by The Owls ensured themselves the three points with a 3-1 victory over Valletta. Kaysia Micallef and Salamatu Abdulai gave Swieqi a comfortable lead at the break. Eduarda Martins Souza earned a goal back for Valletta, but Swieqi’s Shona Zammit restored the two-goal cushion with a long-range effort.
Team Selections
Patricia Araujo retained her place in goal for Swieqi United. Tammy Falzon continued to partner Rafanny Abache Mendoza in the heart of the defence, while Jade Schembri also retained her place on the right of the defence. Jessica Dimech shifted into left-back. Ema Micallef made her start alongside Shona Zammit who captained the team. Salamatu Abdulai orchestrated in the number ten role, while Mariah Sciberras and Kaysia Micallef continued their work on the wings. Karima Abdulai made her start in the centre of attack.
Likewise, there was no change between the sticks for Valletta, with Andressa de Souza Ramos retaining her place. Denis Guerra opted for a back-four, with Sabrin Blihi and Georgiana Mifsud in its centre, who were flanked by Lisa Vella and captain Anna Aloisio. The midfield was controlled by Michela Bonello Ghio, Eduarda Martins Souza and Monique Sultana. Francesca Bartolo led the attack, flanked by Laura Muscat and Ylenia Grech.
Swieqi United Break The Deadlock
It was Valletta who had the attacking momentum early on. Eduarda Martins Souza delivered the first strike but pulled it wide, before Francesca Bartolo worked Patricia Araujo with a low shot.
However, Swieqi United responded through Kaysia Micallef who made short work of two markers before releasing into Karima Abdulai. She forced a palm from Andressa de Souza Ramos who sent it for a corner. However, Valletta saw away the threat.
The Owls made another quick dart up the pitch, which Patricia Araujo initiated with a quick throw into Kaysia Micallef. She found her captain, Shona Zammit, who switched play into Salamatu Abdulai. However, Andressa de Souza Ramos made an effective block to deny the Ghanaian. Abdulai attempted to flick a corner delivery from Mariah Sciberras shortly after, but was just wide of the mark.
Saviour Darmanin engaged in a tactical swap, bringing Kaysia Micallef into the central striker role which worked a treat to break the deadlock in the 20th minute. The youngster received a cross from Jade Schembri, which Micallef finished into the bottom right of the goal.
The Owls were keen to punish Valletta on the counter, with Shona Zammit attempting to release Mariah Sciberras on the right wing. However, Anna Aloisio won the foot race to clear for a throw in. Sciberras won another duel shortly after, before delivering a cross into the box. However, the chance ebbed away after Karima Abdulai failed to get any purchase on the ball and Shona Zammit arrived late at the far post. The side continued to pepper shots at Valletta’s goal, but City stood strong to deny them the second.
Valletta returned fire with direct attempts to get players behind Swieqi United’s defensive line. Michela Bonello Ghio attempted to release Monique Sultana, while Ylenia Grech crossed to Laura Muscat, whose header drifted wide. The latter continued having a tense battle with Jade Schembri, with the two at each other’s throats throughout. Eduarda Martins Souza also attempted to curl a ball into Monique Sultana who made the run behind, but she only managed weak contact which sent the ball wide.
They were punished for not capitalising on the chances as Karima Abdulai played a through ball into compatriot Salamatu Abdulai for the second goal. Swieqi United’s number ten placed into the bottom right corner of the net just before half-time.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 2 – 0 Valletta
Valletta Mount Comeback
The two teams emerged ready for a drenching as the rain that had been threatening had finally arrived, and persisted throughout most of the half. Denis Guerra made one change at the break, bringing on Miriana Conti in a direct swap with Laura Muscat. Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s Kaysia Micallef returned to the right wing, while Mariah Sciberras occupied the left.
Valletta came out onto the pitch in search of getting back into the match. The team won a free-kick in a good position, however Eduarda Martins Souza’s attempt was deflected for a corner. Although Swieqi United saw out the first, Valletta converted the second. Francesca Bartolo delivered toward Eduarda Martins Souza who flicked it home at the near post.
Having their lead cut in half sent Swieqi United back into a more determined goal-searching mode. Jessica Dimech delivered a free-kick from midfield which was headed off-target by Karima Abdulai. Shortly after, Mariah Sciberras rolled her marker before releasing Salamatu Abdulai. However, Andressa de Souza Ramos was off her line to collect.
Valletta’s Denis Guerra opted for an attack-minded change, bringing on Sarah Vella Barberi in replacement of Michela Bonello Ghio. Vella Barberi slotted on the right wing, pushing Ylenia Grech into midfield.
Swieqi United Earn Back Two Goal Advantage
Absolutely drenched, the two sides continued fighting over the slippery surface. The midfield tussle ensued, but Swieqi United enjoyed the majority of the attacking momentum.
Jessica Dimech was effective in pushing forward play, before Salamatu Abdulai attempted to release Karima Abdulai behind. However, Anna Aloisio matched her pace to flick the ball for a corner. Valletta defended successive corners, but an attempt to run free on the counter was stopped by Shona Zammit, who took a booking for the team to nip City’s surge toward creating an equaliser in the bud.
Despite this, Valletta’s Sarah Vella Barberi was released by Francesca Bartolo on the right wing shortly after. However, the number eleven’s attempt from distance was hopeful and flew off target. At the other end, Shona Zammit continued pushing her team toward extending their lead. She attempted to cross toward Karima Abdulai, which was well intercepted by Sabrin Blihi.
Saviour Darmanin shored up the defence by bringing on Emma Xuereb in replacement of Ema Micallef. Xuereb slotted in the left-back role, while Jessica Dimech shifted in front of the defence.
Shona Zammit finally restored the two-goal lead for the Owls in the 78th minute, with a precise long-range effort that nestled into the bottom right corner.
Despite having hopes of a draw dashed as the match drew to a close, Valletta attempted to reduce the deficit with a free-kick. Sabrin Blihi delivered toward Francesca Bartolo, but her header was saved by Patricia Araujo. Swieqi United kept play in Valletta’s defensive third for the remainder to see out their victory.
Final Score: Swieqi United 3 – 1 Valletta
Standings & Next Matches
The victory means that Swieqi United keep themselves in second place on 27 points, a point ahead of Mgarr United and Hibernians who are tied on 26. Birkirkara lead the table on 28 points, following their victory over Hibernians earlier in the afternoon. The Stripes could finish the year on 31 points if they win their match against bottom of the table Mtarfa this Tuesday. Meanwhile, the defeat means that Valletta fail to close the gap to the top four, and continue to sit detached in fifth place with 15 points.
The teams will rest up in the holiday period, before they make a return. Swieqi United will immediately get into the thick of it with a direct confrontation against Mgarr United, whom they meet on the 5th January at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30). Valletta will have another tough battle on their hands, against defending champions Birkirkara, on the 4th January at the Centenary Stadium (20:15).
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