Swieqi United Pick Up Three Points Against Mtarfa

The Owls opened their campaign with a decisive 7-1 victory over Mtarfa in a dimly-lit Dingli Ground. Debutant Kennedy Metzger and Salamatu Abdulai each grabbed brace. Karima Abdulai and Ema Micallef also sealed their first appearances with a goal apiece, while Shona Zammit completed the spree. Mtarfa pulled one back through debutant Laura Andrea Echeverri Tobon.

Team News

Swieqi United coach Saviour Darmanin marked his maiden match in charge with a few debuts and also shifts in positions for some established players. Sixteen-year old Chanelle Borg debuted in goal, in favour of giving a debut to recent recruit Paty. Tammy Falzon partnered Gabrielle Tonna in the centre of defence, while Jade Schembri took the right-back role and Jessica Dimech occupied the left. In the absence of Dorianne Theuma, it was Shona Zammit who captained the team and was partnered by Mariah Sciberras, while Salamatu Abdulai was the furthest forward from the trio most of the time. Emma Xuereb started as the left-wing forward, while Kennedy Metzger occupied the right. Karima Abdulai was the central striker.

Meanwhile, Mtarfa’s Simon Spiteri gave a start to Maria Abdilla in goal. Captain Darya Attard was at the heart of the defence, alongside Corine Deguara, Angele Fenech and Rebecca Zammit. The midfield was occupied by Shania Spiteri, Paula Ciappara and Alice Ferrari. In the forward line, Estelle Borg and debutant Laura Andrea Echeverri Tobon provided the width to Maria Zarb.

Quick Start By The Owls

Swieqi United took no time to settle in the match, immediately setting themselves on the front foot and breaking the deadlock within the second minute of play. Salamatu Abdulai crossed toward Karima Abdulai who got a touch, before Kennedy Metzger finished into the roof of the net at the far post to mark her debut.

Karima Abdulai also did not need to wait too long for her debut goal. Six minutes into the match she latched onto a through pass from Shona Zammit, before dribbling past the goalkeeper. Though the ball hit the post, Abdulai finished with the rebound.

The midfield trio of Shona Zammit, Mariah Sciberras and Salamatu Abdulai were keen on releasing the lightning-quick forward trio, which set the tone for the match. Sciberras, in particular, looked settled in a position that was rather different to her usual wide role. The Blues’ difficulties in stopping Swieqi United’s midfield from spraying balls to the forward line resulted in wave after wave of attack, piling significant pressure on the defensive line. Despite this, there were some attempts to launch a long-ball toward Maria Zarb to chase in the opening minutes.

Saviour Darmanin swapped Kennedy Metzger and Karima Abdulai around half an hour into the match, who despite the lead was still urging the team to keep up the intensity throughout. Salamatu Abdulai grabbed the third for the team shortly after, showing great individual skill to skip past two markers before slotting home the finish.

There were plenty of chances created, with a few wasteful finishes too from the Owls. However, Kennedy Metzger completed the brace two minutes from half-time with a low strike from just inside the penalty box.

Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 4 – 0 Mtarfa

Mtarfa’s Tobon Gets Debut Goal Before Owls Extend The Lead

Saviour Darmanin freshened things up at the break, giving a welcome return to Michaela Cachia who made her first appearance following a long-term injury. She was fielded in the centre of the park, replacing Kennedy Metzger, which saw Salamatu Abdulai pushed into the central striker role. Cachia immediately got in on the action to set Emma Xuereb free on the wing. Swieqi’s number nine crossed toward Abdulai who slashed at it and saw her effort bounce off-target. The Owls’ Jessica Dimech had one goal chalked off by the offside flag before Karima Abdulai saw her chip from the wing hit the upright.

It was instead Mtarfa who got a goal back. Debutant Laura Andrea Echeverri Tobon made the most of the single opportunity she had to strike from distance, with the ball hitting the post on its way into the net. It marked the first ever goal for Mtarfa against Swieqi United.

The goal rejuvenated the Blues who appeared to be running just a little bit faster following an initial slump, pressing much higher and with more purpose. Simon Spiteri brought on Shauline Maoga and Oumayma Jelili shortly after, in replacement of Maria Zarb and Alice Ferrari.

Despite the relief through the goal, Mtarfa conceded again a few minutes later. Shona Zammit delivered a pin-point set-piece from the right wing, straight onto the head of Salamatu Abdulai who buried into the net. Her match ended shortly after as Darmanin introduced debutants Ema Micallef and Kim Fava onto the pitch, in replacement of Salamatu Abdulai and Mariah Sciberras.

Both debutants showed great spirit and determination to work the ball well in the attack. Ema Micallef marked her appearance with a sumptuous strike from distance that flew straight into the top right corner to nudge Swieqi further into a 6-1 lead.

Swieqi United’s Aisha Micallef was also given her debut in the seventy-sixth minute, coming on together with Maria Vella, in straight swaps for Tammy Falzon and Emma Xuereb, respectively. Meanwhile, Mtarfa also introduced Pamela Schembri and Elisa Azzopardi later into the match.

After being denied a goal for so long throughout the match, Swieqi United’s Shona Zammit also got on the scoresheet to wrap up the evening by flicking Jessica Dimech’s delivery into the net.

Full-Time Score: Swieqi United 7 – 1 Mtarfa

Next Matches & Venue Lighting

Saturday marked the first time that matches were played at the Dingli Ground this year. The teams had barely taken to the pitch before complaints of dim lighting were reverberating around the stands, which had already started as Hibernians-Valletta drew to a close. It made for difficult viewing for the spectators, not to mention the players and staff involved in the match.

While The Sporting Fan understands that efforts are being made to improve this, it is unclear why such matters were not sorted out before the season kicked off. One expects the situation to be resolved before next weekend’s double header between Lija-San Gwann and Mgarr United-Hibernians, since they will be played at the same times.

The match concluded the first set of fixtures of the Assikura Women’s League, which also saw Birkirkara and Mgarr United triumph, together with Hibernians.

Mtarfa will seek their first three points against Valletta on Friday 1st of September at the Centenary Stadium with kick-off at 20:15. Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s encounter against Birkirkara has been chalked off. The Owls will return to action in a couple of weeks time against San Gwann.

Lead Image: Jeffrick Cachia

Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X