UWCL: Gintra Universitetas FC 0-1 Birkirkara FC
by Ayrton Galea - 7th August 2019
A goal by Brazilian forward Isadora Freitas after just two minutes condemned Birkirkara FC to a narrow defeat against group favourites Gintra Universitetas FC in the first match of group 10 of the UEFA Women's Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Lithuanian champions were ranked the hot-favourites for this match and an early goal seemed to set them on course to register a big victory following surging ahead after just two minutes.
However, the Stripes produced a five-star collective performance that frustrated the Lithuanian Champions and could have also taken something from this match by creating several scoring opportunities.
Coach Melania Bajada, in charge in her third consecutive European journey with the Stripes, handed Kailey Willis and Veronique Mifsud their debut in this competition as both youngsters formed the attacking line in a 4-4-2 formation.
The First Half
Gintra's all-important goal came after just two minutes. Goalkeeper Janice Xuereb produced an excellent save for Birkirkara in a one on one situation. However, the rebound dropped in the path of Isadora Freitas who hit a wonderful lob to open the score for the Lithuania champions.
Birkirkara's reaction was instant and they almost made the score level in their first scoring attempt. Tracy Teuma delivered an accurate corner kick and Stephania Farrugia's header ended just over the bar.
Recent signing and South Africa international player Jermaine Seoposenwe did fine footwork but her curling shot from outside the box finished wide.
Debutant Kailey Willis went close to score a magnificent goal as her lob from just past the half-way line almost surprised goalkeeper Greta Lukjancuke, but her effort ended just over the bar.
Gintra were dictating possession, but they couldn't find a way past the organised Birkirkara defence, with Alishia Sultana excelling in cancelling the runs of Seoposenwe.
The Second Half
Coach Melania Bajada made her first change just before the hour-mark as she included Samantha Zarb off Raina Giusti on the left flank to provide more support to defender Yasmeen Vella.
The Lithuanian Champions intensified their pressure, but goalkeeper Janice Xuereb was in top form and she produced a string of excellent saves to deny Seoposenwe, Velickaite, and Freitas who all had clear-cut chances.
Gintra almost doubled their lead three minutes from time when off an erratic clearance, Dovile Gaileviciute's fierce shot ended wide by inches.
After had roped in Urpani off Willis in the Birkirkara's forward line on the seventy-eighth minute, Coach Bajada included Buttigieg of Teuma in the last attempt on taking a point from the match.
Birkirkara's efforts were almost rewarded in a dramatic way in the last action, but efforts from Veronique Mifsud and Stephania Farrugia were cleared into safety.
The full-time whistle found Birkirkara gutted for not taking something from this game, but certainly with their heads held high for their magnificent collective performance.
GINTRA: Greta Lukjančukė, Nothando Vilakazi, Anastasia Filenko, Algimante Mikutaitė (Lyubov Gudchenko), Dovilė Gailevičiūtė, Isadora Freitas, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Vestina Neverdauskaitė, Simona Veličkaitė, Karen Bender (32' Miranda Nild) (46'Rimantė Jonušaitė) , Anna Pilipenko.
BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Ann-Marie Said, Stephania Farrugia, Tracy Teuma (88' Simone Buttigieg), Alishia Sultana, Kailey Willis (78' Sarah Urpani), Raina Giusti (59' Samantha Zarb), Veronique Mifsud, Yasmeen Vella, Ylenia Carabott, Jelena Sakic.
Referee: Lizzy Van Der Helm (NED)
Assistant Referees: Franca Overtoom (NED), Pavleta Rashkova (BUL).
Fourth Official: Hristiana Guteva (BUL).
Yellow Cards: 57' Algimante Mikutaitė, 89' Jermaine Seoposenwe (Gintra), 38' Tracy Teuma, 54' Kailey Willis, 71' Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara).
Scorer: 2' Isadora Freitas (Gintra).
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