Despite playing a good game and having the lion’s share of ball possession, the Malta women’s national team lost 0-2 to Montenegro in another match from Group E of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying round at the Centenary Stadium on Friday.
Two points separated the two teams before the game but this win puts Montenegro five points ahead of Mark Gatt’s side.
Malta had the lions share of possession in the first half with Brenda Borg going closest early in the game.
The opening goal came on the half hour mark when Armisa Kus’s low drive beat Xuereb.
Malta kept pressing forward in search of an equalisier, Brenda Borg again denied by Montenegro’s defence.
Helena Bozic’s header off a free kick snuffed out Malta’s hopes of salvaging a point.
In the dying minutes, Malta went close once again with attempts by Ann-Marie Said and Emma Xuereb.
Malta will be in action once again on Tuesday, facing Bosnia Herzegovina away from home.
MALTA Janice Xuereb; Emma Lipman, Stephania Farrugia (88′ Jessica Lee Dimech), Dorianne Theuma, Rachel Cuschieri, Alishia Sultana, Maria Farrugia, Shona Zammit (46′ Haley Bugeja), Charlene Zammit, Brenda Borg (85 Emma Xuereb), Nicole Sciberras (46 Anne-Marie Said).
MONTENEGRO Anastasija Krstovic; Aleksandra Popovic, Maja Saranovic, Sladjana Bulatovic (77 Nada Djurdevac), Andjela Toskovic (90 Marija Maras), Nadja Stanovic, Jelena Karlicic, Armisa Kuc, Helena Bozic, Medina Desic (73 Milica Radunovic), Darija Djukic.
Referee: Kateryna Usova (UKR)
Photo: Stephen Gatt
