by Mgarr United and Birkirkara shared the points in a match that stood on a knife-edge despite finishing goalless. The Greens struck the crossbar in the opening stages, but an initially balanced encounter was threatened as Mgarr United fell to ten in the latter stages of the opening half. However, the points were shared with Mgarr United holding off Birkirkara’s waves of attacks, while the Stripes’ own guardians were equally alert to the sporadic, but incisive, Mgarr United counter-attacks.
Team Selections
Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella opted for Giulia D’Antuono in goal. There was a change in system, with the Mgarr United coach opting for a back-three consisting of Leanne Cefai, Abigail Camilleri and Ann-Marie Said, with the latter making her first start against her former club. Yanina Mendez and Alejandra Villegas Caly operated as wing-backs. Maia Debono started in front of the defence, while captain Brenda Borg and Veronique Mifsud continued to operate further forward, with the latter also making her first competitive appearance against her former club. Yulya Carella returned to the starting line-up, supporting Valeria Villegas Caly in attack.
Birkirkara’s Vince Galea made no changes in goal, with Maya Cachia continuing to be trusted between the sticks. Martina Fenech made her first start of the season as the right-back, while Calista Schechinger operated on the left. Valentina Rapa continued to partner Charlene Zammit in defence. There were no changes in midfield, with Gabriella Zahra and Yuna Hazekawa continuing in the company of Luana Vitoria Cabral, who was also facing her former club for the first time. There were no changes in attack with captain Alishia Cassar starting alongside Erica Bispo and Raina Giusti.
How It Unfolded
The referee’s opening whistle had barely sounded out before Mgarr United almost struck through a corner kick. Yanina Mendez curled into the crossbar, before Abigail Camilleri attempted to finish off the loose ball. However, Charlene Zammit cleared the danger.
The opening chance gave way to a frantic start to the match, with tension evident on the pitch and on the benches as both sides grappled with control. Half-chances ensued for both sides. Birkirkara’s Martina Fenech cut-back to Yuna Hazekawa, who fired the shot but found Maia Debono ready to block. At the other end, the Villegas Caly sisters combined, with Alejandra finding Valeria but the timing of the shot let her down.
Fighting for every square space of the pitch, the free-kick count started to rack up as time wore on. Mgarr United’s Ann-Marie Said delivered twice, with Birkirkara opting to keep a high line and seeing away the danger.
The Greens squeezed up, forcing an error at the back, with Valeria Villegas Caly nicking possession on the side of the box. She darted to the byline, but powered a cross which no one met at the far post, despite runners into the box.
The chances invigorated Mgarr. The left-wing was combining well through Yanina Mendez and Ann-Marie Said, with the latter releasing Yulya Carella. Mgarr United’s number eleven whipped a cross in, but neither Valeria Villegas Caly nor Veronique Mifsud could get enough of a touch to trouble Maya Cachia. The roles were reversed a few minutes later, but this time it was Carella who could not get the finishing touch.
Having withstood plenty of pressure, Birkirkara fought back with a free-kick of their own. Gabriella Zahra delivered low into the box, but everyone failed to get a touch, including Giulia D’Antuono, with the ball curling wide to the relief of the Greens.
The Stripes turned up the heat as the half ebbed towards its final minutes, and things truly took a turn in the match as Luana Vitoria Cabral was brought down by Abigail Camilleri on a run on goal. The referee, Luca Grech, reached for his pocket, brandishing a straight red to the Mgarr United defender in the 39th minute. Ryan Vella reacted by retreating Maia Debono into the heart of the defence.
Successive free-kicks ensued for Birkirkara with Yuna Hazekawa’s attempt blocked by Mgarr United’s back line, before Alishia Cassar earned the team a successive free-kick, which was also dealt with.
Despite going down to ten, Mgarr United still attempted to come out of their shell with Brenda Borg leading by example to roll two players with one turn, before finding Yulya Carella. However, the attempt to release Valeria Villegas Caly was overcooked.
Despite the red card, things were tightly poised, with neither coach wanting to tamper too much at the break. As expected, Birkirkara emerged with the onus on them to capitalise on the numbers advantage and created their first chances within the early stages.
Charlene Zammit picked out Raina Giusti, who cut inside before curling one toward the near post. However, Giulia D’Antuono dove to make the stop. Calista Schechinger was next to drive forward, but her cross found no finisher.
