Swieqi United Complete Double Over San Gwann

A strong second half gave Swieqi United a comfortable 7-0 victory over San Gwann. Karima Abdulai grabbed a hat-trick, while Salamatu Abdulai, Mariah Sciberras, Dorianne Theuma and Michaela Cachia completed the scoring. San Gwann’s woes were doubled by what appear to be significant injuries to Nicole Camenzuli and Chaimaa Tourki.

Team Selections

Swieqi United’s Patricia Araujo retained her place in goal. There were a few changes in the defence. Jessica Dimech was retreated into a centre-back role, partnering Tammy Falzon. Jade Schembri continued in the right-back role, while Thea Ida Scicluna was handed a start on the left. Michaela Cachia joined the midfield in the company of Shona Zammit and captain Dorianne Theuma. There were no changes out front, with Mariah Sciberras and Karima Abdulai continuing to provide the width to Salamatu Abdulai.

Meanwhile, Justyne Caruana protected San Gwann’s goal. Captain Annabelle Rapa was flanked by Kirstie Vella and Sarah Cioffi, in defence. Rabab Mhalli and Nicole Camenzuli started as the wing-backs, while Chaimaa Tourki, Martina Schembri and Fatma Al Girbi occupied the midfield. Francesca Zarb returned to the starting eleven following serving her suspension, supporting Shania Gheiti in attack.

Swieqi United Break The Deadlock

The Owls found the back of the net with their first attack, two minutes into the match. Salamatu Abdulai forced Justyne Caruana to get something on a cross which Chaimaa Tourki cleared from a corner. Mariah Sciberras floated the delivery towards Salamatu Abdulai, whose header was saved by Justyne Caruana, but Karima Abdulai got the rebound into the net.

Swieqi United appeared to be onto another just four minutes later, with Dorianne Theuma opening wide to Mariah Sciberras. Her cross was deflected into the path of Shona Zammit who made the run into the box. Although she did well to control the volley with her weaker right-foot, the effort was central and Justyne Caruana reacted well to hold the shot.

Things took a dark turn seven minutes into the match, as Nicole Camenzuli suffered a major injury in a collision, which forced her to be stretchered off the pitch. Michela Formosa took to the pitch in her stead.

Swieqi United kept getting into good areas into the final third but were lacking the sharp edge to add to their tally. On the other hand, San Gwann’s defence were doing their best to remain compact and block their attempts to get into the box.

The Yellows were often ready to spring a counter-attack and had two major opportunities. Twenty minutes into the match, Rabab Mhalli won the ball well high up the pitch and crossed into Shania Gheiti. However, the number nine took some time to settle for the shot, allowing Swieqi United’s defence to crowd her out. Once she got the shot away, Patricia Araujo was well positioned to make the save.

The number nine continued to link well with Francesca Zarb and as always was willing to chase every ball. She caused some chaos in the Swieqi United back-line half an hour into the match but, Jessica Dimech and Patricia Araujo combined just in time to clear the danger. Another similar situation developed late in the half, but the Owls managed to maintain their clean sheet.

At the other end, Swieqi United were being urged by coach Saviour Darmanin to make better use of their possession in search of extending their lead. A significant amount of shots and chances went by. Forty minutes in, Tammy Falzon came closest to adding to the tally after connecting with a corner delivery from Mariah Sciberras, but the young defender got underneath it.

Despite this, Karima Abdulai finally got the second goal for the team two minutes later. The Ghanaian headed home a delivery from Shona Zammit, who did well to get past her marker to open up the space for the cross from the left wing.

The Owls almost celebrated a third on the stroke of half-time but were denied by the offside flag.

Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 2 – 0 San Gwann

Swieqi United Open The Floodgates

Saviour Darmanin made one change at the break, bringing on Kennedy Metzger instead of Thea Ida Scicluna at left-back. The change marked the first appearance for the American since suffering an injury against Mgarr United almost exactly a month ago.

