Girls Under-16's cruise to Semi Final

by Ayrton Galea - 14th April 2014

Birkirkara Girls Under-16's advanced to the semi final of the Under-16's Knockout when on Sunday morning, a goal by Alishia Sultana and a brace by Raina Giusti handled the Stripes a 3-1 victory.

Following the last league match between these two sides, where ironically Birkirkara also won that match with a 3-1 score, this match had more importance as both teams went out to make a statement of their true qualities following the last league match.

Kirkop could have surged ahead after just one minute when Giulia Micallef was adjudicated that had tripped the opposition player inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. However, from the spot, the Kirkop player smashed her effort against the upright.

The opening minutes were shaded by Kirkop, and the Birkirkara Coach Mr. Johann Scicluna made two substitutions in space of just five minutes as he sought to improve his team's performance. On the twelfth minute, Naomi Mizzi came off Giuilia Micallef while five minutes later, Michela Felice replaced Alexia Galea.

These changes seem that had transformed Birkirkara as they surged ahead three minutes from the end of the first half. Alishia Sultana managed to break the dead-lock off a direct corner kick, following a slight deflection.

Birkirkara went out strong in the second half and they managed to double the lead just after eight minutes. Alishia Sultana was floored inside the box by goalkeeper Yasmine Farrugia and the referee ordered the penalty. From the spot, Captain Raina Giusti made no mistake and doubled Birkirkara's lead.

The Stripes made them three on the forty-second minute when Michela Felice made an excellent run on the right wing before delivering a perfect low cross in the path of Raina Giusti who had a routine task to slot past the goalkeeper from close range.

In the final five minutes, Mr. Johann Scicluna made another two changes after sensing the qualification in Birkirkara's bag. Mireille Belizzi replaced the tire-less Michela Felice while Sarah Urpani came off Naomi Mizzi.

Just before the full-time whistle, Kirkop managed to pull one back with a direct free-kick thanks to Emilie Pace.

The Stripes will now face the winner of the match between Gozo and Mgarr United. The semi final will be played on the 4th May.

BIRKIRKARA: Jennifer Galea, Giulia Micallef (12' Naomi Mizzi) (48' Sarah Urpani), Alexia Galea (17' Michela Felice) (45' Mireille Bellizzi), Tara Attard, Alishia Sultana, Raina Giusti, Mariah Sciberras.

KIRKOP: Yasmine Farrugia, Charlene Cassia, Celine Galea, Emilie Pace, Rachel Caruana (46' Rebecca Ellul), Kathryn Ellul (28' Yasmine Ciantar), Demi Magrin.

Scorers: 22' Alishia Sultana, 32' Raina Giusti, 42' Raina Giusti (Birkirkara), 50' Emilie Pace (Kirkop).

comments powered by Disqus