Malta recorded its first ever win in the Women’s World Cup after beating Azerbaijan 2-1 at the ASK Arena, in Baku.
A historic victory for the Malta women’s national team who are now on four points after their home draw to Bosnia-Herzegovina, last month.
The Maltese team were the better side on the field but had to wait until the second half to forge ahead through Dorianne Theuma. Emma Xuereb, who was a second-half entry, sealed the victory with a late goal.
A well-deserved victory for Mark Gatt’s side, ranked 93rd, against an Azeri side that were in pot 4 ahead of these qualifications. Azerbaijan currently sit 78th in the FIFA Rankings.
For this game, coach Gatt made one change with Brenda Borg coming on for Alishia Sultana.
Azerbaijan started to dictate proceedings but Malta still managed to create chances for them with Rachel Cuschieri having a shot on goal from a free-kick just to see the Azerbaijan’s goalkeeper deny it after six minutes.
Maria Farrugia had a shot on goal on the 20th minute but the Azerbaijan custodian was once again alert to avert the danger.
Moments later, Dorianne Theuma tried her luck from the edge of the area but could not break the deadlock.
Azerbaijan replied through Nigar Mirzaliyeva whose header went wide from Patricia Ebejer’s goal.
Malta’s biggest chance of the first half dropped on the feet of Cuschieri when after a well-played combination with Farrugia, the Lazio midfielder entered the box but fired from close-range as the opening 45 minutes remained goalless.
At the restart, Theuma had Malta’s first chance when she attempted a thumping volley following a corner-kick situation but her effort sailed over the bar.
Malta made their pressure count when Brenda Borg pounced on a Cuschieri through ball before being floored by the Azeri goalkeeper.
Theuma took charge of penalty and converted from the spot for her 29th goal with the Malta women’s national team.
Azerbaija’s reply came from Alina Dorofeeva who let fly a strike from the edge of the area but her effort was smothered by Malta’s goalkeeper Patricia Ebejer.
Ebejer came to Malta’s rescue again when she denied Nazlican Parlak whose header was on target.
Malta wrapped up the victory when Farrugia found substitute Emma Xuereb who capitalised from close-range.
Deep in stoppage time, Vusala Seyfatdinova headed home a free-kick as Azerbaijan staged a later rally in search of a leveller but Malta’s resilience was enough for them to claim the spoils.
AZERBAIJAN
A. Sharifova; Z. Mahsimova, A. Ahmadova, M. Mollayeva, A. Dorofeeva, N. Mirzaliyeva, V. Seyfatdinova, A. Aliyeva (75 P. Bozdag), B. Su Koyun (60 D. Mammadova), N. Parlak, K. Bakarandze.
MALTA
P. Ebejer; C. Zammit, S. Farrugia, E. Lipman, A. Said, N. Sciberras (64 A. Sultana), S. Zammit, D. Theuma (76 E. Xuereb), R. Cuschieri, B. Borg (88 J. Flask), M. Farrugia.
AZERBAIJAN: Seyfatdniova 90.
MALTA: Theuma 58, Xuereb 87.
Referee: Reka Molnar (Hungary FA).
