by Swieqi United opened a five point gap at the top following a 1 – 0 victory against Mgarr United. Karima Abdulai converted from close range. The Greens pushed for the equaliser but the Owls kept their lead intact with a solid defensive display and a crucial penalty save from Patricia Araujo. The result leans the title chase towards a dramatic potential close in an upcoming direct confrontation as the top two, Swieqi United & Birkirkara, face each other on Saturday.
Team Selections
Giulia D’Antuono returned in goal for Mgarr United, behind an unchanged defensive line consisting of Rebecca Bajada, Leanne Cefai, captain Abigail Camilleri and Yanina Mendez. Ann-Marie Said and Amber Grech continued to operate in midfield, while Alejandra Villegas Caly and Luz Hernandez charged up the wings. Yulya Carella supported Valeria Villegas Caly in attack.
Patricia Araujo maintained her stay in goal for Swieqi United. There were also no changes in defence with Emma Xuereb, Rafanny Mendoza Abache, Tammy Falzon and Jade Schembri continuing to hold the line. Michaela Cachia stayed at the base of the diamond, with captain Shona Zammit and Sarah Urpani continuing to operate further forward. Ema Micallef returned to the starting eleven in the number ten position, while Karima Abdulai and Salamatu Abdulai led the attack.
How It Unfolded
The match kicked off with the bearing of the three points laying thick on either side. Mgarr United had the earlier sights on goal but Luz Hernandez was reluctant to pull the trigger opting to search for Alejandra Villegas Caly who was closed down. The Greens’ had a free-kick opportunity to curl into the box but Jade Schembri defended well at the near post.
Swieqi United responded by working Giulia D’Antuono moments later. Ema Micallef fired with pace from close range, but the effort was central and found the goalkeeper ready to react. The side also worked a corner toward Rafanny Mendoza Abache, but this time Yanina Mendez put the block.
In the meantime both sides were getting frustrated by the offside flag as they attempted to get the run on the defences.
However, Swieqi United nudged themselves in front in the 20th minute. Salamatu Abdulai darted for the byline, before cutting a low cross to Karima Abdulai. Giulia D’Antuono reacted to the first attempt but could not clutch, with the Ghanaian reacting first to fire in the rebound and nudge the team in front.
The two coaches were immediately in full voice. Dorianne Theuma was urging the team not to let the foot of the gas, while Ryan Vella was encouraging his side to respond.
Mgarr United earned opportunities to respond from set-pieces, but a short-corner routine was nipped in the bud by Sarah Urpani, before Yanina Mendez’s attempt to curl a free-kick into the net fizzed over the bar.
Having their lead in place, Swieqi United shifted focus to maintaining a compact shape and trying to hit on the counter-attack. Salamatu Abdulai managed to beat the defence on one occasion, but the lob over the goalkeeper was wide of the mark.
However, Mgarr United pushed on, dominating the ball and pushing to find a way through. Luz Hernandez looked set on goal in the 35th minute, but Tammy Falzon was fully committed to slide in with a risky, but perfectly-timed tackle in the box, to send the ball out for a corner. Patricia Araujo commanded the air against the delivery to relieve pressure.
The Greens started to let fly sooner, but could not hit the target. Yulya Carella managed to fire from inside te box with a volley that skid over the top of the bar. Valeria Villegas Caly had the beating of the defence moments later, but pulled the effort wide.
However, the Greens’ earned one of the best opportunities in the 41st minute as Luz Hernandez was clipped by Emma Xuereb in the box. Referee Ranald Portelli was decisive to point to the spot. Valeria Villegas Caly stepped up, but Patricia Araujo continued to make the name for herself with strong save to keep the lead intact for Swieqi United.
The second half kicked off with Mgarr United on the hunt for the equaliser. Free-kick opportunities piled with the match becoming increasingly interrupted. However, the Swieqi United defence stood strong with Rafanny Mendoza Abache and Patricia Araujo rising to meet them early on.
The Greens managed to get their heads to a corner delivery from Amber Grech, but Valeria Villegas Caly’s header skewed wide. Leanne Cefai attempted to make the most of the loose ball at far side, but was off target with the finish.
The side changed approach with some good combinations in midfield and better movement up front as Ann-Marie Said combined with Alejandra Villegas Caly who attempted to release Luz Hernandez. However, Rafanny Mendoza Abache was well positioned to intercept once more.
However, the Venezuelan could not push Valeria Villegas Caly off the ball moments later, with the Colombian picking out Yulya Carella. However, the volley landed over the bar. Still, the Greens’ front three were finding more spaces behind the defence, with some nerves starting to creep more into the orange shirts.
At the other end, Mgarr United’s Abigail Camilleri and Leanne Cefai were mostly managing to hold off the Owls from threatening. Ranald Portelli was getting increasing stick at the stop-start match with the whistle sounding frequently as he continued to push for control over the proceedings.
Jade Schembri pushed on in a one on one battle against Yanina Mendez, to take the ball forward before picking out Salamatu Abdulai’s diagonal run. However, the Ghanaian was denied with a spectacular diving save from Giulia D’Antuono. Mgarr United saw out the threat from the corner.
The battle of the goalkeepers continued as Patricia Araujo was equal against Valeria Villegas Caly who was picked out following another combination in midfield between Yulya Carella and Ann-Marie Said. Ryan Vella pushed numbers up the field in search for the equaliser. Ann-Marie Said was well found in the box on a final occasion but was off-target with the volley.
The Owls responded with a major opportunity of their own to close off the match. Salamatu Abdulai cut apart the defence on pace, but faltered against Giulia D’Antuono with the match being decided by the single margin of goal.
Final Score: Mgarr United 0 – 1 Swieqi United
Standings & Next Matches
Swieqi United open a five point lead at the top (45 points) with two matches to go. They are followed by Birkirkara who on their part took their tally to 40 points after the 1 – 0 win against Hibernians earlier in the afternoon. Hibernians and Mgarr United remain tied in third and fourth place on 39 points.
Curtains could drop on the league battle next week as Swieqi United take on the defending champions Birkirkara in a direct confrontation at Dingli Ground at 14:00 on Saturday (22nd). A single point would be enough for the Owls to claim the maiden title.
Hibernians & Mgarr United will be ready to pick their opportunity at 16:30 on the same day and push things until the end should the contest not yield to the conclusion of the title race.
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