Mgarr United were evidently focused on staying as compact as possible to avoid conceding, with Valeria Villegas Caly being a lonely, but potent, holding figure up top.
End to end action ensued as the Greens surged on a splitting counter-attack initiated by Alejandra Villegas Caly. She won possession, before bursting forward with pace, finding Valeria Villegas Caly. The Colombian first-timed it to Yulya Carella who returned to release her behind. However, Maya Cachia was off her line to clutch in the box. The Stripes attempted to respond quickly with a long-ball over the top, but Giulia D’Antuono showed her own anticipation to also snuff out the chance.
Tensions were evident with some mistakes starting to creep into play, while coaches urged calm from their team but simultaneously displaying their own tension ticks. Yanina Mendez was next to land in the book for shooting the ball away in frustration, with referee Luca Grech sticking to the rulebook. However, Mgarr United survived the free-kick
The Greens’ Veronique Mifsud was quick to orchestrate a release to Alejandra Villegas Caly, who found Valeria Villegas Caly. However, she was reluctant to pull the trigger, with Charlene Zammit using her experience to recover the space and close down the angle to block the shot. Her sister, Alejandra Villegas Caly had a similar opportunity later on, but she too dove too deep, with Maya Cachia making a comfortable stop at the end. Veronique Mifsud attempted a bold one from distance, with shot dipping not far off the crossbar, but Maya Cachia appeared to have it covered nonetheless.
As Mgarr United grew more stubborn, Birkirkara’s Vince Galea looked to his arsenal on the bench. Francesca Chircop was introduced in replacement of Martina Fenech, with Alishia Cassar dropping to right-back as a result.
The Stripes earned themselves more set-pieces. However, Ann-Marie Said was first to clear a corner delivery from Calista Shechinger, before Giulia D’Antuono claimed a free-kick delivery to relieve pressure shortly after.
As Birkirkara squeezed further forward, the midfield grew more suffocated, with the field of play becoming increasingly limited to just half of the Dingli pitch. However, Mgarr United’s Brenda Borg was still leading by example, finding ways to wriggle out from the tackles and come away with the ball, giving the chance for the defence to breathe. On their part, the make-shift trio of Leanne Cefai, Maia Debono and Ann-Marie Said appeared in sync, as if they had done this together for years.
Vince Galea urged his team to take their time with the ball, knowing his team had the opportunity to work openings, but needing a patient approach. Changes ensued from either bench as the final quarter of an hour approached. Mgarr United’s Yulya Carella gave way to Rodiana Borg, while Amelia Vassallo was introduced instead of Gabriella Zahra. Lara May Azzopardi also made a late appearance for the Stripes, replacing Calista Schechinger.
The Stripes looked to exploit moments of rare space behind the Mgarr United defence, with the Greens appearing more fatigued as the time passed, despite still picking their spots to go forward in search of a winning goal. Raina Giusti and Erica Bispo both managed to get behind the defence, but Giulia D’Antuono commanded the airspace.
Support for either side grew louder with the match hanging on a knife-edge. Both teams had late corner opportunities, but Valentina Rapa headed away a delivery from Brenda Borg, before Francesca Chircop had a shot blocked at the other end. The Stripes claimed a penalty as Amelia Vassallo dropped to the ground following contact at her back, but the officials waived claims. Charlene Zammit fired the loose ball from just outside the box, but the effort had too much power, rising over the bar.
Birkirkara had one final opportunity to strike from a free-kick. However, Yuna Hazekawa’s delivery was headed out by Leanne Cefai, before Charlene Zammit delivered an acrobatic finish that was struck well, but found Giulia D’Antuono’s safe hands just as ready.
Final Score: Mgarr United 0 – 0 Birkirkara
Next Matches
The two teams take a point apiece, with the Greens probably the happier of the two considering the circumstances. They take their tally to six points to sit in third on goal difference. The Greens will return to action on Thursday 26th at the Centenary Stadium against San Gwann, at 20:15, with the two level on points.
Birkirkara take their points tally to ten, maintaining their place at the top, but dropping their first points in the league. In doing so, they are equalled on points by Hibernians, who won their match against Valletta later on in the evening by 3 – 0. The two leaders will battle it out directly on Friday 27th at 20:30. The match is penned to be played at Victor Tedesco Stadium, but confirmation is pending finishing of ongoing works at the stadium.
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