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Women’s K/O final: Mgarr win it after penalty shoot-out

Published: 20-04-2015 09:20
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 Mgarr United and Gozo FC concluded the 2014/2015 U/16 season by contesting the K/O final won by Mgarr who made the double for the second consecutive season after they also won the U16 Section A league. Mgarr won 3-1 on penalties after the match ended in a stalemate although both teams had many goal scoring opportunities. Apart from their positive display in front of the match’s attendants, the girls showed that the U16 level is improving in its quality and hopefully this will be our basement in the interest of keep growing this movement.   Both teams had important efforts outside the box in the initial minutes but neither goalkeepers had to intervene. As the time went by, the pressure on all players started to increase and they were struggling to keep possession of the ball. Gozo had another important effort this time from Maria Farrugia who dribbled past an opponent and tested Mgarr goalkeeper Rachel Borg with a low shot outside the box. Mgarr ended the half on a high with a golden opportunity but Angelique Schembri’s effort went inches wide. The second half had more challenges in the midfield than efforts on goal, with both teams starting to be more cautious as the match was heading to the final minutes. Gozo were a bit superior and in fact they were the most close to open to score when they tried a volley but Rachel Borg seemed insuperable today. The match went to extra time and both teams were showing signs of fatigue, in fact there were not many goal scoring opportunities until the final minutes when Keeva Camilleri’ effort was deflected by the goalkeeper into a corner. From the following corner, Maria Farrugia had her shot blocked by Mgarr’s strong defensive line. Only a penalty shoot-out could decide the winner and Mgarr United went on triumphing 3-1 over Gozo with the final penalty taken by Patricia Ebejer. Mgarr’s coach said that she is delighted that her team managed to make the double for another season which means that there is quality in her girls which eventually will help the senior’s team to improve. On the other hand, Gozo’s coach underlined the fighting spirit of both teams which led to a hard-fought final. Both teams deserved to win but only one had to lift the trophy. She said that she is still proud of the girls’ effort which led them towards the final.