Mosta defeat Birkirkara with penalties

by Ayrton Galea - 9th May 2012

In the much awaited match of the Women's Knock-out final, Birkirkara were defeated 4-2 in the penalty shoot out after the score remained 1-1 even after the extra time period.

This defeat was the first one after twenty matches which includes all the eighteen games of the league and another two in the knock out competition, and without any doubt this loss cannot cancel the success that the determined squad made throughout the league campaign.

Both sets of supporters created a good atmosphere with the Birkirkara supporters led by the usual Birkirkara Ultras being more vocal and colorful.

The match was rather balanced with both teams having their moments, and the result of a draw was a deserved one. However a winner had to be decided, and Mosta emerged as winners after the penalty shoot-out.

The First Half

In the first half, most of the possession was played in the middle of the field as the match turned into a very balanced encounter, with Birkirkara scoring in their first dangerous chance.

After Mosta started as the better side, Birkirkara took the lead on the 9th minute, when Kelly Agius Pace made a fine solo action, serving Isabelle Mazzitelli whose powerful shot beat the goalkeeper.

Goalkeeper Janice Xuereb made a great save on a direct freekick on the 14th minute, and off the rebound a fine shot ended over the bar by inches.

A header for Mosta following a corner from the right ended wide on the 23rd minute.

A direct long distance free-kick by Rachel Cuschieri was saved by goalkeeper Costantino on the 29th minute.

A free-kick from a dangerous position by Rebecca D'Agostino for Mosta on the 36th minute ended wide,

A solo run by Rachel Cuschieri was concluded with a shot which ended wide after having been served by Chantal Fenech on the 39th minute,

The first half ended with Birkirkara having a narrow 1-0 lead.

The Second Half

In the first action of the second half, Mosta equalised on the 51st minute when off a corner from the right, unmarked Rebecca D'Agostino headed home.

A shot by Dorcas Debono on the 58th minute was easily saved by the goalkeeper.

Rachel Cuschieri tried her luck with a long distance shot which was saved by the goalkeeper on the 63rd minute.

A long distance shot for Mosta ended wide on the 69th minute.

A header by Kelly Agius Pace inside the box was saved by the goalkeeper on the 73rd min.

Kelly Agius Pace almost put Birkirkara in the lead when on the 78th minute she had a very dangerous shot ending over by inches.

Mosta were unlucky not to put the ball in their net when following a desperate tackle by the defender ended wide by inches in the 83rd minute.

With both sides failing to find the net, extra time had to follow.

The Extra Time

Both teams did not gave any opportunities to their opponents and although Birkirkara created the best chances, both defences were solid and concentrated which made it difficult to penetrate.

In the first action, Rachel Cuschieri tried a very cute lob which ended over the bar on the 6th minute to be the only action in the first half of the extra time.

One minute in the second half, a diagonal shot by Rachel Cuschieri ended wide on the 16th minute.

With the score still level, penalty kicks had to decide the winner.

After Mosta scored the first two penalties, Chantal Fenech converted the first one for Birkirkara but in the second penalty, Stephania Farrugia's effort was saved by the goalkeeper. The third round was converted by both teams while the fourth round saw Mosta scoring while for Birkirkara, Gabriella Zahra had her effort ending wide with Mosta declared the winners.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Yasmeen Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Maryrose Cardona, Isabelle Mazzitelli, Martina Cilia, Gabriella Zahra, Chantal Fenech, Rachel Cuschieri, Raina Giusti, Kelly Agius Pace.

Mosta: Sharon Costantino, Rebecca D'Agostino, Rebecca Chircop, Karen Lia, Orianna Bodingfield, Yanika Fenech, Melissa Galea, Emma Xuereb, Rachel Nolan, Natasha Pace, Charlene Cassia.

Scorers: 9' Isabelle Mazzitelli (Birkirkara), 51' Rebecca D'Agostino (Mosta)

Yellow Cards; Isabelle Mazzitelli, Rachel Cuschieri, Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara)

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