Women's football: Hibernians FC win their 5th Super Cup Final

 Gianluca Lia The 11th edition of the Women's Super Cup saw rivals Hibernians and Birkirkara crossing swords with the Paolites adding another trophy to their cabinet by conquering a record 5th Super Cup in their history following their 2-0 win over Birkirkara. Hibernians were eligible for this match as the champions of Malta while Birkirkara were playing this match since they finished runners-up in the league since the Paolites had triumphed also in the domestic cup.   Maltese International Jade Flask was making her debut in Hibernians' shirt following her move from Kirkop United while on the other side, Jean Pierre Portanier Mifsud was coaching Birkirkara for the very first time. Moreover, few of the Stripes' new signings featured in this match with Oriana Bedingfield fielded from the 1st minute while Danish Heidi Kjaer appeared in the second half of the match. The first 15 minutes of the encounter consisted mostly of possession from Hibernians with Birkirkara waiting for them in order to operate with the counter-attacks.  The first dangerous shoot arrived from Ylenia Carabott but her effort went inches wide from Janice Xuereb's posts. Few minutes after though, Hibernians shed the first blood of the match when Martina Borg was fouled by Kim Parnis in the box and without any hesitations, referee Esther Azzopardi ordered a penalty for the Paolites. Ylenia Carabott converted from the penalty spot to put her team in front. Martina Borg and Ylenia Carabott missed a couple of consecutive efforts few minutes after their opening goal which could easily have written off their opponents from the match.  The first 45 minutes ended with Hibernians leading by 1-0 goal over Birkirkara. During the half-time, those clubs which participated in the FIFA Live Your Goals festival last season were given a set of footballs each in order to continue their positive work with the young girls. The MFA is working hand in hand with the clubs in the interest of improving the youth facilities of the girls' nurseries from which the clubs themselves could benefit as they would have the foundations to provide to their young girls. Birkirkara started the second half strong when Raina Giusti fired a shot from outside box but it was deflected into corner from which they almost equalized but Hibernians managed to clear from their own box. Dorianne Theuma almost wrote her name on the scoresheet but her effort went outside. Hibernians continued to push and they had another couple of dangerous efforts from Martina Borg and Ylenia Carabott. When the match seemed to remain tight in the dying minutes, Martina Borg sealed the win for the Paolites when she netted a low cross from left flank by Rodianne Borg. Hibernians won their 5th Super Cup remaining the most club with the most wins in the Super Cup. As Birkirkara's players were being awarded their runners-up medals, Hibernians' fans applauded them. It was a simple gesture but which means a lot for football. That is what football shall be about, sense of sportsmanship and respect. HIBERNIANS: Keoney Demicoli, Mandy Debono, Jade Flask, Charlene Zammit, Francesca Chircop (Rodiana Borg), Ylenia Carabott, Dionne Tonna ©, Shona Zammit, Martina Borg, Ruth Steer Chetham (Corissa Vella), Dorianne Theuma.COACH: Keith Gouder BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Maryrose Cardona (Heidi Kjaer), Yasmeen Vella, Kim Parnis, Stephania Farrugia ©, Gabriella Zahra, Raina Giusti, Alishia Sultana, Martina Cilia (Melania Bajada), Oriana Bedingfield, Kelly Agius PaceCOACH: Jean Pierre Portanier