Dramatic goal secures the title for the Stripes

by Ayrton Galea - 8th May 2013

The Birkirkara Women's Team are on cloud number nine after yesterday evening a dramatic goal by Isabelle Mazzitelli three minutes on time handed the Stripes a narrow victory over Mosta which enabled them to win their second consecutive championship of the BOV First Division league.

They say that luck favours the brave, but football does not rely solely on luck. Football requires skill and character and surely that the Stripes had these two ingredients in yesterday's match as in a balanced and cagey match. Everyone thought that the match would end in a goal-less draw, but Birkirkara kept strong and kept fighting and giving their utmost effort to be rewarded with a dramatic goal by Isabelle Mazzitelli.

Thrust in a last-day showdown with title rivals Mosta, the reigning Champions Birkirkara captured their fifth title in seven years with a strong-character performance rounded off with a late strike.

Following the controversial decision over the three suspended players, many thought that the Birkirkara young players would buckle under the pressure but they showed excellent composure, tactical discipline and, above all, resolute defending to repel everything that Mosta threw their way.

It was a collective effort from all the players who managed to reach the top of Women's football once again.

Starting from the back, goalkeeper Janice Xuereb had one of the best games this season as the promising goalkeeper was concentrated and gave a huge morale boost to her rear-guard with her fine saves which at some times, they were also crucial and decisive.

Having a player of the class of Stephania Farrugia missing from the back is always a draw-back, but Kim Parnis who took her place along with the other two defenders Yasmeen Vella and Kirstie Vella could not resist Mosta's pressure in a better way. The strong rear-guard proved to be essential to deny Mosta to score any goals as they were hardly ever penetrated.

They say that most of the matches are won and lost in the midfield, and surely that this department, composed of no less than five players, showed no signs of losing the midfield battle. Gabriella Zahra on the defending side, and Rachel Cuschieri on the attacking side of the midfield, the Stripes were compact and showed a great supporting range. Alishia Sultana, Charlene Schembri and Isabelle Mazzitelli were also vital in the midfield department.

The Birkirkara forwards were kept at bay most of the time, but Kelly Groves and Simone Buttigieg sure piled up the pressure on the Mosta rearguard, sometimes left with only the option to kick the ball into safety.

Substitute Raina Giusti also played an excellent game as the promising player proved her skills by showing great resilience not to give up while the other substitute Alexia Scicluna who was included in the last moments of the match also did her part well.

The Birkirkara supporters turned out in numbers for this match, as streamers and flags helped to colour their side, with the Birkirkara Ultras continually giving their vocal support.

The First Half

The opening stages of the match were balanced despite Mosta coming out slightly more aggressive. However, Birkirkara showed resilience not to be dominated and after they found their feet, they began to play better football to enjoy a slight edge over their opponents.

Having in mind that the Stripes had key players missing, they come out confident and searching for an early opener. Inside the first match of the match, the Blues went near with a powerful shot inside the box, which was blocked in an excellent way by Janice Xuereb, with the ball ending in a corner kick.

Mosta continued to enjoy possession inside the first minutes as they threatened to surge ahead, but the Stripes quickly settled down as they showed great resilience not to be edged out inside the opening minutes.

On the eight minute, Rachel Cuschieri performed a good run in Mosta's half pitch before playing a fine through-pass in direction of Kelly Groves but goalkeeper Sharon Costantino anticipated in time.

Mosta went near on the ten minutes when they had a dangerous corner kick from the right which however failed to be hit by anyone and ended in a goal kick. Birkirkara's set-piece reply hardly a minute later saw Rachel sending a fine diagonal freekick which also failed to be hit.

Close to the 15th minute mark, Gabriella Zahra performed an excellent solo-run and rounded two players before concluding her effort with a fine shot from outside the box which was parried by Costantino.

Costantino was tested once again three minutes later, when Rachel Cuschieri tried her luck with a shot-on-goal from long distance but the Mosta's goalkeeper saved without any particular difficulty.

