Hibernians defeat Birkirkara in Women's Super Cup

by Ayrton Galea - 6th September 2013

A penalty converted by the Hibernians' prolific striker four minutes from the end of the extra-time period saw Birkirkara losing the first domestic honour to Hibernians with a 2-1 score.

The 2013-2014 domestic women's season could hardly start in a better way as an entertaining final collided two of the best two teams in Malta which produced an excellent match where both sides played their heart out on the pitch.

The match had two stories as the Stripes were the better side in the first half and they deservingly ended the first forty-five minutes in the lead. However, the second half produced a different story as Hibernians showed great resilience to grab the equalizer and then they showed great determination to score the winner four minutes from time.

It was a deserved win for Hibernians as they improved drastically in the second half to continuously keep the Stripes under pressure. Their aggressive football style lead them to equalizing fifteen minutes from the end, and with every factor shifting to Paolites' side, they went on to score a penalty four minutes from time.

On the other hand, the Champions must feel guilty for letting the game slip out of their hands, after playing an excellent first-half. The Stripes also seemed to be physically tired following the commitments in the UEFA Women's Champions League. To add to the Champions woes, the Stripes had several squad problems which created a headache to Coach Mr. Johann Scicluna for his selection.

Maryrose Cardona was suspended as she was serving her fifth out of a five match suspension, while Isabelle Mazzitelli and Nina Dimech were unavailable for this match. Alishia Sultana, Gabriella Zahra, Kirstie Vella, Tara Attard and Raina Giusti were all not in the best physical condition although they all managed to make it to the eighteen-player squad.

The First Half

Having in mind the importance of the match, both teams went out for this match well-prepared and they wasted no time to settle down.

The Champions, who were shading the early openings created the first opportunity in the match. Kim Parnis fired a powerful drive from long-distance in a bid to test goalkeeper Keayone Demicoli early in the match but her shot drifted over the bar.

Moments later, Martina Cilia tried a bicycle kick but the midfielder had her effort ending wide.

The Stripes continued on the attack and they created a dangerous opportunity close to the tenth minute mark. Gabriella Zahra, who was advanced to a forward position for this match, showed great vision by producing an excellent pass towards Rachel Cuschieri on the run, but goalkeeper Demicoli went out and turned the ball into a corner kick.

Birkirkara's coach, Mr. Johann Scicluna made his first substitution on the 23rd minute. Alishia Sultana was replaced with the Women's Team latest signing, Tara Attard taking her place.

With the Champions enjoying an edge over their opponents, it was little surprise that they surged ahead on the 25th minute. Rachel Cuschieri proved her excellent skills by scoring a wonderful direct free-kick from outside the box. Her powerful drive hit hard past goalkeeper Kayone Demicoli.

This goal seemed to arrive in an excellent time for the Stripes as it filled them with confidence and they continued to play better football which earned them more scoring opportunities.

Having noticed his team playing better football, Coach Mr. Scicluna strengthened the midfield department by retreating Gabriella Zahra to her usual midfield position while advancing Kelly Agius Pace to the forward position.

Close to the half-hour mark, Rachel Cuschieri was in action once again. This time she provided a perfect through ball in direction of Kelly Agius Pace but Cuschieri's pass was too long and goalkeeper Demicoli stopped the danger.

Five minutes from half-time, the Paolites had a diagonal free-kick from the left but the Hibernians' player effort did not trouble much goalkeeper Janice Xuereb, as her direct shot hit the outside of the net.

The first half saw the Stripes deservingly in the lead as they played better football by being the most adventurous team on the field.

The Second Half

Having ended the first half without making any sort of reaction, Hibernians went out more aggressive in the second forty-five minutes.

Despite piling up the pressure, Hibernians seemed that they could not find the way through as Birkirkara's solid and concentrated rear-guard was denying the Paolites space to penetrate, although the latter were now playing better football.

Eight minutes in the second half, former Mosta FC player, Annmarie Muscat performed some fine foot-work on the left wing before cutting down inside the box, and gave a pass inside the box, but the concluding shot ended totally over the bar.

The Stripes replied on the 57th minute when Rachel Cuschieri rounded three players outside the box and served Martina Cilia but she had her shot ending wide,

Close to the hour mark, Dorianne Theuma took charge of a direct free-kick but her effort drifted over the bar.

Rachel Cuschieri almost made them two for the Stripes, thanks to another direct free-kick on the 70th minute. The National player took another excellent free-kick but this time her effort saw goalkeeper Demicoli making a great save to neutralise her attempt.

Having produced a major improvement in the second half, Hibernians grabbed the equalising goal fifteen minutes from the end. A perfect through ball found Ylenia Carabott unmarked and the prolific striker easily slotted home.

The Stripes did not throw in the towel and Coach Mr. Scicluna made his second change when he included Raina Giusti to replace Kelly Agius Pace ten minutes from the end.

Hibernians had a golden opportunity to turn the match around as a defensive blunder awarded the Paolites a one versus one situation but goalkeeper Janice Xuereb produced an excellent save to keep Birkirkara in the match.

However, both teams failed to produce any other notable action and the 90 minutes whistle sent them to the extra time period.

The Extra Time

Mr. Scicluna was forced to make another change as Gabriella Zahra had to be replaced due to injury and Charlene Schembri was introduced at the start of the extra-time period.

Having seen the Stripes struggling to keep the pace, Hibernians went out on the offensive and their aggressive style seemed to be the difference between the two sides. Five minutes from the beginning of the first half, Hibernians had another excellent opportunity but the shot scratched past the post.

Kim Parnis made a fine solo action for Birkirkara ten minutes into the extra-time period but her long distance shot did not worry goalkeeper Demicoli as her weak-shot ended wide.

The Stripes produced an excellent opportunity two minutes from the end of the first half of the extra time period. Rachel Cuschieri took charge of a free-kick but her powerful drive was turned into a corner kick thanks to a great save by the Hibernians goalkeeper.

The first half of the extra-time period saw no change in the score.

Hibernians were awarded a penalty following a hands ball inside the box by Kirstie Vella. Prolific striker, Ylenia Carabott scored her second personal goal to hand Hibernians the first honour of the season, the Super Cup as the Stripes had no time to make any sort of reaction.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Alishia Sultana (24' Tara Attard), Stephania Farrugia, Yasmeen Vella, Kirstie Vella, Rebecca Chircop, Kim Parnis, Gabriella Zahra (90' Charlene Schembri), Martina Cilia, Rachel Cuschieri, Kelly Agius Pace (80' Raina Giusti).

HIBERNIANS: Keoney Demicoli, Claire Sciberras, Charlene Abela, Martina Borg, Maria Azzopardi, Mandy Debono, Annmarie Muscat, Dorianne Theuma, Dionne Tonna, Francesca Chircop, Ylenia Carabott.

Yellow Cards: 116' Kirsite Vella.

Scorers: 25' Rachel Cuschieri (Birkirkara) 75' Ylenia Carabott, 116' Ylenia Carabott (Hibernians)

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