by Valletta maintained their unbeaten streak to secure a place in the semi-final following a 6-0 victory over San Gwann. Laura Muscat completed a hat-trick, while Francesca Bartolo, Anna Aloisio and Sabrin Blihi completed the scoring.
Team Selections
Valletta’s Andressa de Souza Ramos retained her place between the sticks, protected by a trio of Georgiana Mifsud, Sabrin Blihi and Eduarda Martins Souza. Megan La Rosa and captain Anna Aloisio started as wing-backs, while Francesca Bartolo, Ylenia Grech and Monique Sultana occupied the centre of the park. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and Laura Muscat partnered each other in attack.
Justyne Caruana retained her place in goal for San Gwann, fronted by a trio of Tracy Axiak, captain Annabelle Rapa and Fatma Al Girbi. Cristina Hili and Rabab Mhalli acted as wing-backs, while Chaimaa Tourki, Andjela Kricak and Thais Muscat were the chosen midfield trio. Shania Gheiti partnered Nilayza Attard in attack.
Valletta Seize Control
San Gwann had the first opportunity to draw blood with a corner two minutes into it, as Cristina Hili’s cross was blocked by Anna Aloisio. The Yellows attempted to work a short routine but were wayward, allowing the pressure to fade.
Valletta responded with a corner of their own, with Francesca Bartolo picking out Eduarda Martina Souza who headed wide. Despite this, Valletta’s Laura Muscat fired the team into the lead eight minutes into it with a low shot. There was good play on the right wing in the lead up to it, as Megan La Rosa linked with Ylenia Grech who delivered the cross into Muscat. The referee’s advantage ensured that the attack could continue for the goal after Grech was clattered into on the pass release.
With the contest already starting to boil within the opening ten minutes, referee Owen Caruana brandished the first yellow card to Fatma Al Girbi, in search of maintaining control of the match, as cynical fouls were already at play.
San Gwann grew in confidence on the ball, in search of finding the equaliser. Nilayza Attard was allowed to turn in front of the defence, linking up with Andjela Kricak who was lining up the shot. However, Eduarda Martins Souza shuffled well to clear and deny her the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Jean Lopes made a swap putting Megan La Rosa up front, while Suzanne Farrugia Sacco slotted on the wing. La Rosa had a major opportunity to double the lead shortly after, connecting with a low cross from Anna Aloisio but placing the effort wide of the mark from six yards, with the striker evidently aware of the missed opportunity.
While Valletta continued to be dangerous, Shania Gheiti looked to press high and managed to cause some trouble at the back. However, Andressa de Souza Ramos came out to meet her and capitalised on one heavy touch.
Sabrin Blihi was next to land in the book after clipping Chaimaa Tourki, while neither side were able to capitalise from free-kick opportunities initially. Andjela Kricak struck a clean effort from distance, but saw it fly just over the crossbar.
Valletta had a goal ruled out from a free-kick in the 28th minute. Eduarda Martins Souza’s initial effort was saved by Justyne Caruana but dropped into the path of Laura Muscat who tapped home, but the goal was cancelled for offside.
Despite this, Valletta’s number eight doubled the tally in the 36th minute with a placed shot into the bottom left corner, connecting with Anna Aloisio’s square pass after she was released by Ylenia Grech. City continued using possession to pile in the crosses, while San Gwann struggled to utilise theirs effectively. Francesca Bartolo made it three just before half-time with a low effort from close range, following a drive into the right side of the box.
Half-Time Score: Valletta 3 – 0 San Gwann
Valletta Double The Scoring
Valletta’s Jean Lopes made one change at the break, bringing on Michela Bonello Ghio instead of Suzanne Farrugia Sacco at right wing-back.
City were not in the mood to settle for what they had. Laura Muscat helped on a launched ball from midfield for Anna Aloisio to chase behind. However, the right-footed effort was well wide. San Gwann responded through Shania Gheiti who surged forward once more with options on both flanks. She opted for Rabab Mhalli who was denied further advancement by Georgiana Mifsud.
Valletta’s Laura Muscat completed the hat-trick in the 57th minute, driving the ball into the left side of the net with her outside foot, following a perfectly weighted pass from Ylenia Grech. Muscat then teed up Anna Aloisio who made it five on the hour mark, finding the left side of the net. This time Muscat was found by Megan La Rosa.
Jean Lopes gave Francesca Bartolo an early rest, bringing on Lisa Vella in defence, while Eduarda Martins Souza moved into midfield. Julian Camilleri responded by bringing on Kirstie Vella in replacement of Tracy Axiak in defence.
The Yellows developed a good opportunity to get a goal back in the 64th minute, with Shania Gheiti once again in the mix. However, denied by Andressa de Souza Ramos once more in the approach. Still the attack injected more belief, with Nilayza Kricak knocking down the ball for Andjela Kricak who fired a left footed effort, winning a corner. However, the opportunity was wasted by poor delivery.
Valletta responded with a quick transition through Eduarda Martins Souza. However, the attempt to release Laura Muscat let in Justyne Caruana who gathered untroubled. Three more changes ensued for Valletta, with Sarah Bonello Ghio replacing Megan La Rosa. The front duo Laura Muscat and Anna Aloisio were replaced by Kate Muscat and Alicia Mifsud.
San Gwann had another opportunity denied in the 73rd minute as Andressa de Souza Ramos saved an attempt from Rabab Mhalli, before Thais Muscat’s rebound volley was headed away by Sabrin Blihi to maintain the clean sheet.
Cristina Hili gave way to Reham Mellah shortly after, with Thais Muscat shifting to the wing. The Yellows were still searching for a goal back. Annabelle Rapa was next to surge forward, releasing Shania Gheiti with a through ball. Although she rode the first challenge, Andressa de Souza Ramos was her match again, but yielding a corner. Sabrin Blihi rose to the occasion to clear once more from the delivery.
Three final changes were made by Julian Camilleri before the corner, bringing on Kelsey Cachia, Aaliyah Caruana and Yasmin Saber Hammam in replacement of Thais Muscat, Shania Gheiti and Fatma Al Girbi.
The physical contest ensued until the final moments, despite the match being put to bed. However, Valletta secured one final celebration from a corner kick. Ylenia Grech delivered into Sabrin Blihi, who saw her first attempt saved but fired home the rebound for the sixth and final goal.
Full-Time: Valletta 6 – 0 San Gwann
Semi-Finals
Valletta take themselves into the semi-finals, where they will relish the challenge against Birkirkara. The victory also takes their unbeaten streak into ten, across all competitions. The other semi-final will be played between Swieqi United and Hibernians, in a rematch of last year’s final.
The semi-finals are expected to be played between the 18th and 20th of April, but exact fixtures are yet to be announced, less than a week before.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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