The Malta U-19’s women’s team completed another comeback victory after having the edge over Faroe Islands in a five-goal thriller, in their final European qualifier in the Northern Ireland.
Following this victory, the Maltese girls have clinched promotion into League A after placing as the second-best team from all six qualifying groups. They will be amongst Europe’s elite in the first round of the 2022/2023 edition.
The Maltese girls cancelled a two-goal deficit in a space of six minutes through Tammy Falzon, an own goal and Martina Fenech to pick up their second win in three qualifying games in round 2.
This qualifying campaign has reflected the growth of the women’s game on our shores with two comeback victories and an impressive draw against Northern Ireland.
For this game, coach Frank Schembri could not bank on the services of forward Kailey Willis as she was serving a one-game ban after picking up two yellow cards. Ileana Farrugia, who scored against Azerbaijan was given the nod alongside Yulya Carella and Sara Vella Barbieri upfront.
MALTA
R. Costantino; M. Cardona (46 E. Micallef), A. Gatt, T. Falzon, M. Fenech, V. Mifsud, M. Lucia (90 G. Mifsud), M. Cachia (46 I. Camilleri), I. Farrugia (90 E. Ciantar Piccinino), Y. Carella (46 I. Mifsud), S. Vella Barbieri.
Coach: Frank Schembri.
FAROE ISLANDS
E. Ellingsgaard; M. Olsen (60 K. Gasdal), L. Samuelsen, B. Rasmussen, R. Mouritsen (86 J. Petersen), S. Lidarenda, L. Runadottir, A. Dalinum, J. Eilersdottir.
Coach: Peter Clementsen.
Referee: Rob Hennessy (Ireland FA).
Scorers: Eilersdottir 7, Ellingsgaard 32, Falzon 65, Samuelsen 67 og., Fenech 71.
Another change was between the sticks with Kirkop United’s goalkeeper Raisa Costantino deployed from the start.
Faroe Islands forged ahead against the run of play when Judith Eilersdottir capitalised on a well-oiled counter attack.
Malta staged a reaction to level terms and captain Alexandra Gatt came close to score just to see her header sail over the bar.
Nonetheless, it was Faroe Islands who grabbed the game’s next goal through Ester Ellingsgaard who pounced on a loose ball and fired past goalkeeper Costantino.
Just before half-time, Carella tried her luck from long-range but the Faroe Islands’ goalkeeper was alert to avert the danger.
At the restart, coach Schembri made three changes as he inserted Eunice Micallef, Izabella Camilleri and Iulia Mifsud
Mifsud almost left an immediate impact when she connected with a Farrugia cross but could not beat the Faroe Islands’ goalkeeper.
Veronique Mifsud and Maya Lucia missed a flurry of quick chances in succession as Malta sparked into life.
They made the most of their pressure in minute 65 when Tammy Falzon headed home a Martina Fenech corner.
Two minutes later, Malta equalised through a Loa Samuelsen own goal.
In the 71st minute, Martina Fenech completed the comeback with a long-range shot that hit the back of the net to the delight of the Maltese team.
