by Valletta and Mtarfa played a free-scoring match with the Citizens edging out a 3 – 2 victory. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco’s opener was cancelled by Shania Spiteri in the first half. Rodianne Zerafa put the Citizens in the driving seat for the win. Oriane Le Gouez and Eliza Csik added a goal to each side late on.
Team Selections
Gabriella Grima started in goal for Valletta, with Lisa Vella, Sabrin Blihi and Megan La Rosa in defence. Monique Sultana and Suzanne Farrugia Sacco started in midfield, while Lilou Lucas and Lucie Lucas started on the wings. Oriane Le Gouez led the attack supported by Ylenia Grech and Rodianne Zerafa.
Mtarfa’s captain Dorienne Grech continued her stay in goal, protected by Claire Versteegh, Paula Ciappara, Rebecca Zammit and Angele Fenech. Shania Spiteri started in front of the defence. Kerrie Ciappara and Eliza Csik operated further forward with Oumayma Jelili and Jasmine Camilleri occupying the wings. Maria Abdilla started as the lone attacker.
How It Unfolded
It took Valletta just five minutes to open the scoring, settling any nerves that may have lingered going into the match. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco converted a delivery with a delightful first-timed finish that slotted into the bottom left corner of the goal.
The Citizens continued piling pressure with corner kicks, while also looking to release their forwards keeping the Mtarfa defensive unit busy. Oriane Le Gouez created a chance with a good forward drive but pulled the effort wide. Lucie Lucas hung a good ball for Rodianne Zerafa to chase behind. However, Dorienne Grech was quick off her line to sweep, before Maria Abdilla did enough to deny the second shot from Ylenia Grech. The side kept going with Rodianne Zerafa found by a cross from the left wing, but saw her header saved.
The Blues managed to relieve some pressure through Kerrie Ciappara winning a free-kick but initially struggled to get out from their half. However, things changed as Shania Spiteri was deployed further forward with the number twenty being an effective outlet. Eliza Csik was keen on offering company up top.
The two combined to get the side level in the 39th minute, working a quick combination to get Eliza Csik behind the Valletta defence. Shania Spiteri darted into the box for the return, tapping home the equaliser from the Hungarian’s cross. There was jubilation on the bench and in the stands, with the forward running off toward the bench to celebrate the goal.
The duo continued causing some concern for the Valletta defence, with Gabriella Grima sweeping on one occasion. Lisa Vella also dispossessed Maria Abdilla who was set for another similar combination with Shania Spiteri just before the half-hour mark.
Half-Time Score: Valletta 1 – 1 Mtarfa
The two teams took to the pitch with the open encounter continuing in a similar manner. Valletta’s Oriane Le Gouez was lively in attack with a good cross into the box. However, she lacked support to make it count. Rodianne Zerafa was later suffocated from turning for the shot, before Sabrin Blihi fired from distance but could not find the target.
Mtarfa’s Simon Spiteri made the first change from the two sides, with Julianne Camilleri taking to the pitch instead of Oumayma Jelili.
The Citizens continued enjoying the majority of possession, but struggling to add to their tally. Although coming under increasing pressure, Mtarfa sought to find their outlets with an eye on catching Valletta in transition.
However, Jean Lopes was not happy with proceedings and made an attacking switch in the 65th minute with Gaia Antonelli replacing Monique Sultana, to switch to a front three.
Oriane Le Gouez came close to putting Valletta back into the lead just a minute later, but Angele Fenech cleared off the line. However, Lopes’ substitution worked to good effect for the team just five minutes later as Gaia Antonelli delivered a well weighted cross into the box that Rodianne Zerafa rifled into the top right corner of the net.
However, Mtarfa were not keen on throwing the towel. Jasmine Camilleri won the ball in the final third, before squaring it to Shania Spiteri. However, she mulled the shot, with Valletta putting enough pressure for a meek effort in the end.
Mtarfa’s Katie Gribbon made an appearance instead of Kerrie Ciappara in midfield shortly after, before Valletta’s Jean Lopes made a double-switch. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and Lilou Lucas gave way to Alicia Mifsud and Sarah Fenech, who slotted on the wings.
The match continued getting stretched, with the same pattern of play as Valletta attempted to kill the game, while Mtarfa were ready to counter. Valletta could not work a free-kick to good effect, but found the third in injury time. Oriane Le Gouez was released by a direct kick from Gabriella Grima, with the French player lobbing Dorienne Grech to net her first goal in Valletta colours.
However, Mtarfa continued their never say die attitude to reduce the deficit five minutes into injury time, courtesy of Eliza Csik. The Hungarian made an individual dart into the box before nudging it into the bottom right corner of the net.
Final Score: Valletta 3 – 2 Mtarfa
Standings & International Break
Valletta take home three points, ensuring that they keep their noses just ahead of Lija Athletic who downed San Gwann earlier in the afternoon by 1 – 0, handing them their first defeat against any team from the Bottom Four pool this season. Mtarfa still search for their first point, but the match marks the second goalscoring match in a row, while marking the first time they scored twice, boding for a positive tilt to their trajectory.
The Assikura Women’s League will be on hiatus as the women’s game shifts its sight toward international football. Malta’s women’s national team will be competing in the UEFA Women’s Nations League starting by visiting Cyprus on the 21st February (18:00 CET), before welcoming Andorra at the Centenary Stadium on the 25th February (19:30).
The Assikura Women’s League returns on the 6th of March.
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