Holders Swieqi start cup defence as league champions Birkirkara eye treble

After missing out on this year’s Assikura Women’s League title, Swieqi United will shift their focus on the Assikura Women’s Knockout where they will be hoping to repeat last season’s success.

The Owls defeated Hibernians in the previous edition to lift their first-ever major silverware in women’s football.

Now led by captain Dorianne Theuma, one of last year’s scorers in the final, after parting ways with Saviour Darmanin, Swieqi are expected to progress to the semi-finals as they face Mtarfa in their final eight matches.

Mtarfa, on their part, are guided by coach Brandon Spiteri and finished bottom of the league table without a single point.

Swieqi will welcome back defender Rafanny Mendoza to their squad after their central defender was part of Venezuela’s double-header friendly against Panama during this month’s international window.

However, they are expected to be without fullback Emma Xuereb who withdrew from the Malta squad after picking up an injury.

Meanwhile, fresh from their 12th league success, Birkirkara are seeking a potential domestic treble as they start their cup run against bottom-four side Lija Athletic.

The Stripes clinched their seventh straight title with 18 victories in 23 league outings.

In addition, they lifted the Super Cup after beating Swieqi 2-1 in December’s final.

Jose Borg’s side, though, will have to try and lift this cup without the services of their number one goalkeeper Janice Xuereb who suffered an ACL injury during Malta’s European qualifier against Portugal, on Tuesday.

Their opponents, Lija, scored 22 points on their return to senior women’s football after picking seven wins and one draw.

In the highlight clash of these quarter-final ties, Top Four sides Mġarr United and Hibernians will cross swords at the Centenary Stadium, on Friday.

Hibernians, coached by Kenneth Costantino, finished third in the top section with 41 points scoring valuable wins against both Birkirkara and Swieqi United.

The Paolites camp will buoyed by the renewal of American defender Natalee Geren who has been one of the club’s best performers in her Malta debut.

On the other hand, Mġarr placed fourth with 36 points after a disappointing campaign despite making some important signings during the summer including Brazilian playmaker Joelma who finished second in the league’s scoring charts with 20 goals.

QUARTER-FINAL FIXTURES

FRIDAY
Mġarr United vs Hibernians – Centenary Stadium, 8.30pm.
Birkirkara vs Lija Athletic – Centenary Stadium, 8.30pm.

SATURDAY
Mtarfa vs Swieqi United – Mġarr Ground, 2pm.
Valletta vs San Ġwann – Mġarr Ground, 4.30pm.

SEMI-FINAL DRAWS

Mtarfa/Swieqi United vs Mġarr United/Hibernians.

Valletta/San Ġwann vs Birkirkara/Lija Athletic.