by Valletta secured the victory from thanks to an early goal from Laura Muscat, with Ylenia Grech grabbing the assist. San Gwann will rue not making the most of a number of early chances, while Andjela Kricak was also denied by the crossbar in the second half.
Team Selections
San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri continued to trust Justyne Caruana in goal. She was protected by an experienced trio in captain Annabelle Rapa, Kirstie Vella and Thresa Scicluna. Rabab Mhalli and Nilayza Attard started as the wing-backs, while Martina Schembri and Fatma Al Girbi occupied the centre of the field. Andjela Kricak was deployed in the number ten role behind the partnership of Shania Gheiti and Chaimaa Tourki.
Valletta’s Jean Lopes continued to lead the team in Denis Guerra’s absence. Andressa de Souza Ramos was protected by a back three in Lisa Vella, Sabrin Blihi and the returning Georgiana Mifsud. Monique Sultana started alongside Ylenia Grech in front of the defence, while Eduarda Martins Souza started further up the field. Michela Bonello Ghio and Miriana Conti were employed as wing-backs, while captain Anna Aloisio partnered Laura Muscat in attack.
San Gwann’s Efforts Undone By Valletta Goal
It was San Gwann who started off on the front foot, creating a major opportunity just four minutes into the match. Andjela Kricak dinked a ball for Shania Gheiti to run onto but was met by Andressa de Souza Ramos who closed the shot but did not gather. Chaimaa Tourki arrived for the follow shot toward the gaping net but was just wide with the finish from around the edge of the penalty box.
As the opening minutes expired, San Gwann continued finding good spaces, but lacking the ruthlessness to finish chances while the attacking duo tended to get into each other’s way. Coach Julian Camilleri called for his forwards to improve their sharpness and he would ultimately be proven right that they would rue the missed opportunities.
Valletta settled nicely and hit back with a chance of their own as Anna Aloisio drifted wide and crossed into Laura Muscat. However, her shot was blocked by San Gwann’s defence for a corner. Ylenia Grech’s delivery ran through, and Nilayza Attard immediately set her team off on the counter. Andjela Kricak opened wide to Chaimaa Tourki. However, the attack fizzled out with the cross.
With San Gwann’s Andjela Kricak free to pick out passes at will, Valletta’s Jean Lopes shored up his midfield by retreating Eduarda Martins Souza in front of the defence and Laura Muscat into the number ten role. The change was effective in crowding out the midfield and limiting San Gwann from creating. In turn it boosted confidence for Valletta to push further in attack.
In fact, Valletta soaked up the pressure and struck with a corner. Ylenia Grech delivered into the box toward Laura Muscat, who tapped home the only goal of the match from close range in the 17th minute.
San Gwann Rue Missed Opportunties
The initial fervour of the match died down by the 25th minute as the two sides appeared to become more settled into a rhythm. San Gwann took some time to regroup and created a major opportunity in the 36th minute. Andjela Kricak pinged a ball over the top for Chaimaa Tourki to run into space out wide once more. However, the Moroccan was relucant to cross to Shania Gheiti in the box, instead choosing to go it alone and ultimately having her shot blocked.
A reversed opportunity was created shortly after as Shania Gheiti pressed a mistake from Valletta’s defence, but her attempt to strike on goal was easily dealt with by Andressa de Souza Ramos at the near post. The striker was also inadvertantly released behind by a wayward back header from Valletta’s defence but the long-range effort lacked the power and accuracy to trouble the Brazilian goalkeeper.
Half-Time Score: San Gwann 0 – 1 Valletta
San Gwann settled into a pattern of launching the ball over the top, but Valletta’s defence grew smarter to the play to snuff out chances as the game restarted. On the other hand, Valletta had an opportunity to double the lead from a free-kick just outside the penalty box into the 53rd minute. However, the wall did its job against Eduarda Martins Souza’s strike.
The team had another opportunity from another set-piece shortly after. Ylenia Grech delivered from the byline towards Laura Muscat, but her attempt to find the net was well saved by Justyne Caruana.
Changes ensued for San Gwann with Yasmin Attard replacing Martina Schembri. Attard slotted in attack, while Chaimaa Tourki retreated instead of Schembri. The hour mark also resulted in Shania Gheiti being directly replaced by Reham Mellah, while Tracy Axiak came on in the defence instead of Nilayza Attard. Axiak completed the trio in defence, while Thresa Scicluna shifted into the wing-back role.
Meanwhile, Valletta’s Lisa Vella gave way to Suzanne Farrugia Sacco, who occupied the front attacking role, while Anna Aloisio shifted into defence. Sara Bonello Ghio also replaced the goalscorer Laura Muscat. The change completed a shift of Valletta to a back-four, with Bonello Ghio and Aloisio providing the width to Georgiana Mifsud and Anna Aloisio. Michela Bonello Ghio also shifted onto the right side in midfield.
As the game trickled on, San Gwann were still in with a shout for at least a point. The 70th minute proved crucial as Andjela Kricak struck the crossbar from an effort just on the edge of the penalty area. Yasmin Attard was alert to the rebound but her effort flew over the crossbar. Still, the attempts injected some more belief into the team, while also energising those present in support.
Indeed, the Yellows’ Rabab Mhalli was released behind the defence by her compatriot Chaimaa Tourki just two minutes later. However, her attempt to find the far right corner was well read by Andressa de Souza Ramos who made the save.
Julian Camilleri made one last throw of the dice by bringing on Kya Veronique Mamo in a direct swap with Thresa Scicluna for the final six minutes of the match. The substitute released Yasmin Attard wide shortly into her appearance, but her attempt to go for the shot from the tight angle continued to favour Andressa de Souza Ramos who would’ve been disappointed to be beaten at the near post.
As the final minutes of the match drew to a close, San Gwann were unable to create more concrete chances, while Valletta were happy to disrupt momentum. The team in red and white saw out the final minutes by keeping the ball up the pitch. Although, earning a free-kick and a corner, they were unable to find a late goal from a number of set-pieces. Sabrin Blihi came the closest with a long-range effort that fizzed over the top of the bar.
Final Score: San Gwann 0 – 1 Valletta
Standings & Next Matches
The victory takes Valletta to 27 points, which also bags a fourth consecutive clean sheet. On the other hand, the defeat exposes San Gwann to the possibility of Lija Athletic drawing level on points, depending on the latter’s outcome against Mtarfa in tonight’s match (Victor Tedesco Stadium, 20:30).
Valletta will seek to make it five wins in a row against Lija Athletic on Thursday 8th at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:15). San Gwann will look to bounce back against Mtarfa on Saturday 10th at Dingli Ground (16:30).
Lead Image: Valletta FC Women
Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
1 Response
[…] to extend their positive results against the Blues, but also looking to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Valletta. The team will be especially disappointed to have had a number of chances but failed to capitalise, […]