It was the Yellows who earned their first chance in the box, with Shania Gheiti finding Francesca Zarb. However, the striker dawdled, allowing Jade Schembri to recover and get a block on the attempt.

San Gwann were let off the hook when a loose clearance found Dorianne Theuma waiting on the edge of the area, but she skied the shot. Despite this, Salamatu Abdulai capitalised on resulting goal-kick to find the third goal of the night. She was first to the kicked ball, before surging forward and creating the space to place home into the bottom right corner.

The Yellows kept trying to fend off the Owls, with Francesca Zarb also managing to find Rabab Mhalli out wide in attempt to create something going forward. However, Patricia Araujo was kept untroubled.

Karima Abdulai headed home the fourth in the 58th minute after connecting with a free-kick delivery from Jessica Dimech out on the right wing. San Gwann will have been disappointed not to have won the initial ball, instead allowing it to bounce toward the Ghanain, who headed unchallenged.

Mariah Sciberras linked with Shona Zammit on the hour mark, but her attempt to wrap a right-foot around the shot made for easy pickings for Justyne Caruana. Despite this, she found the net with her next effort just a minute later. The number seven connected with a cross from Karima Abdulai, who glided forward following a through ball from compatriot Salamatu Abdulai.

Things went from bad to worse for San Gwann, who had to take off Chaimaa Tourki following injury in the 63rd minute. She was replaced by Chanice Grixti.

Dorianne Theuma piled further misery with the sixth goal in the 65th minute. The captain received a good lay-off from Mariah Sciberras just inside the box, before lacing a left boot to curl the ball into the near left post.

Michaela Cachia delivered the final blow of the night in the 69th minute, with a well placed shot into the top left corner. She connected with a low cut-back from Salamatu Abdulai.

Saviour Darmanin opted to freshen things up following the goal. Kaysia Micallef came onto the pitch in a swap with Mariah Sciberras. Kim Fava replaced Salamatu Abdulai, slotting on the right wing while Karima Abdulai moved into the central striker role.

Kaysia Micallef almost got on the scoresheet immediately after Karima Abdulai crossed a ball toward the youngster. However, she got underneath the ball, with San Gwann’s defence getting something to deflect for a corner. Justyne Caruana did well with the targeted delivery.

Kennedy Metzger was next to cajole an attack with a forward run, before finding Kim Fava out wide who won another corner. Dorianne Theuma played it short toward Jade Schembri, whose delivery was snuffed out by Justyne Caruana. The Yellows’ goalkeeper launched quickly, with Annabelle Rapa leading the charge, but she was marshalled away by Shona Zammit who tracked back.

Julian Camilleri freshened up the defence bringing on Tracy Axiak and Nicole Saliba instead of Sarah Cioffi and Martina Schembri for the final ten minutes of the match. Saviour Darmanin also made more late changes with Leanne Frendo replacing Jessica Dimech and Maria Vella coming on for Karima Abdulai. Frendo slotted in the left-back role, pushing Kennedy Metzger as the centre-back. Meanwhile, Kim Fava took the central striker role, while Maria Vella occupied the width.

Both sides had opportunities to make something out of set-pieces, with tackles flying in and bookings racking up with them. Despite this, neither were able to cause too much trouble.

Full-Time Score: Swieqi United 7 – 0 San Gwann

Standings & International Break

The victory enables Swieqi United to keep up the race at the top of the table, taking their tally to 23 points. Meanwhile, San Gwann remain in sixth place. The two sides will watch today’s encounter unfold as their nearest rivals Hibernians and Lija Athletic, respectively, face-off at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30).

The Owls will return against the Paolites on the 8th of December at 14:00 at the Centenary Stadium. San Gwann will welcome the defending champions Birkirkara following that match at 16:30.

However, the teams will first split for the international break which will see the return of the final matches of the UEFA Women’s Nations League. Malta’s selection will be in action against Moldova on the 1st of December, before playing the final match at the Centenary Stadium, Ta Qali against Latvia on the 5th December (16:00). Tickets for that match may be purchased online.

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