by Valletta and Lija Athletic are expected to initiate the final phase of the Assikura Women’s League this evening at the Centenary Stadium at 20:15. Valletta’s Jean Lopes spoke about the defeat to San Gwann, while giving his take on the potential impacts of future forfeits on the bottom four pool. Lija’s Jethron Azzopardi discussed his team’s forfeit, while raising questions on futsal and scheduling. However, the two coaches are backing their team on taking to the pitch and fighting for points tonight.
A Heavy Defeat & A Forfeit
If there is anything that the two teams will hope, it is that the second phase brings with it a new wind. Valletta finished off their commitments with their first ever defeat to San Gwann, and it was a scalding one. San Gwann secured a 4 – 0 victory within the first 45 minutes.
Valletta’s coach, Jean Lopes, was clear that his team should have done better on the day, “Unfortunately, the match against San Gwann was a match well below our average, where we were unable to find our feet during the game. We showed an improvement in the second half, but it was too late because they had already finished the match.”
Valletta’s coach made his first change before half-time, but perhaps a few will have been surprised that the Brazilian did not deploy any of his four new signings from the start.
Lopes gave some insight into the decision, “It was my choice not to start with the new signings, considering how we had performed against Birkirkara without them. I know how football works in Malta and if I start with the athletes and the team suffers a defeat like it did, the blame would fall entirely on them. So it was an opportunity to show them how football works in Malta, to alleviate some of the anxiety of the debut and give them more opportunities from there.”
Meanwhile, Lija Athletic never landed a foot on the pitch for the match against Hibernians, with the team yielding a forfeit. In a public statement, the club cited a number of injuries as the culprit behind the forfeit. Jethron Azzopardi’s responses ahead of the match against Hibernians did not suggest the gravity of the situation.
Questioned on the ongoings in the twenty-four hours that elapsed between giving his pre-match comments to this page and forfeiting the match, Azzopardi replied, “At the moment we are dealing with lots of injuries, players sick and players who booked holidays before fixtures were out. So we were down to the very limit of risking other injuries.”
On The Cause & Impact Of Forfeits
In fact, both Lija Athletic & Mtarfa yielded forfeits in different circumstances last week. Should the situation persist from the two, Valletta & San Gwann could be in trouble. This, considering that six out of nine remaining matches in the league would be played against Mtarfa and Lija Athletic as a result of the league split.
Jean Lopes was questioned on his thoughts about the impact he believes it would have on his team. Casting a wide view he started, “It’s complicated. Only those of us who experience women’s football day-to-day know what we have to go through to continue trying to develop the sport. It hasn’t been easy for anyone.”
He continued, “I believe that a forfeit is never the wisest solution. I think that perhaps the teams could help each other more, and the (Malta Football) Association could certainly provide better support for the teams, planning the championship better, announcing the dates of the games in advance, trying to have fewer conflicts between the U19 and senior games. All of this helps us to prepare and plan the season better.”
On the other hand, Lija Athletic’s Jethron Azzopardi had discussed the implications of injuries, as well as player departures hampering the team’s depth, which was already limited to begin with. However, having hinted toward new signings that are yet to materialise, Jethron Azzopardi was questioned on the backing from Lija Athletic to avoid further forfeits.
Azzopardi’s reply focused on other matters, which in part echoed his counterpart’s response. He said, “I want to point out something here, what is the reason that fixtures are not all out yet? Our players, as others, have their private lives and other priorities. Add also the ridiculously scheduled U19 games, two days before a seniors’ game, limiting playing time. How can we improve senior women’s football? Add to it introducing futsal. This has limited our squad as you cannot stop a player from playing futsal.”
Lija Athletic’s line-ups this season featured at least seven players who are involved at U19 level, while up to seven senior team players also feature in the Enemed Women’s Futsal League. More than five players that started the season with the side, have also long ceased to take to the pitch in football matches or moved on.
The Lija Athletic coach was pressed for insight into the transfer movement of the side. His reply gave hope but not much detail, “We are finalising some players and more should be available soon.”
Blocking Out The Noise & Focusing On The Ninety
The last encounter between the two may feel like a lifetime ago, but it had plenty of drama within it, ultimately decided by a penalty in favour of Valletta. Despite appearing to be in different waters, Valletta are leading Lija Athletic by just two points in the table, meaning that three points in Lija’s favour could swing things in the table.
Despite some doubts of a forfeit that will linger, Valletta’s coach is handling the situation with a belief that his opponent will take to the pitch. “I am preparing the team for the match and I believe that Lija will attend the game. I try not to think about that possibility (of a forfeit), because I know that it could make us lose focus. So we are prepared for the match and I hope that the best team wins on the field.”
Jethron Azzopardi gave the thumbs up on the team’s appearance in tonight’s match. Asked on the objective, the coach was positive in his response, “Give a good battle and hopefully get points out of it.”
The two teams are expected to take to the pitch at the Centenary Stadium at 20:15 this evening.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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