Birkirkara lose title to Hibernians with penalty shoot-out

by Ayrton Galea - 28th April 2014

Birkirkara FC Women's had to hand in their crown of Champions on Friday evening as they lost to rivals Hibernians in the Championship decider, with a 4-3 score after the penalty shoot-out, following a 2-2 draw at the end of the extra time period.

In the heavyweight contest that showcased the elite of the Women's League, Hibernians had their last laugh when they managed to emerge as winners in the penalty shoot-out. There was nothing to separate both sides as despite Hibernians being twice in the lead, Birkirkara managed to make a comeback thanks to goals by Kelly Agius Pace and Rachel Cuschieri.

Both teams had ended their league commitments with level points after eighteen matches played. For Hibernians, this was the tenth title in their history. Birkirkara remained with five titles, of which four were won in the last five years.

Birkirkara Coach, Mr Johann Scicluna fielded a balanced 4-4-2 formation. Goalkeeper Janice Xuereb defended the Birkirkara posts. Rebecca Chircop and Stephania Farrugia played in the heart of defence. Yasmeen Vella was deployed behind the midfielders, Gabriella Zahra and Kim Parnis were central midfielders while Martina Cilia roamed behind the forwards. The forward line featured the tried and trusted duo of Raina Giusti and Rachel Cuschieri.

The First Half

With so much at stake, both teams used their opening minutes to study their opponents as most of the possession was played in the midfield.

Rachel Cuschieri threatened first for Birkirkara on the tenth minute, with an excellent drive from distance, which ended just over the bar. Hibernians replied moments later with a shot from inside the box ending wide after a diagonal pass by Ylenia Carabott.

Birkirkara were showing slightly better ideas in the first thirty minutes but it was Hibernians who managed to draw first blood. The referee adjudicated that Gabriella Zahra handled the ball outside the box and ordered the free-kick. Dorienne Theuma stepped-up and took a brilliant free-kick that put Hibernians ahead.

The Paolites' joy was short-lived as it took Birkirkara just 120 seconds to equalise. From a short-clearance, Kelly Agius Pace hit a thunderous strike that smashed against the crossbar and went in to level matters for the Stripes.

With the score equal once again, both teams settled down and the balanced contest resumed. The teams were unable to create any scoring chances and Birkirkara and Hibernians headed to their dressing rooms with a draw of 1-1.

The Second Half

Hibernians opened the second forty-five minutes better and they regained the lead ten minutes into the second half. Dorienne Theuma took another brilliant free-kick that bounced before the helpless goalkeeper Xuereb, to and put Hibernians back in the lead.

However, Birkirkara hit back once again ten minutes later. It was a moment of magic from Rachel Cuschieri who hit a splendid strike from outside the box that hit hard past goalkeeper Demicoli.

With the score level once again, Birkirkara were now showing better ideas and fifteen minutes from the end, the Stripes almost turned the match around when Raina Giusti sprinted inside the box to reach a fine through-ball but she hit wide by inches from inside the box.

The Stripes had another dangerous opportunity five minutes from the end when Rachel Cuschieri had a dangerous free-kick, that panicked the Hibernians rear-guard but goalkeeper Demicoli managed to neutralise the effort.

The match went into the extra time as the score after the ninety minutes was still reading two goals for each side.

The Extra Time

Both teams opted to make sure not to concede a goal rather than risk to score. Both sides were tired, but also determined not to give an inch.

The thirty-minutes of extra time period was not enough and penalty shoot-out had to decide the winner with Hibernians winning the contest with 4-3 score.

Penalty Shoot-Out

Birkirkara – Scored: Rachel Cuschieri, Stephania Farrugia, Kelly Agius Pace. Missed: Kim Parnis, Rebecca Chircop, Raina Giusti.

Hibernians – Scored: Dorianne Theuma, Charlene Zammit, Ylenia Carabott, Sherianne Zammit. Missed: Martina Borg, Ruth Steer Chetam.

Birkirkara: Janice xuereb, Rebecca chircop, Alishia Sultana (60' Maryrose Cardona) (120' Chantal Fenech), kelly Agius Pace, Yasmeen Vella (120' Tara Attard), Stefania Farrugia, Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis, Rachel Cuschieri, Raina Giusti, Martina Cilia.

Hibernians: Keoney Demicoli, Mandy Debono, Claire Sciberras, Charlene Zammit, Martina Borg, Dorianne Theuma, Francesca Chircop (75' Corissa Vella), Dionne Tonna, Ylenia Carabott, Sherianne Zammit, Annmarie Muscat (35' Ruth Steer Chetham).

Scorers: 31' Kelly Agius Pace, 65' Rachel Cuschieri (Birkirkara), 30' Dorianne Theuma, 55' Dorianne Theuma (Hibernians).

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