Assikura Women’s Super Cup Final
BIRKIRKARA……….1
SWIEQI UNITED……2
Swieqi United put in a clinical performance to win their first-ever Super Cup, defeating Birkirkara in Sunday’s final.
This victory is the Owls’ second major trophy, following their domestic cup win in 2023. It also marks a significant milestone for Dorianne Theuma, as it is her first piece of silverware as a senior team coach.
At the start, Birkirkara tried to control the game, dominating possession and trying to break down Swieqi’s defence with patient build-up play. In contrast, Swieqi relied on fast counter-attacks, using their pace and direct passes to threaten on the break.
The Owls took advantage of their counter-attacking approach early on. Salamatu Abdulai used her speed to outrun Valentina Rapa in a sprint, before calmly placing the ball past goalkeeper Maya Cachia to give Swieqi the lead.
Birkirkara nearly equalised when Gabriella Zahra’s curling shot from outside the box was saved by Swieqi’s goalkeeper Patricia Araujo. Yuna Hazekawa also had a chance, but her shot went wide.
Swieqi’s goalkeeper was crucial, making a fantastic save from a Birkirkara corner as they ramped up the pressure. Zahra then missed a golden chance, firing a close-range shot over the bar.
Just before halftime, Swieqi’s captain Shona Zammit doubled their lead. She finished off a brilliant team move, starting from the goalkeeper, by tapping in from close range.
After the break, Birkirkara pushed to get back into the game and pulled one back through Bispo shortly after the hour mark.
Luana Cabral came close to equalising with a header that narrowly missed the target. Swieqi responded with a long-range shot from Zammit, which Birkirkara’s goalkeeper Cachia saved, and moments later, Urpani’s effort also went off target.
Cachia made another important save, blocking a shot from Karima Abdulai with just seven minutes left.
In stoppage time, Birkirkara were reduced to 10 players when Charlene Zammit was sent off for a dangerous challenge. She will miss next Friday’s important league match against Hibernians due to a suspension.
After the match, Zammit was named the Assikura Women’s Super Cup Player of the Match for her excellent performance in midfield.
BIRKIRKARA
M. Cachia; G. Zahra, Y. Hazekawa, L. Cabral (84 M. Gauci), A. Cassar, A. Vassallo (55 M. Fenech) (64 L. Azzopardi, C. Zammit, C. Schechinger (84 S. Francalanza), M. Cardona, V. Rapa, E. Bispo.
SWIEQI UNITED
P. Araujo; E. Micallef (90 S. Mallia), S. Urpani, E. Xuereb, S. Abdulai, K. Abdulai, S. Zammit, Rafanny, J. Schembri, T. Falzon, M. Cachia.
Referee Ranald Portelli
