by Birkirkara and Swieqi United will engage in the first battle of the season tonight at the Charles Abela Stadium at 20:30, in a last minute change of venue. Birkirkara’s Vince Galea praised the team’s experience in the Champions League and is looking for a good showing despite the blow of losing captain Stephania Farrugia to an ACL injury. Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma admitted the team is still looking to consolidate, but is betting on new recruits and the return of familiar faces to unite in search of a triumph over the defending champions. The Malta Football Association also addressed the situation around the venue relocation.
MFA Response On Abrupt Venue Change
Birkirkara and Swieqi United have been the two teams that have fought closest in recent years, with the Stripes edging ahead in most battles to clinch silverware. While competition appears to be on the horizon from the growing threats of Hibernians and Mgarr United, the first encounter between Birkirkara and Swieqi United will be an interesting one to see unfold, not just in terms of the title challenge, but also as a potential first hint on where the Super Cup may go later this year.
However, what was supposed to be an exhilarating clash in the expansive Victor Tedesco Stadium, has been relocated to Charles Abela Stadium. First official signs of this where an understated change on the match-centre website, yesterday evening. It is understood that the clubs involved were informed of the change after 8 pm last night. The general public was notified by a social media post, on the MFA Women’s Department’s page, at 8 am this morning.
Contacted for comment the Malta Football Association provided details on the official communications and the reason for the change, which affects a host of matches that were due to be played at the Hamrun Stadium.
The statement said, “The Malta FA Match Operations department issued a notification yesterday evening regarding a change in fixtures to the respective clubs concerning all matches at Victor Tedesco Stadium. This adjustment also affected Challenge League matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday due to a technical issue with the floodlights. The kick-off times for these matches have been moved earlier to avoid reliance on the floodlights. Our priority was to inform the relevant teams, and this morning, the Women’s Department shared the same communication via their Facebook page. We are confident that communication to the clubs and through social media will ensure all relevant parties are now informed.”
It is unclear why the communication of the decision was delayed so much, considering that the issues are well known. Questioned on the decision to move the match to Charles Abela Stadium instead of the more fitting venue for such a top clash, such as the Centenary Stadium, or to postpone it altogether, the MFA response was, “Relocating to another venue is not feasible as stadiums like Centenary are occupied with other fixtures bearing in mind that this weekend also sees the start of the National Amateur League and the Challenge League. It was more practical to adjust the schedule at an available stadium than to postpone fixtures at this early stage in the season, considering the potential ripple effects.”
The Association noted that efforts to resolve the issue are receiving the required urgency, while apologising for the short notice, “We anticipate resolving the issue at Victor Tedesco Stadium promptly and look forward to fully utilising this enhanced facility. We understand that this change was communicated at the last minute and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience it may have caused. As always, we strive to avoid such last-minute changes however this is not always in our control.”
Return From European Football Against Closest Foe
Birkirkara come into this following their UEFA Women’s Champions League commitments, where they defeated Breznica Pljevlja by 2-1 in extra-time, before falling to a 5-0 defeat to RSC Anderlecht. Vince Galea suggests that, besides the injury to captain Stephania Farrugia (more below), the team has been boosted by the European experience overall despite any lingering fatigue.
He said, “We are satisfied with the work done in pre-season and last week, although playing two games in four days at that level can have some sort of effect on the team. However, the players came out of this experience in positive spirits, knowing that we have improved as a team and we were very competitive in both games. There is a strong bond between the players and I am happy with the dynamic of experienced and young players in the team.”
The Stripes’ last league commitment was a narrow 1-0 victory against a stubborn but tactically disciplined Lija Athletic. Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s last outing in the Assikura Women’s League ended in a 3-0 victory over Valletta.
Dorianne Theuma rejected the idea that Birkirkara’s Champions League commitments weakens them from a fatigue perspective, “Not necessarily, I believe playing two high-calibre international matches could work to their advantage by boosting their intensity and confidence.”
However, Swieqi United’s coach is focusing on the positives for her team despite a topsy-turvy start, “For us, the start has been challenging, and we’re still working to settle as a unit. However, I’m pleased with the team’s progress, especially in terms of finding the stability and consistency needed to perform well.”
Farrugia Blow To Birkirkara, Swieqi Still Consolidating Squad
Although there were positives from Birkirkara’s Champions League commitments, the team was dealt a major blow in the injury to Stephania Farrugia, who is confirmed to have suffered an ACL injury in the fixture against RSC Anderlecht. As expected, the injury will take out the recent 400-cap graduate and leader of the team for a lengthy period, besides the team also currently operating without the services of first-choice goalkeeper Janice Xuereb, due to the same injury.
Vince Galea addressed Stephania Farrugia’s injury news and its impact on the team’s trajectory, “Losing Steph was obviously an event that we would not ever wanted to happen, but such injuries unfortunately happen in football. All players and staff are all behind Steph in such difficult moment and I am sure that other players will step up to serve the team and get the best possible performances.”
On the other hand, Swieqi United have their own players on the sidelines due to the same injury. The team has also been operating without the services of Salamatu Abdulai who was away on international duty with Ghana for the FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup.
Dorianne Theuma suggested that the Ghanaian’s appearance in the match tonight is in doubt, “Salamatu had an intense six weeks on international duty, so we’re still evaluating her physical condition to see if she’s ready for this match.”
On the other hand, the team has taken to the pitch this season without 2022/23 MFA & MFPA Player of The Year, Jade Flask. Dorianne Theuma provided positive news on the return of the forward in the orange shirt, “Jade Flask has been training well with the team over the past two weeks. While she’s still lacking some match practice, she re-integrated quickly and is physically ready.” However, the Swieqi United coach confirmed that the team will have to do without Mariah Sciberras’ services, who has opted to step away from the game.
Despite this, the club has managed to capture the signature of Miriana Conti, who Dorianne Theuma is betting on helping the team challenge at the top, along with the return of Abdulai & Flask, “With Salamatu, Jade, and the addition of Miriana Conti, we’ll have more depth and options, something we lacked in the first two matches.”
Will It Be Cagey Or Set Out A New Path?
The battles between the two teams have often been cagey ones, with limited goal-mouth action at times. However, the two coaches will bring a new spin to things. The fact that it will be played at the Charles Abela Stadium instead of the initially planned Victor Tedesco Stadium may throw up a different shade to things as well.
Vince Galea rejected that Swieqi United’s mixed start will make the encounter any less competitive, “It is still early in the season and I am sure that Swieqi will be well prepared for this game as they have been in the past.”
As to the question of whether there may be tweaks to control possession or if he expects a more even duel, Galea suggests that he is focused on his team sticking to their identity, “We will definitely stick to our principles of play we work on day in day out in training. Our team will always seek to impose the game and will be ready for a challenging encounter.”
Like her counterpart, Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma appears stubborn on the team’s principles, while also looking for her team to step up the concentration against the defending champions, “We will stick to our game plan, while also respecting the strengths of Birkirkara. The key for us will be maintaining discipline and focus throughout the full ninety minutes, something we lacked in past encounters against them. Whether we dominate possession or not, our priority is to stay organised and make the most of our opportunities.”
The first clash between Birkirkara and Swieqi United will be played tonight at the Charles Abela Stadium at 20:30.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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[…] at the Charles Abela Stadium, since the initially planned venue, the Victor Tedesco Stadium, is still undergoing works related to the lighting. Kick-off will be at […]