Birkirkara win the knockout to complete the double

by Ayrton Galea - 31st May 2013

Birkirkara Women's team ended their 2012-2013 commitments in a brilliant fashion as they completed their bid to win the double on Wednesday evening. In a match that brought out the best from the top sides of Women's football, the present Champions defeated Mosta with a 5-3 score after the penalty shoot-out in the knockout final.

Just a few hours before the match, in an interview with this website, the Coach Johann Scicluna made it clear that the match should serve to prove his team's potential, a team that is worth to be called champion.

His players surely proved that they are worthy champions. Having faced difficult hurdles in the match including suffering an early goal, the strong character and never give up attitude once again earned them an honour.

Having started the match on a fine note, the Stripes took a slight edge over their opponents, but when Mosta took the lead, things began to complicate themselves as the match turned out to be an uphill struggle for the Champions.

When things were not going their way, the squad made an extra effort to overcome the challenge, and the Stripes equalised twenty minutes from the end, forcing the extra-time and then emerged as winners after the penalty shoot-out.

Motivation from both sides was not lacking. It was a balanced encounter where the Blues enjoyed an edge in the first half, while the second half was shaded by the Stripes. There was nothing to separate the teams in the 120 minutes, with the penalty shoot-out left to declare the winner of the second most prestigious competition in women's football.

One should also praise the numerous supporters by both sides as they created a festive atmosphere and they gave their utmost support to their players.

The Birkirkara supporters, led by the usual Birkirkara Ultras, never stopped giving their vocal support besides colouring their side by putting up banners and displaying their flags.

Mr. Johann Scicluna, the master of rotating formations once again made a number of changes for this match.

Goalkeeper Janice Xuereb retained her position between the posts. Gabriella Zahra and Alishia Sultana, who both were not in the best condition for the last match made it on time for this match and they were given a starting eleven role. Raina Giusti was omitted from the first eleven as she was replaced by Rachel Cuschieri who also made it on time for the big match.

The First Half

With both sides having in mind the importance of these match, the opening stages were balanced as both teams used the first minutes to study their opponents.

Birkirkara created the first opportunity on the fourth minute when Rachel Cuschieri had a first-timer shot ending wide, without worrying goalkeeper Costantino.

Mosta were quick to reply as they refused to give in to Birkirkara's early pressure. On the 11th minute, Janice Xuereb made a fine interception following a cross from the left.

Despite Birkirkara showing signs of superiority, it was Mosta who surged ahead on the 17th minute. Following a cross from the right, unmarked Dorianne Theuma's powerful strike beat Janice Xuereb to put the Blues in an early lead.

Dorianne Theuma's opening goal seemed to surprise the Stripes but the latter did not give up.

Just two minutes later, the Stripes almost notched an equaliser. Birkirkara won a freekick in an ideal position from outside the box. Rachel Cuschieri's well-taken effort ended just over the bar.

Having a goal in hand, Mosta began to play more cautious football as they were now much more concentrated at the back and kept the Birkirkara forwards at bay.

Past the half-hour mark, Birkirkara were still struggling to penetrate. Johann Scicluna utilised his first substitution, and Charlene Schembri was replaced by youngster Raina Giusti who took an offensive midfield role to support Rachel Cuschieri in the midfield and to give more strength the Birkirkara's offensive department.

Mosta continue to close all possible gaps as the Stripes were playing direct football, however the experienced Mosta defenders were keeping strong.

Just before the half-time whistle, Raina Giusti rounded a player before serving Kelly Agius Pace on the run, but the Giusti's pass was too long to reach and the Blues' goalkeeper easily picked the ball.

The first half saw Dorianne Theuma's making all the difference till the first forty-five minutes as the Blues were enjoying a solitary goal lead.

The Second Half

Scicluna's inspirational speech and the fact that the Stripes knew that they have only forty five minutes to save their skins, Birkirkara went on a more aggressive style for the second half.

