Birkirkara secure sixth Women’s Super Cup after beating Swieqi

BIRKIRKARA        2

Said 19

Saliba 45

SWIEQI UNITED             0

BIRKIRKARA

J. Xuereb; G. Zahra (63 I. Farrugia), A. Said (90 K. Parnis), S. Farrugia, A. Sultana, R. Giusti, V. Mifsud, C. Zammit, M. Grosso, M. Cardona, S. Saliba (90 M. Fenech).

SWIEQI UNITED

C. Konlan; J. Dimech, D. Theuma, J. Flask, E. Xuereb, F. Peinado, S. Zammit, R. Mendoza, J. Vella Turner (84 M. Sciberras), J. Schembri, R. Atinga.

Referee Paula Buttigieg.

Yellow cards Xuereb, Atinga.

Birkirkara have lifted the first silverware of the season after clinching the Assikura Women’s Super with a 2-0 victory over Swieqi United at the Centenary Stadium.

The Stripes picked up their sixth Super Cup thanks to first-half goals from Ann-Marie Said and Sara Saliba as they continue to add more trophies to their cabinet.

This was the first Women’s Super Cup edition since 2019 following the Covid-19 pandemic which halted the plans for the last two editions of this trophy.

For this game, Birkirkara’s coach Jose Borg fielded a strong formation including forward Saliba who netted both winning goals against Swieqi and Mġarr United in their recent league outings.

Swieqi, on their part, also deployed their usual starting players including midfielder Shona Zammit who was presented with the Assikura Player of the Month accolade before the match.

In the opening stages of the game, chances were at a premium with both sides making sure to find the right tune and settle down their nerves in this contest.

At the first time of asking, Birkirkara forged ahead when Swieqi’s goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan failed to gain control of an Ann-Marie Said’s freekick on the 18th minute.

Jose Borg’s side came close to double their lead when Veronique Mifsud met a Said’s freekick just to be denied by the woodwork.

Swieqi’s reply came through Dorianne Theuma who let fly a couple of long-range shots which were both blocked by Janice Xuereb.

Forward Fernanda Peinado tested Xuereb with a header from inside the penalty area but the Birkirkara goalkeeper was alert to avert the danger.

Nonetheless, Birkirkara doubled their lead just before half-time through Sara Saliba who capitalised on a well-engineered positive transition who continues to establish herself as a key player at the Stripes.

After the change of ends, Birkirkara threatened again through Saliba but Konlan managed to block her effort.

As the half wore on, Swieqi struggled to stage a reaction with Birkirkara controlling their two-goal lead in a comfortable manner.

Photo: Stephen Gatt