Stripes suffer heavy defeat in first match of the UWCL

by Ayrton Galea - 8th August 2013

Birkirkara opened their UEFA Women's Champions League commitments with a heavy-defeat as in their first match in group 8 of the qualifying round, Twente defeated the Stripes with a score of 6-0.

The score speaks for itself, as it was a one-sided match with no story besides the continuous attacks by the Dutch side who proved too superior for the Stripes.

Despite the heavy-score, one should give credit to the Stripes for their performance in the first half as despite being edged out by their opponents, they still managed to end the first-half with just a goal down. However, the second half was a total different story as three goals in the space of just eight minutes turned the match into a heavy defeat for the Stripes, before Twente added another two late goals.

This was the first UEFA Women's Champions League experience for Raina Giusti and Alishia Sultana as they were unable to participate in last year's edition, since they were still under sixteen years of age.

The First Half

Playing in their own stadium, and knowing that an early goal could be the perfect launch, Twente went out with all guns blazing and they managed to surge ahead in their first scoring opportunity.

Just one minute twenty seconds into the match, Twente surged ahead as Van De Sanden found space in the Birkirkara's box to unleash a perfect shot which beat goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.

Having suffered an early goal, The Stripes tried to re-settle as soon as possible, as Twente left no choice as they kept pushing forward.

However, just before the seventh minute mark, Twente suffered a slight draw-back as Jansen Ellen had to be replaced due to suffering an injury and was replaced by Vera Berembds.

Twente were being dangerous in their corners as they had a series of corners, however, the Stripes' rear-guard managed to clear into safety.

Despite suffering from possession, and continually under attack, the Stripes were defending quite well, as Twente hardly had any scoring opportunities in the first twenty minutes.

On the 20th minute, Janice Xuereb made an easy save by neutralising a low-shot attempt following a series of passes.

Another series of three corners for Twente between the 21 and 24 minutes put the Stripes under continuous pressure as Twente continued to search for more goals. However the Stripes managed to clear all three corner kicks into safety.

Twente were increasing their efforts, as they were all out on the attack and hardly let the Stripes to get out of their own half-pitch.

Just before the half-hour mark, Johanne Heuver's went close with a fine effort on goal but her strike ended wide. Hardly a minute later, Twente had another scoring opportunity as Marieke Dekker tried her luck but her effort also ended wide.

Then, just a few moments later, it was Jill Roord who made a bid to double the score but there was no different outcome from the previous opportunities as her shot missed the target.

On the 33rd minute, the Netherlands' side was once again on the attack and Marieke Dekker had another attempt on goal but her shot ended wide.

Two minutes later, it was goalkeeper Xuereb who denied Twente from scoring their second goal as she neutralised Van De Sanden's strike by turning into a corner.

Just four minutes before half-time, in Twente's last scoring opportunity for the first half, Siri Worm was unlucky not to double the lead as her fine strike scratched past the post.

The first half ended with Twente outclassing the Stripes despite the narrow lead but the latter were doing their utmost effort, especially in the rear-guard in order to keep the dangerous Twente strikers at bay.

The Second Half

The second half's opening stages was no different from the previous half, as Twente went all-out searching for an early goal.

Just two minutes in the second half, Johanne Heuver unleashed a wonderful shot which brought the best out of the skills of Janice Xuereb who made an outstanding save.

Heuver was in action once again on the 50th minute, as she took charge of a free-kick following a foul by Kim Parnis on Lisa Bosveld. Johanne Heuver's attempt ended wide.

Janice Xuereb was the protagonist once again on the 54 minutes in keeping the Stripes in a narrow disadvantage as she denied substitute Vera Berends from doubling the score for Twente, following a one-versus-one scoring opportunity.

The Stripes had their first scoring opportunity of the match close to the one-hour mark when Rachel Cuschieri tried her luck with an effort on goal but her shot missed the target.

Women's Coach, Mr. Johann Scicluna utilised his first substitution of the match as Alishia Sultana was replaced with Simone Buttigieg on the hour mark.

However, Simone's inclusion did not have much time to leave its effect on the match, as just one minute later, Twente doubled the score. On the 61 minutes, Van De Sanden served Marieke Dekker whose fine strike from inside the box managed to beat Xuereb.

This goal unsettled the Stripes as they seemed to lose their tactical position play as Twente almost made them three just two minutes later, when Kirsten Bakker was denied by the woodwork.

However, the element of luck, or the lack of it in Bakker's scoring opportunity did not deny Twente for too long as on the 66th minute, they made them three. Johanne Heuver fierce shot from distance gave no chance to Janice and she was beaten.

The Stripes' woes increased two minutes later, as three became four. It was another powerful shot, this time by Jill Roord who beat Janice Xuereb after being served by Heuver.

In the Stripes' second substitution of the match, Isabelle Mazzitelli was replaced by Raina Giusti on the 69th minute.

Despite four goals advantage, Twente continued ptessing and being thirsty for more goals. On the 71st minute, scorer of the fourth goal, Jill Roord had a shot on target saved by goalkeeper Xuereb.

Two minutes later, Rood was in action again as this time the sixteen year old player had a shot blocked. Just seconds later, the same sort of luck saw Vera Berends also having her shot blocked by the defence.

Mr. Scicluna utilised the Stripes' third and final substitution on the 78th minute as Charlene Schembri was included by replacing Maryrose Cardona.

Twente increased their lead on the 82 minutes as the Netherlands' side made them five. It was Jill Roord who had an excellent second half which scored Twente's fifth goal with a wonderful lob.

Just before the full-time whistle, Twente sealed the issue with the sixth and last goal of the day as Vera Beremds' effort beat Janice Xuereb, after three attempts in quick successiin which were all saved by Janice.

The full-time whistle found the Stripes beginning their UEFA Women's Champions League commitments with a heavy defeat, with many lessons learned for the upcoming two matches.

Birkirkara will be involved in their second match of the competition this Saturday, when they will face Scottish side Glasgow City FC.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Isabelle Mazzitelli (69' Raina Giusti), Kelly Agius Pace, Yasmeen Vella, Kirstie Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Kim Parnis, Gabriella Zahra, Alishia Sultana (60' Simone Buttigieg), Maryrose Cardona (78' Charlene Schembri), Rachel Cuschieri.

TWENTE: Verle Willekens, Suzanne Marees, Kirsten Bakker, Siri Worm (64' Larissa Wigger), Marthe Muwsterman, Van De Sandem, Marrieke Dekker, Johanne Heuever (72' Judith Westervelt), Jill Rood, Ellen Jansen (7' Vera Beremds), Lisa Bosveld.

Yellow Cards: 80' Kim Parnis (Birkirkara)

Scorers: 2' Van De Sanden, 61' Marrieke Dekker, 66' Johanne Heuver, 68' Jill Roord, 82' Jill Roord, 93' Vera Beremds.

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