Women’s football – Birkirkara face Cluj away in UWCL

For the fourth consecutive season, Birkirkara are representing Malta in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. They face Romanian champions Olimpija Cluj in Romania, this afternoon (kick-off: 2pm).  Unlike previous editions, this year’s competition will commence with two single-leg qualification rounds before the round of 32 that takes place later on this year. UEFA opted for this format due to the coronavirus pandemic that forced them to scrap the traditional group stage qualifiers which usually take place in August. Birkirkara have launched their quest for a fifth straight domestic title with three consecutive wins, including two against league rivals Swieqi United 2-0 and Mġarr United 3-0. They have scored 17 goals with goalkeeper Janice Xuereb preserving a clean sheet in all three league ties. For this trip, coach Melania Bajada can count on a full squad, including Canadian forward Christabel Oduro. Oduro, 27, has scored a hat-trick in their 12-0 win over Raiders Għargħur and she will be playing her second Champions League campaign after heir 2016 experience with Israel side Ramat HaSharon. Birkirkara will be representing Malta in this competition for the fourth straight year with their best record achieved in 2018, when the Stripes chalked up their first point in Europe when holding Wales’ Cardiff Met Ladies to a 2-2 draw. This will be the third time that the Stripes face Cluj. The previous two encounters were in 2012 and 2014 with the Romanian winning both ties. Cluj are currently topping the Romanian championship with 18 poins after six consecutive victories, with 27 goals scored and just two goals conceded. Cluj’s squad includes 11 players who form part of the Romania national team as well.  DOMESTIC LEAGUE With champions Birkirkara involved in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Mġarr United and Swieqi United take centre stage in the BOV Women’s League. After playing four games each, Mġarr and Swieqi are joint leaders with Birkirkara on nine points. The extra game for both was a defeat at the hands of the Stripes. A win for either Mġarr or Swieqi would allow them to open a three-point gap at the top of the championship before the international break. Mġarr are coming from a 3-0 defeat to Birkirkara, their first setback after three wins. Mġarr's display left a lot to be desired and against Swieqi, they will be eager to put on a commanding showing to get back on track. The Greens have the second best attack of the league, with 16 goals scored thanks to Francesca Chircop and Brenda Borg who contributed with six and five goals, respectively. On the other hand, Swieqi scored one goal more with 17, boasting the best attack in the league along with Birkirkara. Their top scorer is youth Demi Magrin who has taken the league by storm, netitng six goals. Elsewhere, Mosta and Raiders Għargħur will face each other in an intriguing clash from the bottom half of the table. Both teams have played three games each with Mosta securing a victory over Mtarfa while Raiders are still looking for their first points of the season. PROGRAMME PLAYING TODAY - 20.30MĠARR GROUNDMġarr United vs Swieqi United TOMORROW - 20.30DINGLI GROUNDMosta vs Raiders Għargħur