ANENII NOI 0-5 SWIEQI UNITED Salamatu Abdulai 48, 58; Aleksandra Yaneva 60; Sara Saliba 76; Andela Kricak 86.
ANENII NOI A. Saitan; S. Rotari, L. Caraman, C. Musteata, D. Iurcu (67 A. Ceban), A. Maidanscaia (67 V. Tatariu), L. Andone (74 A. Barlea), A. Toma (90 D. Ignat), S. Meleca, G. Bagrin, C. Vasilachi.
SWIEQI UNITED P. Araujo; V. Rapa (77 M. Conti), T. Falzon, Rafanny (26 J. Schembri), E. Xuereb, A. Kricak, M. Cachia (77 E. Koneva), S. Zammit (77 E. Micallef), A. Yaneva (66 S. Urpani), S. Saliba, S. Abdulai.
Referee: Eglantina Pjetrushaj (Albania FA).
Yellow cards: Urpani, Toma.
Swieqi United enjoyed a dream debut in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, securing an emphatic 5-0 victory over Moldovan champions Anenii Noi in their opening match.
The Owls delivered a commanding performance in Slovakia to advance to the mini-tournament final, where they will face either hosts Spartak Myjava or Montenegro’s Budućnost on Saturday for a place in Round 2.
Despite a goalless first half, Swieqi United always looked the superior side. They dominated possession and chances, with their pressure finally paying off in the second half as they netted five unanswered goals.
Coach Dorianne Theuma handed debuts to several new signings, including Bulgarian forward Aleksandra Yaneva, who boasts prior Champions League experience, and Sara Saliba, a former Birkirkara and Milan player. The attacking trio was completed by Ghana U20 international Salamatu Abdulai.
In defence, former Birkirkara Valentina Rapa also started, while Shona Zammit captained the team in her first European appearance for Swieqi.
The match began cautiously, with both sides feeling each other out. Swieqi gradually asserted themselves, although Anenii Noi’s physical approach posed an early challenge.
Swieqi United’s 2-0 (Salamatu Abdulai).
The Owls created the first real chance when Saliba met a corner from Zammit, but her header was off target. Yaneva followed up with a blocked effort before unleashing a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar.
Swieqi suffered an early setback when towering Venezuela international Rafanny was forced off with an injury in the 26th minute, replaced by Jade Schembri. However, the Owls maintained their dominance, with Yaneva and Zammit testing the Anenii goalkeeper before halftime.
Swieqi United’s 3-0 (Aleksandra Yaneva).
The breakthrough came early in the second half. Just minutes after Saliba struck the woodwork on a counter-attack, Abdulai latched onto a through ball, rounded the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted into an empty net to put Swieqi 1-0 ahead.
Swieqi’s confidence soared, and they doubled their lead through Abdulai again, who reacted quickest to a loose ball and found the net with a composed finish. Yaneva continued to threaten and was finally rewarded for her efforts with a low strike that made it 3-0.
Swieqi United’s 4-0 (Sara Saliba).
The Owls didn’t let up. Serbian midfielder Andela Kricak came close with a curling effort that was tipped over for a corner, while Saliba continued her search for a goal with a couple of off-target attempts before finally finding the net after converting a penalty.
Substitute Sarah Urpani also got involved, forcing another save from the Anenii goalkeeper.
Kricak capped off the dominant display with Swieqi’s fifth goal, tapping in from close range to seal a memorable win for the Maltese champions.
