SPARTAK MYJAVA 2-1 SWIEQI UNITED
Kramlikova 44, Bogorova 101 (Spartak); Saliba 37 (Swieqi).
SPARTAK MYJAVA
V. Opalkova; M. Pirtanova (78 S. Krsiakova), M. Dimitrijevic, Z. Narozna, N. Matusicova, E. Dvoravkova, I. Nevedalova (83. B. Martholtova), T. Kramlikova, R. Jacenkova (67 S. Korvasova), A. Bogorova, K. Vredikova.
SWIEQI UNITED
P. Araujo; E. Xuereb, T. Falzon, V. Rapa, J. Schembri, S. Zammit, M. Cachia, A. Kricak, S. Abdulai, S. Saliba, A. Yaneva.
Referee: Sofiya Prychyna (Ukraine FA).
Yellow cards: Matusicova, Saliba, Falzon, Kricak.
Swieqi United’s run in this season’s women’s Champions League came to an end last night after suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Spartak Myjava, in the mini-tournament final in Slovakia.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Malta champions, who put on a battling display against their more-quoted opponents and, for long stretches in the match, looked on equal par with their opponents.
Dorianne Theuma’s girls were aggressive and could have won it late on but the excellent Sara Saliba saw her shot well saved by the Myjava goalkeeper.
However, in extra time, the Slovakian side’s superior experience in these matches came to the fore as they took the lead and then managed their slim advantage carefully to seal their passage into the next round.
Coach Theuma made one enforced change from the semi-final, as Venezuelan defender Rafanny was ruled out due to injury. She was replaced by Jade Schembri in the starting lineup.
Shona Zammit captained the team, while Salamatu Abdulai, Sara Saliba, and Aleksandra Yaneva retained their places in the attacking line.
The opening stages of the match were cagey, with both sides showing caution and little separating them early on. Spartak had the first opportunity when Tamara Kramlikova tried her luck, but her effort failed to trouble the target.
Swieqi responded through Sara Saliba, whose shot from the edge of the box was deflected into a corner. Spartak’s main attacking threat, Andrea Bogorova, nearly broke the deadlock when she met a cross from the left, narrowly missing Swieqi’s goal.
The Owls then carved out a golden opportunity when Aleksandra Yaneva led a swift transition and teed up Andela Kricak, whose close-range shot was well blocked by the Spartak goalkeeper.
Bogorova remained dangerous, forcing Patricia Araujo into a save with a powerful header that was turned behind for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, Kramlikova rose highest but sent her header over the bar.
Swieqi eventually took the lead when Saliba capitalized on goal-scoring opportunity inside the six-yard box, firing home to give her side the advantage.
Spartak sought an immediate response. Iveta Nevadelova twice tried her luck from distance, with both efforts missing the target. However, they found an equalizer just before half-time, as Kramlikova headed home from a corner past the onrushing Araujo to bring the sides level at the break.
After the break, both sides created promising chances as Spartak and Swieqi grew increasingly aware of the stakes in the second half.
Nina Matusicova tried her luck from long range, but her powerful strike was well saved by Araujo, with the hosts beginning to apply sustained pressure on the Maltese side. Shortly after, Radoslava Jacenkova embarked on a solo run, only to be denied once again by Swieqi’s in-form goalkeeper.
Eliska Dvorakova also attempted to break the deadlock with a long-range effort, though her shot sailed over the bar as Spartak continued to chase the opener.
Swieqi responded with a chance of their own when Saliba’s shot was deflected for a corner. Spartak quickly regained the initiative, with Bogorova curling an effort just wide of the Swieqi goal as the hosts maintained their offensive push.
In stoppage time, Araujo pulled a wonderful save to deny Spartak from a dead ball situation and keep Swieqi alive.
In extra-time, Swieqi started to push more forward and Aleksandra Yaneva stole a fine ball on the right before surging into the area, but her effort flew over.
However, it was Spartak Myava who struck the winner on 101 minutes when Andrea Bogorova latched onto a throughball and slotted the ball past Araujo.
