Swieqi United delivered a commanding performance to secure their second consecutive Assikura Women’s Super Cup title, defeating Mġarr United 3-0 in a heated encounter at the Centenary Stadium.
The Owls, last season’s women’s league champions, struck twice in the first half through Salamatu Abdulai and Sara Saliba, before Saliba added a second after the break to seal the victory.
Mġarr United, winners of last season’s domestic cup and playing for their first-ever Super Cup success, ended the match with nine players after a chaotic second half saw two red cards.
Match Summary
Both sides made slight adjustments to their starting line-ups.
Swieqi handed Sarah Urpani a place in the starting XI, while Mġarr welcomed back Argentine forward Maria Hernandez and entrusted Giulia D’Antuono with goalkeeping duties.
Swieqi started strongly, with Abdulai forcing a save from D’Antuono before Valeria Villegas spurned a golden opportunity for Mġarr at the other end. Saliba also tested the Mġarr goalkeeper as the Owls ramped up the pressure.
The breakthrough came on 20 minutes, when Abdulai muscled past her marker and finished clinically from close range. Moments later, Saliba almost doubled the lead, but her strike rattled the crossbar.
Mġarr came close to equalising when Yulya Carella’s long-range effort also hit the woodwork, but Swieqi doubled their advantage shortly before halftime. Saliba was brought down inside the box by Abigail Camilleri, and she made no mistake from the spot to give Swieqi a 2-0 lead at the break.
Second-Half Drama
Mġarr’s hopes of a comeback suffered a massive blow early in the second half when Carella received two yellow cards in quick succession, leaving the Greens down to ten players.
Despite the setback, Mġarr continued to push forward, with Hernandez coming close to scoring, but her curling strike drifted just wide.
Swieqi made their numerical advantage count as Saliba struck again on 59 minutes, slotting home from close range to put the result beyond doubt.
Valeria Villegas tried to rally her side with a shot on target, but goalkeeper Patricia Araujo stood firm to maintain her clean sheet.
In the closing stages, Mġarr’s frustrations grew as they were denied by the woodwork once more before things completely unraveled — Alejandra Villegas and Samantha Camilleri were both sent off in the 86th minute, reducing the Greens to just nine players.
Trophy Presentation
Following the final whistle, Malta FA General Secretary Dr. Maria Azzopardi and Andrew Grech, Managing Director of Assikura Insurance Brokers PLC, presented medals to winners Swieqi United, runners-up Mġarr United, and the match officials.
The evening concluded with Swieqi captain Shona Zammit lifting the trophy as celebrations erupted among the Owls’ players and supporters.
This victory cements Swieqi’s place at the top of Maltese women’s football and sets the tone for the upcoming season.
Match Stats
Final Score:
Swieqi United 3
Abdulai 20’, Saliba 38’ (pen.), 59’
Swieqi United Line-Up:
P. Araujo; V. Rapa, S. Urpani (86’ J. Schembri), E. Xuereb, S. Abdulai, A. Yaneva (69’ E. Micallef), S. Zammit, T. Falzon (80’ M. Conti), A. Kricak, M. Cachia (86’ Y. Azzopardi), S. Saliba
Coach: Dorianne Theuma
Mġarr United Line-Up:
G. D’Antuono; A. Camilleri, A. Villegas, M. Debono, Y. Carella, L. Cefai, V. Villegas, Y. Mendez, M. Hernandez, R. Bajada (74’ K. Abela Sciberras), A. Grech
Coach: Ryan Vella
Referee: Luca Grech
Yellow Cards:
Yaneva 56’ (S); A. Camilleri 39’, A. Villegas 54’, Mendez 73’, Debono 81’ (M)
Red Cards:
Carella 48’, A. Villegas 86’, S. Camilleri 86’ (M)
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