Late Swieqi goals halts Birkirkara’s long unbeaten run in Assikura Women’s League

Women
by Malta FA

Birkirkara’s impressive 92-game unbeaten run in the national championship came to an end at the death after Swieqi United clinch three precious points in their direct encounter.

Ghana forward Karima Abdulai connected with a Dorianne Theuma freekick from inside the small area and beat Janice Xuereb, to the delight of the Swieqi clan. This victory puts Swieqi joint-level with Hibernians at the top of the table with 17 points after the first round.

On the other hand, for the Stripes this was their first league defeat since 2018 which also cancels their perfect start to this 2023/2024 campaign. Jose Borg’s side sit third with 15 points after six outings as they still have one game in hand which could potentially see them lift themselves into first place.

Meanwhile during the weekend Birkirkara had defeated Mġarr United 2-0. The Stripes scored a goal in each half through Italian midfielder Marta Grosso and defender Ann-Marie Said to make it five wins from five league outings.

Hibernians broke little sweat to overcome Mtarfa and move at the top of the championship with their fifth win of the season. The Paolites have 17 points and pipped Mġarr to first after the Greens fell to Birkirkara in the late kick-off. Keith Gouder’s side opened a three-goal lead in the first half through a Sarah Urpani brace and an Alexis Espitia goal. Espitia secured her personal hat-trick after the exchange of ends with two more goals while Nicole Sciberras and Yolande Attard wrapped up Hibernians’ win.

Salamatu Abdulai joined Mġarr United’s Joelma at the top of the league’s scoring charts after she scored twice to help Swieqi United inflict a 6-0 defeat to Lija Athletic. The Ghana forward has now scored nine goals in five league matches with the Owls securing the victory through a Mariah Sciberras’ brace and goals from Maria Vella and Rafanny.

Valletta clinched their third win of the season after beating San Ġwann, scoring all goals in the first half. The Citizens opened the score through defender Georgiana Mifsud with Laura Muscat and Marcelle securing the victory before the half-time whistle.