Women's Team outclass Hibernians to advance to the final

by Ayrton Galea - 11th May 2017

Newly-crowned Champions Birkirkara FC Women's Team will be facing Kirkop United FC in the Women's Knock-Out final, after they sealed their place by outclassing Hibernians FC in the semi-final with a comfortable 4-0 score.

Birkirkara demolished the challenge of Hibernians in one of the semi-finals matches on Tuesday evening, as two goals in each half put them in the chance to win their thirteenth knock-out in history, and the first knock-out final since 2014.

The First Half

Birkirkara surged ahead after fifteen minutes. Playmaker Tracy Teuma did a powerful run as she dashed forward and dribbled past goalkeeper Rita Tagliaferro, before slotted the ball into an empty net to give the Stripes the lead.

Hibernians had a good chance to equalise on the twenty-first minute, but substitute Ruth Steer Chetam's shot was saved by goalkeeper Janice Xuereb. On the other side of the pitch, just a minute later, Raina Giusti served Kelly Agius Pace who saw her shot scratching past the post.

The Stripes doubled their lead on the thirty-fifth minute. They were awarded a free-kick in an ideal position outside the box and Gabriella Zahra blasted the set-piece home, as goalkeeper Tagliaferro only managed to deflect the ball into the net.

The Second Half

Hibernians opened the second half on the attack and Shona Zammit hit a thunderous drive from distance which seemed to be heading into the net, but goalkeeper Janice Xuereb pulled an amazing save as she dived full stretch to tip the ball into a corner kick.

The Stripes made them three past the hour mark. Tracy Teuma played an excellent through-ball towards the rapid-winger Alishia Sultana who outrun her marker and drilled home from inside the box.

Birkirkara added further gloss on their magnificent victory fifteen minutes from time. It was Sultana again who made a brilliant run down the right flank, before cutting inside the box and hit a low shot into the net for her second personal goal and the fourth for the Stripes.

The Stripes will face Kirkop United FC in the Knock-Out final on Wednesday, 17 May. The match will be played at the Centenary Stadium and it will kick off at 20:00.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Gabriella Zahra, Ann-Marie Said, Kim Parnis, Stephania Farrugia, Mariah Sciberras (83' Cassie Camilleri), Tracy Teuma (74' Sonia Schembri), Alishia Sultana (88' Maria Fenech), Raina Giusti (67' Leanne Micallef), Yasmeen Vella, Kelly Agius Pace (83' Samantha Zarb).

Scorers: 15' Tracy Teuma, 35' Gabriella Zahra, 61' Alishia Sultana, 75' Alishia Sultana.

comments powered by Disqus