Swieqi United Leave It Late, But Seal The Victory To End B’Kara’s Run

A compact defensive display paired with an injury-time header from Karima Abdulai gave Swieqi United a 1-0 victory over Birkirkara. The scorer was assisted by Dorianne Theuma. The result ends Birkirkara’s unbeaten run at an impressive 92 matches and tightens the pack in the top four. The match featured positive support from both ends and regrettably also a few condemnable remarks targeted at individual players.

Team News

Saviour Darmanin did not tamper with the team that triumphed against Lija Athletic on Saturday. Goalkeeper Patricia Araujo continued to be protected by the back four of Jade Schembri, Tammy Falzon, Rafanny Abache Mendoza and Emma Xuereb. Shona Zammit and Jessica Dimech continued their presence in midfield, with captain Dorianne Theuma, who was often the most advanced from the trio. In attack, Mariah Sciberras and Karima Abdulai continued to provide the width to Salamatu Abdulai.

Meanwhile, Jose Borg made just one change to the line-up that emerged victorious against Mgarr United on Saturday, with Gabriella Zahra coming in for Francesca Chircop. There was no change in defence with Janice Xuereb being fronted by Valentina Rapa, captain Stephania Farrugia, Charlene Zammit and Ann-Marie Said. Gabriella Zahra joined Veronique Mifsud in midfield, with Caitlin Rogers often the most retreated of the trio. Marta Grosso and Alishia Sultana retained their place on the wings, while Edith Garcia Falero started in the centre of attack.

Sizing Each Other Up

It was bound to be a tense affair and the match started as expected. Despite the negative expectation of a meagre turnout, there were also more than a few tense supporters in the stands who made their voices heard.

The two sides shared the possession, with both sides attempting to build from the back. However, the two were unable to make much inroads into the final third, with both defences doing well to intercept the balls heading into the danger area.

Swieqi United managed to stretch Birkirkara into the tenth minute of the match with Dorianne Theuma pinging a diagonal ball to pick out Salamatu Abdulai’s run. However, Charlene Zammit was alert to the danger, intercepting the pass with a header. Mariah Sciberras also showed incredible flair to lob her marker on the turn and run off on the wing. However, as she attempted to release Abdulai the play was pulled back for offside. Shona Zammit also wriggled past two midfielders and struck from distance, but Janice Xuereb was untroubled.

The Stripes responded by pressing up the pitch. Valentina Rapa managed a cross toward Marta Grosso but there was too much height on it for the Italian to put her forehead on the ball.

Despite this, it was the Owls who were growing in confidence, pinning the Stripes further back into their own half. Things heated up as Karima Abdulai charged into Valentina Rapa, earning a booking for her troubles and a hurled personal attack from the stands.

The defending champions responded through Gabriella Zahra who won the ball up the pitch and teased it forward for Marta Grosso to chase. However, Patricia Araujo was quickly off her line to meet it.

Birkirkara had opportunities to threaten from corner kicks and a few chances to put the ball into the box from free-kicks but could not cause the Owls too much trouble. Meanwhile, Swieqi United were primed for the counter-attacks with Mariah Sciberras, Dorianne Theuma and Salamatu Abdulai all staying away from their box.

A major chance developed for Swieqi United as Karima Abdulai won the ball up the pitch. However, her touch allowed Janice Xuereb to get something on the ball which ricocheted into Mariah Sciberras. Her shot was blocked, while Jessica Dimech’s follow-up flew just above the crossbar.

Birkirkara responded with a chance three minutes later as Edith Garcia Falero fired a cross toward Veronique Mifsud who headed it toward the corner of the goal. However, Patricia Araujo shifted well to get behind it.

A rare sight developed as the Stripes became increasingly penned back into their own half toward the end of the half, with Jose Borg barking orders for his team to get out. Despite this, Swieqi United could not find the opening and the two sides went into the break locked level.

Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 0 – 0 Birkirkara

Few Chances, But Swieqi Only Needed Two

The cagey affair continued with limited opportunities at either end. It is telling that the first shot registered in the half was a long-range effort fired in the 62nd minute by Dorianne Theuma. Janice Xuereb was likely grateful to have something to do and did well to get behind it.

Birkirkara had the opportunity to test Swieqi United from a corner, which they often used to target the goalkeeper’s area. However, they saw their efforts undone after yet another foul on the goalkeeper, who this time needed some treatment.

Jose Borg attempted to inspire some action by bringing on Raina Giusti in replacement of Veronique Mifsud in the 65th minute. Giusti slotted in the left wing role, while Marta Grosso moved into the centre of the pitch. Saviour Darmanin responded with a swap in the wings between Mariah Sciberras and Karima Abdulai who returned to their original positions. The latter sped past her full-back but her run was blocked by Stephania Farrugia.

