Despite a dominant performance, Malta had to settle for another defeat, this time against a stubborn Georgian team who took their chances well. The second half especially was a one-sided affair with the hosts all out on attack, in which Malta certainly deserved to score. This defeat however, left Malta anchored at the bottom of the group.
When compared to the Romania game last Saturday, coach Frank Schembri opted for two changes in his starting line-up. Yulya Carella and Veronique Mifsud were replaced by Michael Cachia and Emma Ciantar.
On 23 minutes, Malta was close to open the score. A corner kick from Emma Ciantar was met in the box by Alexandra Gatt but her volley missed target by an inch. Ciantar had a great opportunity for the hosts on 28 minutes after an individual effort, but her shot ended high. It was however Georgia who opened the score. Eter Sulashvili was sent through in the middle, outpacing her direct marker and goalkeeper Giulia D’Antuono with a grounder. On 40 minutes, Maiko Bebia missed a sitter for Georgia, hitting high from an ideal position. Close to half-time, an Ileana Farrugia shot was saved without much difficulty by Georgia custodian Eka Tabagari.
After the break, in search for an equaliser, Schembri chose to replace Rhea Borg with the more attacking minded option of Yulya Carella, who certainly brought more life in Malta’s attacks. It resulted into more pressure for the Georgians in the first 20 minutes of the second half, but Malta could not get particularly dangerous in front of Tabagari’s goal, with Kailey Willis remaining to isolated up front at times. On 65 minutes, in one of Georgia’s counter-attacks, Sulashvili could have added the second for Georgia, but her shot from close range missed direction. Five minutes after, the hard-working Maya Lucia had an excellent opportunity to level matters but her shot was too weak to trouble Tabagazi.
On 72 minutes, a fine Willis header brought the best out of the Georgian goalie. In the final part of the match, the locals tried hard to force out an equaliser, but the final pass was lacking, much to the delight of the Georgian defence.
This afternoon, Romania and Israel, who collected six and four points respectively, will decide who will win the group and promotion to Group A in the second round. This match will kick off at 16h, also at the Centenary Stadium.
Malta:
Giulia D’Antuono, Martina Fenech, Tammy Falzon, Alexandra Gatt, Rhea Borg (Yulya Carella 46), Michaela Cachia, Ileana Farrugia (Martina Cortis 77), Mariah Cardona, Maya Lucia (Elena Sissons 84), Kailey Willis, Emma Ciantar (Iulia Mifsud 84)
Coach: Frank Schembri
Georgia:
Eka Tabagari, Nino Jgushia, Tamar Svanidze, Ani Dzadzua, Mariam Kapanadze, Maiko Bebia, Elene Kakhniashvili, Lizi Mtskerashvili, Mariam Modrekiladze (Mari Begiashvili 79), Elene Enjibadze (Ana Gobronidze 93), Eter Sulashvili.
Coach: Lavrenti Davitashvili
Referee: Emanuela Rusta (Albania)
