With First Half Goal Rush

Swieqi United dominated the first half to secure a 5-1 victory over Mgarr United. Rafanny Abache Mendoza opened the scoring, while Salamatu Abdulai grabbed a hat-trick in the first half. Michaela Cachia split the goals with a long-range effort. Joelma Alves Gabriel scored the consolation goal for the Greens. Patricia Araujo made a series of fine stops to deny Mgarr United further goals late on.

Team Selections

Mgarr United started with Patricia Ebejer fronted by four-player defence of Abigail Camilleri, captain Maia Debono, Anastasia Sivolobova and Rebecca Bajada. They were protected by Chantelle Grech and Luana Cabral. Brenda Borg occupied the number ten role, while Joelma Alves Gabriel and Yulya Carella provided the width. Fernanda Peinado was the central attacker.

Swieqi United continued to trust Patricia Araujo in goal. Saviour Darmanin named an unchanged defence with Jade Schembri and Jessica Dimech providing the width to Tammy Falzon and Rafanny Abache Mendoza. Michaela Cachia started alongside Shona Zammit, while captain Dorianne Theuma orchestrated further forward. Kaysia Micallef and Karima Abdulai provided the width to Salamatu Abdulai.

Swieqi Find Early Opener

There were plenty of ways that the two may have imagined the match going for them. Swieqi United certainly couldn’t hoped for a better start after finding the net within the third minute, while for the Greens it was certainly the opposite. Adorned in a new sky blue kit, the match was one to forget for Mgarr United.

The deadlock was broken following consecutive corners for Swieqi united, with Jessica Dimech keeping the ball alive to find Karima Abdulai. She helped it on to Salamatu Abdulai whose shot was saved by Patricia Ebejer. However, Rafanny Abache Mendoza was well positioned at the far post to fire into the roof of the net for the first goal of the night.

The Greens struggled to recover, with Swieqi United controlling the majority of possession and Luana Cabral landing in the referee’s book within the 8th minute. Although Mgarr United appeared to try to get their playmakers on the attack, Swieqi United were eager to close out their orchestrators, denying them any chance to get comfortable in possession.

In fact, the second goal came thanks to a quick transition after the Owls hunted down the ball in midfield, immediately finding Dorianne Theuma who released Salamatu Abdulai behind the defence. Free on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat, the Ghanaian placed a low shot to double the lead in the 13th minute.

Swieqi Extend Margin

Despite going two goals down, there was still some belief in the Greens who grew into their first real spell of possession a quarter of an hour into the match. Luana Cabral delivered a long-distance shot wide of the mark, following which Mgarr United managed to win their first corner. However, the Owls defended the first ball well, before Yulya Carella’s follow shot found Luana Cabral. She recycled the ball wide for a second cross but Swieqi were still untroubled.

On the contrary, the Owls went into another gear in attack. Karima Abdulai and Dorianne Theuma both surged forward in support of Salamatu Abdulai whose initial cross was intercepted by Mgarr. However, the Greens were unable to clear the ball effectively, leading to Kaysia Micallef playing in Michaela Cachia. Stationed at the edge of the penalty box, the latter found the third with a low strike into the bottom right corner in the 22nd minute.

The two coaches engaged in a chess game of swapping their wingers, with Mgarr United trying to find a way to get them involved in attack, while Swieqi United attempted to search for more.

The Greens appeared to be on the verge of catching Swieqi United on the counter 37 minutes into it. However, Fernanda Peinado attempted to catch Patricia Araujo from distance, which the goalkeeper was happy to collect and the opportunity ebbed away for the Greens. Still, the shot cajoled Mgarr United further forward. Brenda Borg and Yulya Carella both had opportunities to test the goalkeeper but neither could find the target.

In contrast, Swieqi United were primed to hurt on the counter-attack and delivered another blow in the 42nd minute. The team continued to exploit the spaces, with Dorianne Theuma allowed to pick out Karima Abdulai on the wing, who glided forward before crossing into compatriot Salamatu Abdulai for the finish.