Thanks to continuous pressure, which earned them an edge in possession, the Stripes were now playing lively football but Mosta stood strong and they were still defending with precision and maximum concentration.

Five minutes in the second half, Birkirkara were awarded another freekick outside the box in an ideal position. Kim Parnis took charge of the freekick but her powerful effort ended over the bar.

Raina Giusti performed a brilliant move on the 55 minutes by lobbing the ball over two players at the edge of the box but her volley-shot was saved with difficulty by goalkeeper Costantino.

Twenty minutes in the second half, Mr. Scicluna performed his second substitution to give another boost to his offensive department. Forward Simone Buttigieg replaced hard-worker Alishia Sultana with Buttigieg taking the striker role with Kelly Agius Pace.

Tthe Stripes' strong character was shown once again as they scored the much awaited equalising goal.

Seventeen minutes from the end, Birkirkara were awarded a diagonal freekick from the left. Rachel Cuschieri delivered a brilliant second-post cross in the direction of Stephania Farrugia whose powerful header hit past goalkeeper Costantino to the joy of the numerous Birkirkara supporters.

Finally, the Stripes were now on level term in the score-line and they could settle down.

However, with little time remaining, both teams failed to make any sort of reaction and the 90th minute whistle was not enough to declare the winner.

The Extra Time

With Yasmeen Vella struggling to continue playing, Mr. Johann Scicluna had no option than to replace the solid defender, and he included Kelly Groves with the youngster taking a different role from usual and playing in defense.

Physically tired after 90 minutes of high-level football, both teams opted to defend what they had rather than going all out for a winning goal.

However, Birkirkara came out sharper and just after three minutes they could have surged ahead. Kelly Agius Pace penetrated well to drift inside the box but her final diagonal shot ended over.

Mosta almost scored the winner on the 119th minute. Following a fine corner kick which was met by a powerful header, Janice Xuereb deflected the ball. Simone Buttigieg saved the Stripes as she cleared the ball off the goal-line into safety.

Moments before the referee could whistle the end of the extra time, Mr. Scicluna made the third substitution as he included forward Sacha Camilleri instead of Isabelle Mazzitelli.

The Penalty Shoot-Out

Tension could not go higher at the Centenary Stadium and the penalty shoot out was about to begin. The Birkirkara supporters used the precious moments to give their final vocal support to their beloved players.

The coin toss saw Mosta kicking-off the penalty shoot-out.

Dorianne Theuma, the experienced Blues' player kept calm to hit home with a powerful drive.

Birkirkara's first penalty kick was taken by Rachel Cuschieri. The National midfielder kept her calm and easily placed the ball at the back of the net to equalise.

Janice Xuereb's hard work throughout the whole season paid off as she saved the Blues' second attempt.

Birkirkara's confidence was boosted, but so was pressure. Kim Parnis fired a powerful shot to hit hard past the goalkeeper Constantino who never stood a chance.

Janice Xuereb showed her true potential by saving Mosta's third penalty with a brilliant save to put Birkirkara in a comfortable position.

Stephania Farrugia who earned the Stripes the equalising goal completed her brilliant day with a perfect penalty to send the Stripes just one goal away from glory.

Jade Flask, for Mosta, kept the Blues dreams flickering as her penalty beat Xuereb.

The Stripes' fourth and decisive penalty was next. Kelly Agius Pace hit hard past goalkeeper Costantino to give Birkirkara victory. The Stripes were declared the winners of the knockout, and of the double.

After the spontaneous Birkirkara celebrations on the pitch, Rachel Cuschieri was presented with the knockout cup, to lift a second cup in just a matter of three weeks.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Kirsty Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Yasmeen Vella (90' Kelly Groves), Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis, Alishia Sultana, Isabelle Mazzitelli (119' Sacha Camilleri), Charlene Schembri, Rachel Cuschieri, Kelly Agius Pace.

Scorers: 17' Dorianne Theuma (Mosta), 73' Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara).

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