Birkirkara open women’s title defence against Hibernians

Champions Birkirkara and Hibernians will lift the curtains on the 24th edition of the BOV Women’s League as these two rivals meet in the opening match this evening at the Charles Abela Stadium (kick-off: 8.15pm).  Birkirkara, under the guidance of former player Melania Bajada, have won back-to-back championships and will be vying to make it three in a row for the first time in their history. For their part, Hibernians have been outshone by the Stripes in the last two years but secured a morale-booster before the start of this season’s championship after their 3-0 defeat of Birkirkara in last month’s BOV Women’s Super Cup. Both teams were active in the transfer market but with different strategies. Birkirkara have strengthened their roster with experienced players, including defender Rebecca Bajada and forward Ylenia Carabott, both formerly of Hibs. Moreover, they re-signed Gozitan duo Ann-Marie Said and Tracy Teuma who played a key role in their title-winning campaign last season. Hibs, led by Neil Zarb Cousin, have brought in a blend of youth players who already have experience in the senior league as well as with the national team in their age category. The new signings include Jodie Attard, Leanne Cefai, Amy Busuttil, Chloe Ann Ellul and Keeva Camilleri. Meanwhile, Mġarr United will be looking to consolidate their status as the third force in the league. However, the Greens will surely not hold back from challenging Birkirkara and Hibernians as they boast some talented players in their ranks, the likes of Brenda Borg, Claudette Xuereb and Roxanne Micallef. Fgura United, Mġarr’s first opponents, finished the previous campaign with 11 points following a late flourish. The Reds had two players, Ilenia Navarro and Janice Pace, who finished as joint-top scorers last season with five goals each. Matchday One of the 2018-19 BOV Women’s League continues on Wednesday with another two other fixtures. Raiders (Luxol) cross swords with Kirkop United and Swieqi United take on Mosta. Raiders and Kirkop will be aiming to push themselves up in the ladder and they have the resources to do so. The likes of goalkeeper Maria Xuereb, formerly of Mosta, Rebecca Naudi, formerly of Swieqi United, and youth players like Michela Ghio Bonello, Cherise Zammit, Andy Zammit Mizzi and Rodianne Zerafa, are part of the Luxol team. Coached by Kevin Ellul, Kirkop also have plenty of young players in their squad such as Kathryn Ellul and Demi Gauci Maistre. Moreover, they have retained the core of experienced players with goalkeeper Sharon Costantino, versatile players Marie Clare Cilia and Liis Pello, and forward Liivi Sormus while adding two Colombian players – Angie Corredor and Paula Andrea Cano. Swieqi and Mosta gave life to some thrilling encounters in the past as their blend of youth and experienced players can provide quality of the field. The Oranges can bank on the likes of Yolande Attard and Simone Buttigieg, fresh from their call-ups with the Malta national squad for the friendly matches against Hungary earlier this month. Moreover, they have retained striker Aleksandra Georgieva. On the other hand, Mosta have one of the youngest teams in the league. LEAGUE FORMAT The teams will be playing against each other twice before they will be divided into a championship pool (1st-4th) and relegation pool (5th-8th). PROGRAMME PLAYING TODAY – 8.15pmBirkirkara vs Hibernians, Mosta GroundMġarr United vs Fgura United, Mġarr Ground TOMORROW - 8.15pmRaiders (Luxol) vs Kirkop United, Mġarr GroundSwieqi United vs Mosta, Żebbuġ Ground