Appearing worse for wear, mistakes continued to creep in for the Greens, squandering cheap possession which led to the fifth just before half-time. Salamatu Abdulai completed her hat-trick with another low finish into the left corner of the goal.

Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 0 – 5 Swieqi United

Mgarr Find Consolation Goal

Swieqi United were still keen on more on the restart, with Kaysia Micallef and Salamatu Abdulai both charging on the left wing, but met by Patricia Ebejer who cleared with distance. Meanwhile, Michael Mangion’s side came out with a stronger presence on the ball and appeared to be stringing a few more passes together.

A long ball from the back led to Joelma Alves Gabriel combining with Fernanda Peinado before she attempted to release Brenda Borg on the run. Although she was pulled back for offside, it showed attacking promise.

Saviour Darmanin was the first to make changes, with a triple substituion in the 55th minute. Rafanny Abache Mendoza gave way to Thea Idea Scicluna, who slotted at left-back, pushing Jessica Dimech as the centre-back with Tammy Falzon. Wide forwards Karima Abdulai and Kaysia Micallef were also given an early rest and replaced by Maria Vella and Mariah Sciberras respectively.

The Greens attempted to capitalise on the changes, with Luana Cabral and Joelma Alves Gabriel playing a quick combination before Alves Gabriel released Brenda Borg. However, she was immediately closed down by Patricia Araujo who ended up worse for wear and needing some treatment.

The Greens kept piling forward and managed to deny Swieqi United’s defence their clean sheet with a goal in the 69th minute. Yulya Carella wriggled away from her marker on the turn before delivering a cross into Joelma Alves Gabriel. The Brazilian rose to place the header into the bottom corner of the net and immediately proceeded to rush with the ball back to the half-way line.

Mgarr Unable To Convert Chances

Saviour Darmanin responded with another swap, this time in the centre of midfield, bringing on Ema Micallef instead of Michaela Cachia. Leanne Frendo also replaced Jade Schembri shortly after.

Meanwhile, Michael Mangion introduced Rodiana Borg and Leanne Cefai, in replacement of Abigail Camilleri and Yulya Carella. The side switched to a back-three, with Rodiana Borg and Rebecca Bajada acting as wing-backs, while Brenda Borg pushed further up alongside Fernanda Peinado.

Swieqi United’s Jessica Dimech attempted a direct ball to get Salamatu Abdulai free on goal once more but Anastasia Sivolobova read the play before sending her team forward. The Owls looked to be creating another significant opportunity after Ema Micallef won the ball in midfield and immediately spread it wide to Maria Vella. However, her attempt to find Salamatu Abdulai was read by Maia Debono who intercepted well. There were more half-chances for the Owls, with the Greens’ playing risky games at the back but somehow avoiding to concede more.

At the other end, the Greens kept piling momentum and building major chances, but unable to capitalise. Joelma Alves Gabriel had multiple one on one chances against the goalkeeper but Patricia Araujo came out on top time after time. The Greens’ Anastasia Sivolobova also attempted to head home from a corner but was off-target with the finish.

As the match drew to a close, Mgarr United appeared to be creating chances at will but Swieqi United’s goalkeeper made another crucial interception late on to deny Brenda Borg an opportunity to find a teammate with a low cross. Joelma Alves Gabriel had one final chance to reduce the deficit in injury time but the goalkeeper made another excellent save to deny her.

Final Score: Mgarr United 1 – 5 Swieqi United

Standings & Next Matches

The victory takes Swieqi United’s tally to 30 points, maintaining a gap of 4 points to league leaders Birkirkara. Mgarr United stay on 26 points and could drop to fourth depending on the outcome between Hibernians and San Gwann later today.

Swieqi United will play their final match of this round against Lija Athletic on Thursday 11th January at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30). The Greens will dust themselves off and get ready for another test against Birkirkara on Friday 12th January, also at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30).

Lead Image: Michael Azzopardi (Swieqi United FC)

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