Swieqi United Book Place in the Final Following Win Against Raiders Lija FC, Hibernians also through

Goals from Salamatu Abdulai and Shona Zammit gave Swieqi United a victory over Raiders Lija FC and a place in the final of the Assikura Women’s Knockout. Hibernians FC will be the other finalists following a comfortable 6-0 victory against San Gwann FC.

Early Goal Settles Swieqi

Raiders Lija’s coach Denis Guerra opted for a back-four to protect Giulia D’Antuono in goal. Georgiana Mifsud returned to the starting line-up, partnered by Sabrin Blihi, while Gaia Antonelli and Michela Bonello Ghio provided the width. Francesca Bartolo was also given a start in central midfield, alongside captain Monique Sultana and Miriana Conti. Ylenia Grech occupied a more advanced role with Lexine Farrugia and Laura Muscat in the forward line.

Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s Judith Kuipers kept much of the starting eleven that triumphed against Birkirkara in the quarter-final. However, Salamatu Abdulai started up front in replacement of Tatiana Hawkins-Dabney, and the number eleven rewarded her coach’s faith as she fired the Owls into the lead after just thirty seconds. It was the first action of the match, as Emma Xuereb launched a ball for Abdulai to chase, who outpaced her marker and placed the ball into the bottom corner to the delight of her team and the fans in the stadium.

Swieqi United were not happy with just the one-goal advantage and kept piling pressure in search of a second. The side almost scored with exactly the same build-up after around a quarter of an hour of play, but Giulia D’Antuono was quick off her line to sweep.

Denied Counter-Attacks

Despite being rattled by the goal initially, Raiders Lija slowly settled into their shape and attempted to launch counter-attacks in answer to Swieqi United’s dominance on the ball. The defensive line had their work cut out for them but was determined to keep the team in the match. Georgiana Mifsud and Sabrin Blihi were both involved in stopping Salamatu Abdulai from getting free on goal on several occasions. The defense was again called into action close to the half-time whistle to block Rebecca Atinga’s cross before D’Antuono parried the rebound from Mariah Sciberras.

One of the best attacking opportunities for Raiders Lija came around the twenty-fifth minute which involved quick passing from Laura Muscat to find Lexine Farrugia, who back-heeled it to Francesca Bartolo. However, the final ball to get Farrugia behind the defensive line was intercepted by Rafanny Abache Mendoza.

Half-Time Score: Raiders Lija FC 0 – 1 Swieqi United

Raiders Lija FC showed more fight and presence after emerging for the second half, but could still not truly threaten Konlan’s goal. Francesca Bartolo played Laura Muscat behind the defence on a couple of occasions, but Konlan was first to the ball both times. In another attack, Bartolo made a darting run in midfield and found Lexine Farrugia on the left wing, but the number seven was crowded out. Swieqi’s Tammy Falzon also made a crucial interception towards the seventieth minute to deny Farrugia from setting Muscat free on goal.

Swieqi Cement Victory

Dorianne Theuma replied with a long-distance strike which Giulia D’Antuono met with an acrobatic save. The goalkeeper was again crucial in denying the Owls in the 76^th minute when Salamatu Abdulai got the better of the defence on pace, but the goalkeeper made a great save with her feet to deny her. The Owls threatened again from a free-kick as Dorianne Theuma delivered a pin-point ball towards Jessica Dimech but her header was off target. Their industry was finally rewarded in the 87th minute when Shona Zammit rose to meet Dorianne Theuma’s cross and directed it into the corner of the net to truly finish off Raiders Lija.

Anna Aloisio, Sarah Caruana, and Eunice Micallef all made appearances from the bench for Raiders Lija, but neither Leah Ayres nor Sarah Vella Barberi were called in to support the attack, despite the team trailing. On the other hand, Kuipers made just two late substitutions, bringing on Maria Vella and Michaela Cachia in the final throes of the match.

Full-Time Score: Raiders Lija FC 0 – 2 Swieqi United

Hibernians Cruise To The Final

Victor Tedesco Stadium hosted the other semi-final between Hibernians FC and San Gwann FC. Keith Gouder’s side proved too much to handle for the Yellows, who they beat by 6-0. Chloe Ellul got the Whites going just four minutes into the match. Alexis Espitia and Nyorah Celeste fired two more goals in quick succession close to the twenty-five-minute mark before captain for the day Kayleigh Chetcuti converted from the spot after half an hour of play. Sarah Urpani’s brace in the second half cemented the victory and their place in the final.

The final between Swieqi United and Hibernians FC will be played on Friday 12^th May.

Photo: Jeffrick Cachia