Swieqi beat Birkirkara for first women’s Super Cup triumph

BIRKIRKARA 1-2 SWIEQI UNITED
Erica Bispo 65 (B); Salamatu Abdulai 13, Shona Zammit 45 (S)

BIRKIRKARA
M. Cachia; G. Zahra, Y. Hazekawa, L. Cabral (84 M. Gauci), A. Cassar, A. Vassallo (55 M. Fenech) (64 L. Azzopardi, C. Zammit, C. Schechinger (84 S. Francalanza), M. Cardona, V. Rapa, E. Bispo.

SWIEQI UNITED
P. Araujo; E. Micallef, S. Urpani, E. Xuereb, S. Abdulai, K. Abdulai, S. Zammit, Rafanny, J. Schembri, T. Falzon, M. Cachia.

Referee Ranald Portelli.

Yellow cards Schembri, Cabral.

Red card Charlene Zammit (Birkirkara) 90.

Swieqi United delivered a clinical performance to secure their maiden Super Cup victory, overcoming Birkirkara in Sunday’s final.

This triumph is the Owls’ second major honor, following their 2023 domestic cup win.

The victory also marks a milestone for Dorianne Theuma, earning her first silverware as a senior team coach.

In the opening stages, Birkirkara looked to impose their game by dominating possession and building play methodically, aiming to exploit spaces in Swieqi’s defensive setup. 

On the other hand, Swieqi relied on swift counter-attacks, using their pace and direct passes to threaten on the break, showcasing a clear intent to capitalize on transitions.

The Owls capitalized on their counter-attacking strategy early on, taking the lead with one of their first breaks. Salamatu Abdulai showcased her blistering pace as she outpaced Valentina Rapa in a one-on-one sprint, before coolly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Maya Cachia, leaving the Birkirkara defense scrambling to recover.

Gabriella Zahra came close to equalizing for Birkirkara with a curling shot from outside the box, but Patricia Araujo was equal to the task.

Yuna Hazekawa also had a chance to restore parity, but her effort narrowly missed the target.

Swieqi’s goalkeeper played a pivotal role, making a stunning save from a Birkirkara corner as the Stripes ramped up the pressure on the Owls.

Zahra squandered a golden opportunity to score, sending a close-range attempt over the bar.

Just before halftime, captain Shona Zammit extended Swieqi’s lead. The Malta international finished off a brilliant team move that started with the goalkeeper, slotting home from inside the six-yard box.

After the break, Birkirkara sought to regain momentum and managed to reduce the deficit just after the hour mark through Bispo.

Shortly after, Luana Cabral came close to equalizing, her header narrowly missing the target.

Swieqi responded with a long-range effort from Zammit, which was deflected into a corner by Birkirkara goalkeeper Maya Cachia. Moments later, Urpani tried her luck but failed to find the target.

Cachia proved crucial again, denying Karima Abdulai with a vital block seven minutes from time.

In stoppage time, Birkirkara were down to 10 players after Charlene Zammit was given the marching orders for a dangerous tackle, meaning she will, at least, skip next Friday’s crucial league match against Hibernians due to a suspension.