Birkirkara’s captain sent her side into a counter-attack. However, Edith Garcia’s attempt to cross into Raina Giusti was blocked by Tammy Falzon for a corner. The Stripes took it short with Grosso registering a shot from outside the box but was well wide of the mark. At the other end, Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma attempted to get Salamatu Abdulai behind but play was pulled back for offside.

The match took a sombre turn as Charlene Zammit had to be substituted off in the 75th minute, following a collision with Mariah Sciberras which ended Zammit’s match. Arianna Del Moral came on and slotted in the right wing role. Valentina Rapa shifted into the centre-back position, while Alishia Sultana filled in as the right-back.

The Stripes appeared to go into another gear and started piling forward for the final twenty minutes. Patricia Araujo snuffed out a cross from Marta Grosso, before she got behind a long-distance effort from Raina Giusti.

Shortly into the final ten minutes Gabriella Zahra attempted a diagonal for Arianna Del Moral to run onto but Rafanny Abache Mendoza was there yet again to clear for a corner. The Stripes saw this too ebb away following another foul on the goalkeeper, who this time needed some more medical treatment and also received negative treatment from the stands.

Ann-Marie Said tested the goalkeeper with another one shortly after, which the goalkeeper was equal to once more. It was followed by Marta Grosso looping another shot from distance, which dipped, but just on the wrong side of the far post. As time trickled away, the two supporter groups raised their voices willing their teams on.

With momentum firmly on their side and Swieqi United appearing to be keen on holding on to a point, Birkirkara’s Jose Borg looked to play one final ace. Francesca Chircop took to the pitch in the striker’s role which pushed Edith Garcia into midfield as Gabriella Zahra walked off the pitch in the 88th minute.

However, momentum is a cruel mistress. Having been on the defensive foot for much of the half, Swieqi United developed their first major chance in injury time. Shona Zammit played it forward into Salamatu Abdulai who took it into her stride and crossed toward her compatriot Karima Abdulai. However, the ball just fizzed across the forward who was just late enough arriving into the six-yard box to miss the chance for a strike.

Although the chance ebbed away, it invigorated the Swieqi United support who found another volume level. The crescendo was yet to be reached. The side won a free-kick on the wing, right on the edge of the box. Dorianne Theuma delivered toward the towering Karima Abdulai, who this time buried the header from inside six-yards to send Swieqi United into the lead and their contingent into ecstasy.

With just a few borrowed seconds to go, Stripes responded with attempts to get up the pitch but Swieqi United’s defence stood strong. Salamatu Abdulai and Karima Abdulai ran riot on the counter, with the former coming close with a shot that flew just above the goal. However, the Owls did not mind with the clock running toward victory and the full-time whistle confirming it shortly after.

Full-Time Score: Swieqi United 1 – 0 Birkirkara

A Feat To Be Admired

It will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Stripes whose unbeaten streak comes to an end at 92 games. For all those involved, past and present, there should be nothing but pride at the work done to achieve it. Knowing that such streaks are eventually going to be broken, it is no doubt an important part of the club’s history and a record that sets a new target for others to aim for.

As for the defending champions, they will continue marching toward their objective of lifting the record-equalling twelfth title.

Another Reminder That Personal Attacks Are Not OK

As noted above and in the previous match between Mgarr United and Birkirkara, there is an excitement that is bubbling in the women’s league. Despite the mid-week match and a negative expectation of the turnout, more supporters filtered into the stands making for a more complete footballing atmosphere.

However, for the second match running, one urges those few individuals hurling personal attacks from the stands that targeting player’s origins is unacceptable in football, everywhere in the world. This on top of the personal attacks aimed at match officials.

At the same time, it is important to applaud the generally positive sporting atmosphere created by the majority of those in the stands who set the example and bring the enthusiasm for the game to continue growing.

Next Matches

Getting back to the football on the pitch, having had a perfect opening five games, Birkirkara find themselves losing the first points, which sends the league into another twist and even tighter standings. The Stripes now sit in third, with fifteen points and a game in hand over both Hibernians and Swieqi United, who are joint-top with sixteen points. Mgarr United sit in fourth with fourteen points.

Birkirkara will have their eyes set on the next encounter and getting back into winning form. They next face Lija Athletic on Saturday 11th November at 15:30 at the Dingli Ground.

Meanwhile, Swieqi United will be reinvigorated with a win that sets their title challenge back on track after initial blips in the direct confrontations against Hibernians and Mgarr United. They will continue their march against Mtarfa next Saturday 11th November with another 13:00 kick-off at Dingli Ground. Swieqi United and Birkirkara will meet again immediately following these next fixtures.

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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