Birkirkara, Swieqi United vying for season’s first silverware

Birkirkara and Swieqi United are the two teams that will contend the first major silverware of the season when they will rub shoulders in Wednesday’s Assikura Women’s Super Cup. 

This coveted trophy makes its return in the domestic season’s agenda after an absence of two consecutive years due to the Covid-19 pandemic that had disrupted the timetable of the local competitions. 

The Stripes, winners of the first ever edition back in 2005, will be vying for a sixth success that would put them just one shy from the all-time winning record held by Hibernians. 

The Paolites are the most successful team in the Super Cup with seven triumphs, their last being in 2018. 

Birkirkara, led by coach Jose Borg, repeated their 2005 success in 2008, 2010, 2017 and 2019 as well. 

Their last title being clinched at the National Stadium when they hit Mġarr United for five. 

Reigning champions and current leaders of the Assikura Women’s League, Birkirkara start as favourites to pick up another local title. 

They will be facing Swieqi as winners of last season’s domestic championship which they clinched with 50 points in 18 games under the guidance of former coach Melania Bajada. 

She led the Stripes to 16 wins and two draws, and to a success in the Knock-Out competition as well which means that Swieqi are contending this Super Cup as the second-place side in the 2021/2022 championship.  

Last season, Birkirkara defeated Swieqi on two occasions – 3-1 and 1-0, while drawing 2-2 in their season finale which helped them extend their unbeaten league run, which is ongoing – now at 76. 

Their 76-game streak includes also the two head-to-head against the Owls this season. They drew their league opener, 1-1, before Sara Saliba handed Birkirkara a narrow 1-0 win in their most recent direct encounter.  

Swieqi, on their part, are striving to collect their maiden major title in local women’s game. 

Their sole silverware so far is a Second Division title in the 2016/2017 which at the time, it was a turning point for the Owls as this enabled them to clinch promotion in the top-tier. 

From then onwards, they never looked back as they always strived for improvement and in recent campaigns they established themselves as one of the most competitive sides in the domestic scene. 

After finishing runners-up in both league and cup last season, Swieqi invested in their squad to assemble a competitive squad that could challenge Birkirkara for the title. 

One of their major changes was in their technical staff having entrusted their project to Dutch coach Judith Kuipers. 

So far, she steered the Owls to 14 points in 7 games including four wins and two draws. Their only defeat was at the hands of Wednesday’s rivals.  

TICKETS 

Prices of tickets are as follows: 

  • €5 (adults) 
  • €3 (concessions, U-12’s and over 60) 

Tickets can either be bought online tickets.mfa.com.mt or before the match from the designated ticket booths at the stadium 

Live streaming 

Whilst nothing beats the stadium atmosphere, the game can be watched live on MALTA FA MATCH CENTRE