Women's Team book a place in Final

by Ayrton Galea - 13th May 2014

A goal in each half by Gabriella Zahra and Raina Giusti handed Birkirkara a 2-0 victory over Mgarr United in one of the Knockout Semi-Final's played on Monday evening. Birkirkara booked their place in the final and they will now be facing Hibernians next Friday.

Just two weeks after handing in their Champions crown, a wounded Birkirkara managed to lift morale by giving a fine display of football.

It was a balanced match and although Birkirkara enjoyed an edge over their opponents, Mgarr never threw in the towel and they kept fighting till the end. However, their efforts were not enough as the referee's full time whistle found Birkirkara booking their place into next Friday's final against Hibernians.

With Birkirkara's Coach, Mr. Johann Scicluna suspended, Mr. John Micallef took his place on the bench.

The first eleven featured two changes as Alishia Sultana and Kelly Agius Pace were replaced by Tara Attard and Maryrose Cardona. Birkirkara fielded an offensive 3-4-3 formation.

The First Half

Birkirkara threatened first in the match. On the fourth minute, Rachel Cuschieri collected a fine ball and anticipated goalkeeper Stephanie Cremona. Cuschieri served Martina Cilia but her shot was saved by the Mgarr goalkeeper.

Mgarr did not hold back and they made a reaction just four minutes later. Goalkeeper Janice Xuereb blocked a fine shot from inside the box and, and she made another save on an attempt from the rebound.

Rachel Cuschieri had a free-kick from outside the box blocked by the defender on the twentieth minute, with Birkirkara claiming a penalty for a hands ball inside the box, but the referee saw nothing amiss.

Birkirkara surged ahead on the twenty-fourth minute. A corner kick by Rachel Cuschieri failed to be cleared by the Mgarr's defence, and Gabriella Zahra made the best out of the situation by hitting home from close range.

The Stripes almost doubled their lead a minute later. Raina Giusti made an excellent run down the right wing before setting up a fine cross in the direction of Rachel Cuschieri, who hit wide by mere inches from close range.

The match remained tight and lacking from goal scoring opportunities.

Two minutes from half-time, Birkirkara almost doubled their lead when Raina Giusti picked a fine through-ball and raced forward, but her attempt scratched past the far post.

The first half saw Birkirkara heading to their dressing rooms with a one goal lead.

The Second Half

Mr. John Micallef made a double substitution at the start of the second half as Alishia Sultana and Kelly Agius Pace replaced Tara Attard and Maryrose Cardona.

This double substitution led to some tactical changes as Birkirkara changed their formation to a 4-1-2-1-2 formation with Cuschieri and Giusti being the central strikers, with Cilia roaming behind the Birkirkara forwards.

Birkirkara could have made them two three minutes inside the second half, when Gabriella Zahra raced forward and had a low shot turned into a corner by the Mgarr goalkeeper.

The Stripes made them two on the fifty-fourth minute thanks to the persistent pressing of the Birkirkara players. Raina Giusti blocked a clearance from inside the box with the ball surprising the Mgarr goalkeeper and ending into the net.

Raina Giusti was in action once again just before the hour mark, when Cuschieri served her with a fine pass, but her shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

Moments later, Birkirkara were denied from the third goal thanks to a brilliant save off Cuschieri's brilliant drive from distance.

Giusti and Cuschieri seemed to be unstoppable up front, and they combined brilliantly once again on the sixty-third minute. Giusti supplied an excellent through-ball in the direction of Cuschieri, who raced forward and had her fine shot scratching past the upright.

Mgarr tried to narrow the margin fifteen minutes from time when Rebecca D'Agostino made a powerful run from the back and she concluded her solo action with a shot from distance which ended wide.

Rachel Cuschieri replied for Birkirkara's on the seventy seventh minute. After being served by Martina Cilia, Cuschieri had a long drive ending over.

In Birkirkara's third substitution on the seventy-eight minute, tireless midfielder Martina Cilia was replaced by Kirstie Vella. The latter took Alishia Sultana's role on the wing while Sultana shifted to a central midfielder.

Cuschieri had another fine attempt on target on the eighty-second minute. She made a powerful run and concluded with a fine low strike which was neutralised by goalkeeper Cremona.

Gabriella Zahra was replaced by Chantal Fenech in Birkirkara's fourth change three minutes from time.

Birkirkara continued to control their two goal lead, till the final whistle that saw them advancing to the final of the knockout competition.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Yasmeen Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Tara Attard (45' Alishia Sultana), Maryrose Cardona (45' Kelly Agius Pace), Rebecca Chircop, Gabriella Zahra (87' Chantal Fenech), Kim Parnis, Martina Cilia (78' Kirstie Vella), Rachel Cuschieri, Raina Giusti.

Yellow Cards: 84' Stephania Farrugia.

Scorers: 24' Gabriella Zahra, 54' Raina Giusti.

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