by Swieqi United made sure of their three points over Valletta, winning the match by 5-1. Karima Abdulai and Salamatu Abdulai scored a brace each, before Shona Zammit wrapped things up late in the match. Marcelle De Oliveira Julio grabbed the consolation goal for Valletta. The match was marred by two major injuries to Valletta’s goalkeeper Andressa De Souza Ramos and Swieqi United’s Mandy Debono, with the latter having to be stretchered out by her teammates.
How The Teams Shaped Up
Valletta’s Denis Guerra started with Andressa De Souza Ramos in goal. She was protected by a back three of Sabrin Blihi, Eduarda Martins Souza and Georgiana Mifsud. Gaia Antonelli and Michela Bonello Ghio occupied the flanks. Francesca Bartolo, Laura Muscat and Ylenia Grech orchestrated in midfield, while Anna Aloisio continued to captain the team and support Marcelle De Oliveira Julio in attack.
Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s Saviour Darmanin welcomed Paty back in goal. Rafanny Mendoza Abache was partnered by Mandy Debono in the centre of the defence. Emma Xuereb was retreated to a right-back role, while Jade Schembri was preferred in the advanced wing position on the right. Meanwhile, Jessica Dimech continued to shoulder the left-back duties, while Kaysia Micallef earned a start on the left wing. Despite hints of a return in the pre-match comments, Saviour Darmanin was still without captain Dorianne Theuma. Shona Zammit continued to lead the side in midfield in her stead, this time partnered with Michaela Cachia. Salamatu Abdulai occupied the number ten role, while Karima Abdulai was the furthest forward.
Scrappy Opening Marred By Injury
Valletta appeared to try to settle into a rhythm of forcing Swieqi United to open up the defence, which took the form of a back-five most of the time in attempt to deny the Owls space. Swieqi United won a corner in the opening five minutes but Anna Aloisio cleared to safety. The offside trap was also working well for Valletta as the Owls attempted to get their pacey forwards behind the line.
The game started to open up ten minutes in. Ylenia Grech made a good dart up the centre of the pitch, but standing on the edge of the penalty box was reluctant to pull the trigger, instead making a wayward pass. At the other end, Karima Abdulai got behind the defensive line for the first time, but Andressa De Souza Ramos was quickly off her line to block the attempt.
Unfortunately, the goalkeeper’s night ended shortly after as she hobbled out from the pitch, forcing Denis Guerra to make his first change of the night. Sabrin Blihi shifted to the goalkeeping role, while Michela Bonello Ghio moved into the centre-back position. Miriana Conti came off the bench to take the left wing-back role vacated by Bonello Ghio.
Despite the set-back Valletta worked themselves up the pitch through a good combination between Ylenia Grech and Marcelle De Julio Oliveira but the final ball was thwarted by the Owls.
At the other end, long-balls were intercepted by the ever willing sweeper-keeper Sabrin Blihi. Despite this, Jade Schembri managed to connect with a cross but Blihi did enough to save the header before collecting the ball. Kaysia Micallef was lively on the wing and skipped past two markers close to the half-hour mark but dragged her shot wide. Karima Abdulai attempted a long-distance strike shortly after, but Blihi got a hand on it to deny the forward.
Valletta managed to relieve some pressure by winning a corner, which they delivered deep into the box but could not capitalise. Swieqi United responded by converting one of their own five minutes later, as Karima Abdulai headed into the net from Shona Zammit’s delivery. The forward appeared to be converting her second a few minutes later after winning a strength battle against Georgiana Mifsud, but the attempt to lob the goalkeeper was wide.
Meanwhile, Valletta were on the trot in search of an equaliser. Marcelle De Oliveira Julio won a number of free-kicks, some of which were vehemently protested by Swieqi United. A delivery from the right wing found Laura Muscat but the header lacked the accuracy. Later on Eduarda Martins Souza struck from a dead-ball on the edge of the box, but Paty moved well to collect. The team also had two late corner opportunities but Rafanny Mendoza Abache and Paty stepped up to deny them.
Meanwhile, Jade Schembri managed to get Karima Abdulai behind on the wing, who dribbled past the rushing Blihi, but her cross was blocked for a corner. The Owls’ failed to convert, going into the break with just the one goal lead.
