Birkirkara and Hibernians will open the 2018/2019 women’s football season with the annual curtain-raiser as they will contend the 14th edition of the BOV Women’s Super Cup at the Centenary Stadium, this evening (kick-off: 7pm).

The Stripes, authors of a domestic clean sweep during the 2017/2018 season as they claimed all titles including this competition, will be keen to start the new campaign on a good note and add a fifth Super Cup title to their trophy cabinet.

Coached by Melania Bajada, Birkirkara endured a positive summer after they chalked up their first ever point in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Women’s Champions League following their 2-2 draw with Wales’ representative Cardiff Met Women.

Moreover, they have strengthened their team with the signings of Rebecca Bajada, formerly of Hibernians and Tarxien Rainbows’ striker Kailey Willis.

But their biggest signing was Ylenia Carabott, a clinical striker who claimed every domestic title with the Paolites before seeking pastures new this summer.

Bajada, who took charge of this team ahead of last season, is eager to add more trophies to her young coaching career.

“Tuesday (today), we commence another long and challenging season,” Bajada said to the Times of Malta.

“The team is prepared and determined to kickstart this season on a positive note and add another honour.”

Speaking about the threat that Hibernians bring to the table, the former Stripes player is wary of the Paolites’ danger.

“Undoubtedly, it will be a thrilling game between two teams who boast a lot of quality in their rosters,” she explained.

“Hibernians is a very good team, hence we have to make sure to impose our game and apply all the stuff we worked on during training.”

Birkirkara will face a Hibernians side who want to bounce back after last season’s trophy-less campaign.

In fact, their last silverware was the 2016 Super Cup, their sixth, when they claimed the spoils, 5-3 against the Stripes.

Since then, Birkirkara went on to win the championship and the domestic cup twice, besides last year’s Super Cup (3-2) as well.  Leading the team on the field will be Dorianne Theuma, stalwart of the Paolites and the national team.

Theuma, winner of this competition nine times including six times wearing the black and white shirt, is eager to get the season started.

“We have prepared a lot for this game, even though it was difficult to trainas full squad

given we had members of our roster who were called up by the U-19 national team,” Theuma said.

“Naturally, our aim is to put an important display on the field and eventually bring the Super Cup home.”

Youth blood

Hibernians, who lost striker Carabott to Birkirkara, have injected youth blood to their side with the signings of Jodie Attard, Chloe Ann Ellul, Jessica Dimech and Leanne Cefai among others, all called up by the U-19 selection for the Romania friendlies, earlier last week.

“At the moment, we are going through a transition period and tomorrow’s (today) game will be a good way to measure ourselves with the current champions.”

“The goal is to remain competitive in order to continue challenging for titles year after year.”

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