by Hibernians and Mgarr United will spark life into the Assikura Women’s League again at the Mgarr Ground at 20:30 tonight. Kenneth Costantino & Ryan Vella gave their say on the events during the international break, while commenting on the impacts of a venue change, Natalee Geren’s suspension and the short turnaround between the end of the international break and such a hotly contested fixture.
Rivalries Renewed As Things Tighten Once More
Hibernians and Mgarr United will re-initiate the Assikura Women’s League with an embattled clash as the league leaders meet fourth-placed Mgarr United in the latter’s home ground. Hibernians head into it with twenty points, a single point in hand over second-placed Birkirkara, while Mgarr United seek to turn fifteen into eighteen to tighten things at the top.
Hibernians ended the spell before the break with a goalless draw against Swieqi United. Kenneth Costantino summed up the score as a fair one, albeit wishing his team could do more on the day, “We aimed to reduce their space to manoeuvre and exploit certain tactical weaknesses. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our best day and a number of players performed below their standards. Nevertheless I believe the result was fair as both teams cancelled each other out.”
On the other hand, Mgarr United went into the break with a commanding victory against Mtarfa in a wet afternoon at Dingli Ground. Ryan Vella welcomed the performance as a confidence boost for his side, “Yes most definitely, our objective was to refine our style of play and be in possession of the ball as much as we can. We believed that staying in control during most moments of the match would help us rebuild confidence heading into the international break. Even though the conditions were far from ideal, our team showed great maturity to stick with the game plan and get the three points.”
Assessing The Break
Questioned about the utility of the international break, Kenneth Costantino replied, “Having the squad available helped us to manage some injuries whilst also manipulating loads.”
While Nicole Sciberras was the only player from the league leaders’ squad called up the national team selection, Costantino remarked four youngsters who regularly train and feature with the senior team made the youth selections, in Maya Muscat, Amber Galea, Shana Farrugia, as well as Alanah Ghio, with the latter called up even though ineligible to play.
Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella had less players at his disposal with six players making it to Italy. Vella expressed pride in seeing several of his players selected, “The international break had a lot of pros and cons coming with it. We’re super proud that we were the team that had the most call ups with the national team this past window and for us seeing players wearing the national team kit will always make us proud and will motivate us more to keep working hard to improve the players as much as possible.”
However, the break also marks an opportunity for teams to work on other elements, while navigating injuries. Vella continued, “This window gave us time to recover a couple of players that were injured and more individual attention was given in training to the rest of the players that were with us.”
Looking forward, the Mgarr United coach lamented the limited time between the end of the international window and the restart of the Assikura Women’s League, “At the same time, we knew that coming back from the international break we wouldn’t have much time to prepare for our next game which is a direct encounter against the league leaders. We could have done with another day of preparation, but even though time is against us, we’ll make sure to prepare the team in the best way possible for this one.”
Venue Change & Geren’s Dismissal Further Stir The Mix
The matches between the two have become renowned as hotly contested matches. The proceedings ahead of this one further stir the mix. Originally scheduled to be played at the Centenary Stadium, the Malta Football Association (MFA) changed the venue to Mgarr Ground following a late request for a pitch test by UEFA.
Having already lamented the tight confines of Mgarr Ground earlier in the season and also the season prior, a pitch that was not supposed to play host to any Assikura Women’s League matches this season, Costantino re-iterated the disappointment voiced in recent weeks over playing in this venue. He said, “The venue change is an issue which I personally did not like. Playing such a game at Mgarr Ground is far from ideal apart from the fact that it is our opponents’ home pitch.”
Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella found no particular objection, voicing an alternative viewpoint despite conceding that the pitch is smaller. He said, “In my opinion it won’t affect much. Both teams will be well prepared for this match, wherever the game will be played at. In a smaller pitch like ours any mistake can be punished as time and space will be limited and players will have to work harder as the tempo of the game will be very high at all times. However, I believe that this makes it a more intriguing contest between two good teams that want to win and get the three points at all cost.”
Further stirring the mix will be the fact that Hibernians will be without Natalee Geren, who will be serving a one-match ban following her double-yellow dismissal against Swieqi United. The Hibernians coach tore into the decisions, once again voicing previous frustrations, “The level of refereeing still continues to be inconsistent. We got two yellow cards for dissent by action. In no instance was there any dissent. It seems that taking to social media has put much pressure on referees.”
However, the league leaders will take to the pitch with the intention of making things work. Costantino continued, “Having said that, we now need to adjust our focus on the game and as always we will come up with solutions. We have a good squad and a number of options to consider.”
Indeed, Geren’s absence raises several questions as to what Costantino may opt to do, and the Hibernians coach was in no mood to reveal his plans, “We will approach the game based on the needed tactical adjustments. Every opponent brings about a different challenge and our tactical approach will be subject to these challenges and the cues we receive on the pitch during the game.”
Having stuck to a 3-4-3 system thus far, Amber Galea could be trusted into the defence alongside Amy Busuttil and Jessica Dimech, while Nicole Sciberras could also be retreated into the defence. The latter decision could trigger a shift in midfield and attack, depending on who Costantino puts on the team sheet. Alternatively, Hibernians may change their system to a back-four, which would be a testament to the importance that Geren holds for the team at the back.
Ryan Vella acknowledged the American’s importance at the back for the league leaders, but is adamant his team is ready to face the music. He said, “Obviously Natalee (Geren) is an integral part of their team and the way they play. We are aware that it might force Hibs into changing certain things, but for us, our first aim will be to think about our own game plan first, then make the adaptations if needed during the game.”
Both coaches have had their say promising a meaty battle to re-ignite the league tonight. Mgarr United will welcome Hibernians at their home ground with the referee’s whistle first sounding at 20:30. San Gwann will be meeting with Mtarfa at the same time at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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