On the 21st minute, Birkirkara went close as the Stripes created the best scoring opportunity of the match so far. Rachel Cuschieri performed a great run before cutting inside the box trying her attempt with a powerful low-shot which was turned into a corner kick.

From the resulting corner kick played by Cuschieri, the National midfielder's cross created a chaos inside the box but from the resulting header by the Birkirkara players, Costantino saved well to deny the Stripes from surging ahead.

Mosta tried to maintain Birkirkara's pressure as now the Stripes were playing better football with much of their attacks based of the National midfielder, Cuschieri.

On the 25 minutes, Mosta had a direct free-kick effort by Dorianne Theuma but her central strike did not worry Janice Xuereb who parried her effort without any difficulty.

Having convinced their Coach that despite three players missing, the Stripes are not inferior in any way to their opponents, Mr. Scicluna introduced offensive player Raina Giusti ten minutes from the end of the first half to replace Charlene Schembri.

Rachel Nolan, for Mosta made a fine run on the 39th minute which was concluded with a deflected shot which ended into a corner kick.

Three minutes from the end of the first half, Rachel Cuschieri had a dangerous shot which goalkeeper Costantino had to save in two attempts. Mosta replied with a dangerous shot which ended over the bar just few moments later.

The first half ended with the Stripes showing a great character, enjoying an edge over their opponents despite half-time score was reading 0-0.

The Second Half

Birkirkara opened the second half in an excellent way, as a long-range direct freekick by Rachel Cuschieri gave the illusion of goal for the Birkirkara supporters but the vicious effort had ended just over the bar.

On the 48th minute, Mosta also were close to surge ahead with a powerful shot on goal which scratched past Xuereb's right post.

Five minutes in the second half, Janice Xuereb received a knock following a cross but after some medication, the promising goalkeeper was able to continue playing, with the Birkirkara clan taking a deep breathe for not losing another important player for this match.

Following a series of corners for Mosta, twenty minutes in the second half, Birkirkara made a fast break-away thanks to Rachel Cuschieri whose shot was turned into a corner kick.

On the 67th minute, Mosta had a freekick from a dangerous position but Dorianne Theuma's effort ended over.

In the second substitution for the Stripes, eight minutes from time, Kirstie Vella had to be replaced after sustaining an injury, with her place being filled by Alexia Scicluna.

On the 86th minute, Mosta had a dangerous freekick well parried by Xuereb.

When the match was practically over, Birkirkara did what no one thought that they would do. Having shown a strong-character throughout the whole season, the Stripes were awarded for their attitude.

On the 93rd minute, Kim Parnis took an excellent freekick. Isabelle Mazzitelli made a perfect run following the ball before founding herself alone in front of goalkeeper Costantino. Mazzitelli remained cool to deflect the ball and beat the goalkeeper for a dramatic goal.

The Birkirkara clan erupted with joy. Players literally crying with joy, the technical-staff jumping with joy and the numerous supporters erupted in joy.

With no time left for Mosta to make any sort of reaction, the referee's full-time whistle found Birkirkara being crowned champions for the second time. The full-time whistle also meant to kick off the Stripes' partying mode who celebrated this victory in the best possible way.

Rachel Cuschieri, the Birkirkara FC captain for this match, was presented the much-deserved league cup.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Yasmeen Vella, Kirstie Vella, Kim Parnis, Gabriella Zahra, Alishia Sultana, Rachel Cuschieri, Charlene Schembri, Kelly Groves, Simone Buttigieg, Isabelle Mazzitelli.

MOSTA: Sharon Costantino, Oriana Bedingfield, Nicole Buttigieg, Rebecca D'Agostino, Jade Flask, Karen Lia, Annemarie Muscat, Rachel Nolan, Natasha Pace, Dorianne Thuema, Shona Zammit.

Yellow Cards: 76' Rachel Cuschieri, 90' Yasmeen Vella.

Scorers: 93' Isabelle Mazzitelli.

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