by Swieqi United returned to winning form with a 3-1 victory over San Gwann. Salamatu Abdulai and Karima Abdulai got Swieqi United going with a goal apiece. The lead was slashed by Hailey Russell who converted from the spot. However, Jade Flask ensured the victory late on for the Owls, having been denied by the woodwork earlier on.
Team Selections
Swieqi United’s Patricia Araujo remained in goal. There was one change in defence with Thea Ida Scicluna slotting alongside the trusted trio of Tammy Falzon, Rafanny Mendoza Abache and Emma Xuereb. Captain Shona Zammit started in midfield, with Michaela Cachia and Sarah Urpani operating further forward. Salamatu Abdulai made her first start of the season following her return from the FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup exploits with Ghana in the number ten role. Karima Abdulai and Jade Flask led the attack.
Justyne Caruana remained in goal for San Gwann, while there were no changes in the heart of the defence with Julian Camilleri continuing to trust Jeanelle Falzon alongside Nanako Kobayashi and Kirstie Vella. Rhea Borg made her first senior start since recovering from ACL injury in midfield, together with Chaimaa Tourki and Fatma Al Girbi. Rabab Mhalli continued to operate on the left wing and captain Annabelle Rapa on the right. Shania Gheiti led the attack, supported by Hailey Russell.
How It Unfolded
Swieqi United seized control of possession early on, with Shona Zammit very much driving play for the Owls. Emma Xuereb and Salamatu Abdulai combined well on the right wing, for Xuereb to pull the trigger from distance. However, Justyne Caruana was up to the task.
Jade Flask was close to breaking the deadlock in the 9th minute. Swieqi United’s number eight was picked out by Salamatu Abdulai, however the flicked header clipped the upright.
San Gwann responded with Hailey Russell heading the ball in midfield for Chaimaa Tourki to power a counter-attack shortly after. She linked with Shania Gheiti who throttled in battle against Tammy Falzon, but was forced away from the goal by the defender. Chaimaa Tourki supported the attack, but it fizzled away on the cutback.
Having controlled the majority of play, Swieqi United found the opening goal in the 13th minute, through a corner. Sarah Urpani delivered onto the head of Salamatu Abdulai at the near post. Justyne Caruana managed to get something on it, but not enough to deny the Ghanaian from opening the account for the Owls, as well as her own for the season.
The team in orange grew in control, but found San Gwann’s defence ready for the challenge to keep the side in it. Shona Zammit, Jade Flask and Emma Xuereb were all keen to deliver, while Zammit was also unafraid to pull the trigger from distance, in search of the extending the lead.
Indeed, the second was found by a long-range effort, through Karima Abdulai, who doubled the lead in the 22nd minute. The shot clipped the crossbar on its way in.
San Gwann continued retreating backward in search of thwarting the Owls from extending their lead. Nanako Kobayashi was often the one pushing the team out from their shell, on the look out for the midfield to pick up the attack. However, Swieqi United’s defence were largely comfortable in dealing with any attack.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 2 – 0 San Gwann
All players emerged for the second half, with no changes on either sides. Swieqi United managed to create an opportunity in the 50th minute, through a combined attack between Ghanaian duo Salamatu Abdulai and Karima Abdulai. Salamatu Abdulai was allowed to drive forward in central midfield unattended, before releasing Karima Abdulai off the shoulder of the defence. However, the shot curved wide.
San Gwann’s Hailey Russell earned her team the opportunity to get themselves back into the match through a free-kick that was within range for the shot. Fatma Al Girbi kept it on target, but the height allowed Patricia Araujo to make a comfortable save. San Gwann’s Rabab Mhalli also earned the Yellows a chance to fire from a dead-ball situation. Chaimaa Tourki took charge, aiming toward the right corner, but also found Patricia Araujo equal to the effort.
Meanwhile, San Gwann’s defence was holding fast against Swieqi United’s attempts to create more, with Jeanelle Falzon making another important block to deny Jade Flask the opportunity to put the ball into the box. However, Shona Zammit’s corner delivery begged for a touch that never arrived. The attack was recycled, with the Swieqi United skipper working hard to keep the ball in play on the wing. The cut-back was fed to Karima Abdulai who fired into the side netting.
Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma handed Miriana Conti her debut with the side in the 59th minute, with the midfielder swapping with Sarah Urpani. Ema Micallef also replaced Michaela Cachia. San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri made a change in attack, bringing on Nilayza Attard instead of Shania Gheiti on the hour mark.
Having done plenty of hard-work to shrug off the challenge from Tammy Falzon, Hailey Russell managed to win San Gwann a penalty in the 66th minute. The striker displayed a cool head to place into the bottom right corner to get San Gwann back in with a shout.
With close to half an hour to still left to play, both coaches were animated on the touchline urging their teams on their respective tasks. The Owls continued to rotate play, but with little incision into San Gwann’s defensive stance. The side looked most threatening from corners, with Shona Zammit combining with Jade Flask and also Rafanny Mendoza Abache on two separate occasions, but neither able to get purchase.
However, Jade Flask sealed the victory in the 84th minute, heading into the bottom right corner, meeting a cross from Karima Abdulai.
Thais Muscat made a late appearance for San Gwann, replacing Kirstie Vella.
Final Score: Swieqi United 3 – 1 San Gwann
Next Matches
Swieqi United take themselves to six points in the table from four outings, equal to San Gwann, but with a better goal difference. Swieqi United will look to make it two wins in succession against Lija Athletic, whom they meet at Dingli Ground next Saturday 28th at 19:30. San Gwann return to action against Mgarr United on Thursday 26th at the Centenary Stadium.
Matchday four in the Assikura Women’s League continues tonight with a head-to-head fixture between Mtarfa and Lija Athletic, which will be played at Charles Abela Stadium (20:30). Saturday presents an exciting double-header beginning with the clash between Mgarr United and Birkirkara (17:00), followed by the tie between Hibernians and Valletta (19:30).
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