Mosta have final word

Mosta kept their cool to edge champions Birkirkara 4-2 on penalties and win this season’s women’s knock-out competition.

The final, played on Tuesday at the Centenary Stadium, was a close affair with the two sides scoring a goal in each half for a 1-1 draw at the end of the regular 90 minutes. The score was unchanged after extra-time, meaning that a penalty shoot-out was needed to decide the issue.

Birkirkara, crowned champions with something to spare, had opened the scoring after 10 minutes, courtesy of Isabelle Mazzitelli who beat Mosta goalkeeper Sharon Costantino with an angled shot.

Mosta tried to hit back but failed to break down a solid Birkirkara defence well marshalled by Stephania Farrugia.

Their best chance came nine minutes from half-time but captain Rebecca D’Agostino’s free-kick was off target.

As the second half got underway, Mosta resumed their attacking surge in search of an equaliser. Their efforts were rewarded six minutes into the second half when D’Agostino sent a firm header into the net from Oriana Bedingfield’s corner.

Boosted by their equaliser, Mosta continued to pile the pressure on the error-prone Birkirkara who committed several fouls.

For all their possession Mosta failed to score a second goal and Birkirkara came back strongly in the final stages. A Rachel Cuschieri effort was high before Costantino saved from Kelly Agius Pace.

In the first half of extra-time, Birkirkara went close with attempts by Cuschieri and Agius Pace while Mosta’s Dorianne Theuma hit wide from a free-kick.

Exhaustion set in during the second half of extra-time. The best opportunity came Birkirkara’s way when Cuschieri evaded the challenge of Charlene Cassia but D’Agostino tracked back to close the angle as Cuschieri’s shot ended wide.

In the penalty shoot-out, Natasha Pace, Rachel Nolan, Bedingfield and Theuma made no mistake for Mosta but Birkirkara missed twice from the spot.

Costantino denied Farrugia and Gabriella Zahra blasted her shot over the bar, triggering scenes of joy among the Mosta clan.

“I have no words to describe my happiness at this achievement,” Theuma, Mosta’s player-coach, said.

“We were depleted by injuries but the players showed character and fighting spirit till the very end.”

BIRKIRKARA: J. Xuereb, Y. Vella, S. Farrugia, M. Cardona, I. Mazzitelli, M. Cilia, G. Zahra, C. Fenech, R. Cuschieri, R. Giusti (46 D. Debono, 72 R. Xerri), K. Agius Pace.

MOSTA: S. Costantino, R. D’Agostino, R. Chircop (60 D. Theuma), K. Lia, O. Bedingfield, Y. Fenech (85 R. Mifsud), M. Galea (46 A. Abdilla), E. Xuereb, R. Nolan, N. Pace, C. Cassia.

Referee: Andrew James Sammut.