UWCL: KF Vllaznia 1-0 Birkirkara FC
by Ayrton Galea - 10th August 2019
Birkirkara FC conceded their second defeat in the UEFA Women's Champions League, as a goal by Amanda Doyle earned FK Vllaznia Shkoder a narrow 1-0 victory.
Encouraged by their spirited performance in the first match against Gintra Universitetas FC, the Stripes produced another resilient display, but a goal after sixteen minutes left them with nothing to show for their efforts.
Coach Melania Bajada kept her trust in the same first-eleven selection as she fielded an unchanged 4-4-2 formation bar a minor tactical adjustment at the back.
The First Half
The all-important goal for the Albanian side was scored after sixteen minutes. Hannah Dauzat's cross from the right found Amanda Doyle who anticipated goalkeeper Janice Xuereb and slotted into an empty net.
The Stripes made an instant reaction and went close to make the score level hardly a minute later. Willis received a fine pass and her powerful shot missed the target by inches.
Birkirkara went close to make the score level on the twenty-sixth minute. Ann-Marie Said struck a powerful free-kick that was deflected by goalkeeper Danielle Etzel into a corner kick, aided by the woodwork.
Coach Melania Bajada utilised an early first-half substitution as Simone Buttigieg replaced the off-colour Raina Giusti. Buttigieg was included behind striker Willis as Mifsud was deployed on the left wing.
Vllaznia finished the first half on the attack with two actions, but efforts by Megi Doci and Doyle ended wide.
The Second Half
The Albanian side opened the second half aiming to build on where they left in the first half and a shot by Doci ended wide by a whisker.
The Stripes tried their utmost to push forward as time went by but they struggled to penetrate through Vllaznia's 5-4-1 formation and were unable to test goalkeeper Etzel.
The Birkirkara Coach roped in youngsters Samantha Zarb and Michela Felice off Kailey Willis and Yasmeen Vella tried to find a way through the organised Vllaznia's defence.
However, the Albanian side kept their cool and held strong till the final whistle to register a vital victory that puts them on top of the table with maximum points after the first two matches.
VLLAZNIA: Danielle Marie Etzel, Cassidy Virginia Blanchard, Arbiona Bajraktari, Sara Maliqi, Hannah Dauzat (78' Esi Lufo), Amanda Doyle, Megi Doci, Ezmiralda Franja, Lucie Gjini, Aidena Mustafa (90+4' Aleksandra Popovic), Milica Vulic.
BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Ann-Marie Said, Stephania Farrugia, Tracy Teuma, Alishia Sultana, Kailey Willis (72' Samantha Zarb), Raina Giusti (37' Simone Buttigieg), Veronique Mifsud, Yasmeen Vella (82' Michela Felice), Ylenia Carabott, Jelena Sakic.
Referee: Tinna Høj Christensen (Denmark)
Assistant Referees: Line-Maria Rasmussen (Denmark), Ugne mitaite (Lithuania).
Fourth Official: Rasa Imanalijeva (Lithuania).
Yellow Cards: 54' Megi Doci, 71' Ezmiralda Franja, 74' Virginia Blanchard, 81' Esi Lufo (Vllaznia), 28' Ylenia Carabott, 59' Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara).
Scorer: 16' Amanda Doyle (Vllaznia).
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