Half-Time Score: Valletta 0 – 1 Swieqi United
Swieqi United Extend Lead
Both coaches opted for changes at the break. Mariah Sciberras took to the field in a straight swap with Emma Xuereb for Swieqi United. Meanwhile, Denis Guerra switched to a 4-3-3, sacrificing Gaia Antonelli and bringing on Suzanne Farrugia Sacco, who took the attacking right wing role.
Swieqi United were gifted the second goal two minutes into the half as the goalkeeper let slip the ball which Salamatu Abdulai pounced on to put into the gaping net. At this point Saviour Darmanin opted to swap his wingers.
Both sides managed to work the goalkeepers, but it was Marcelle De Oliveira Julio who came closest in the fiftieth minute after an aerial ball that was not properly read led her behind the Swieqi back-line. However, Paty was well positioned to save the low strike.
Unfortunately, Mandy Debono went into a meaty challenge which ended her match in ten minutes into the half. The veteran had to be stretchered out from the pitch by her teammates. Tammy Falzon took to the pitch in her stead.
The game started to unravel for the referees shortly after that. A dubious call to give Valletta a free-kick on the edge of the box could have led to major trouble as Eduarda Martins Souza struck sweetly toward the bottom right corner, which forced Paty into a full diving save to parry it for a corner. The goalkeeper commanded the box to collect the delivery too.
Valletta had another good chance in the 65th minute as Ylenia Grech made another good dart up the left wing and crossed from the byline to find Farrugia Sacco. However, the youngster’s attempt to side-foot volley it first time into the left corner skimmed wide of the mark.
At the other end, Jade Schembri attempted to extend Swieqi United’s lead with a strike from outside the box but she got underneath it. She was substituted shortly after, with Gabrielle Tonna coming on in her stead. Tonna took the right-back role, pushing Mariah Sciberras into her preferred attacking wing position.
Karima Abdulai made it three for Swieqi United on the 67th minute, after winning the ball back in the Valletta box and then passed it into the right side of the goal. It was initially good play by Kaysia Micallef who made another successful run on the left wing and crossed toward Jessica Dimech who had made her way to the edge of the penalty area. Although Valletta recovered the ball initially, Abdulai had other ideas.
Captain Monique Sultana took to the field shortly after, replacing Laura Muscat. Valletta had a denied penalty shout in the 72nd minute after they deemed Marcelle De Oliveira Julio to have been fouled by Salamatu Abdulai, but the referee dismissed the call.
Saviour Darmanin brought on Ema Micallef in replacement of Michaela Cachia, while also swapping Mariah Sciberras and Kaysia Micallef once more. Sciberras was instrumental in securing the fourth goal on the 79th minute mark as she won the ball back high up the pitch and immediately released it to Salamatu Abdulai who completed her brace.
Valletta Respond Before Swieqi Wrap Up
Having fallen four goals down, Guerra’s side maintained their resolve to get themselves on the scoresheet. Monique Sultana delivered a ball toward Anna Aloisio whose presence forced Swieqi United to clear for a corner which led to the goal. Marcelle De Oliveira Julio towered above the defence a placed the header into the bottom right corner.
The 84th minute saw Suzanne Farrugia Sacco creating a good opportunity on the right wing after dribbling past Jessica Dimech, however Valletta failed to attack a good delivery into the box.
Swieqi United’s Shona Zammit responded a minute later to convert a cross from Jessica Dimech to the bottom right corner, extending the lead for her team once more. Megan La Rosa made an appearance in replacement of Marcelle De Oliveira Julio shortly after. The final throes saw the Owls’ Tammy Falzon looping a header from a Mariah Sciberras corner, but Blihi was ready to collect.
Full-Time Score: Valletta 1 – 5 Swieqi United
Next Matches
Valletta will face another tricky test next Thursday against Birkirkara, with kick-off set at 20:15 at the Centenary Stadium. The Stripes will go into the match still unbeaten after their win over Hibernians earlier on Friday. Meanwhile, Swieqi United will be facing Mgarr United, on Saturday 21st October at 17:30 at Mgarr Ground.
However, before then there are still two more games to be played out today at Dingli Ground. San Gwann and Mtarfa will meet for the first time (15:00), followed by the encounter between Mgarr United and Lija Athletic (17:30).
Lead Image: Jonathan Sajeba
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