The Malta Women’s National Team faced Moldova on Friday in the first of two important matches as they pursued a historical promotion to League B in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.
Pitch conditions were slightly better for the match following the snowstorm of the previous days, as Malta looked to face a much improved Moldova side who were playing in front of a considerable home crowd.
At the start, both sets of teams took some time to adjust themselves with few goal-mouth actions in the opening stages of the game.
It was in the sixteenth minute that Malta created its first goal-scoring opportunity when a Farrugia pass found Bugeja who managed a cross-shot in between two Moldavian defenders but her effort did not connect with any of the on-rushing Maltese strikers.
Four minutes later, a brilliantly-taken freekick by Rachel Cuschieri saw the Moldavian defense heading the ball away.
Moldova had two goal-scoring opportunities in the space of two minutes when Chiper tested keeper Xuereb who saved into a corner and from the ensuing set-piece, Toma’s effort from inside the box ended high.
Malta responded with two back-to-back corners, one by Said who found Borg at the edge of the box, but her shot was blocked into a corner and Cuschieri’s set-piece found S. Farrugia with a header that went well over the post.
In the 42nd minute, the Maltese players were awarded a freekick for a foul on Bugeja right outside the Moldavian’s box but Cuschieri’s direct freekick ended high. In the dying minutes of the first half, Moldova increased their pressure on the Maltese side but found Xuereb ready to protect Malta’s goal.
Coach Manuela Tesse made one substitution during halftime when Sultana replaced Carabott.
Two minutes into the second half, Malta created a good goal-scoring opportunity when Farrugia managed to go past a defender, drifted the ball towards Cuschieri who drove her finish high over the bar.
Malta continued to put pressure on the hosts with another sublime freekick by Cuschieri, directed to Bugeja who headed just wide.
Moldova responded with a shot at goal by Tabur which also ended off target, they continued to operate with counter attacks to find a solid Maltese defence, propelled and still unbeaten in this competition, by keeper Janice Xuereb.
In the 75th minute, a Rachel Cuschieri effort from outside the box ended slightly wide and two minutes later a cross by Bugeja found Sultana who tried her luck but her effort was deflected into a corner.
Moldova had a player sent off in the 80th minute when Gutu received a second yellow card, and with ten minutes left to play Malta pushed forward but were constantly denied by the solid defensive block operated by our opponents.
Final Score Moldova 0 Malta 0
Moldova
- Panova; V.Virian; V. Cojuhri (M Catarau 77th); C. Ţabur (E. Coceanovischi 90th ); C. Chiper; F.Guţu; M. Bădiceanu; N. Colesnicenco; A. Cernitu (C. Musteata 60th); A. Sivolobova; A. Toma.
Malta
- Xuereb A.M. Said; E. Lipman; S. Farrugia; Y. Carabott (A. Sultana 45th); R. Cuschieri; M. Farrugia (K. Willis 87th); B. Borg; E Xuereb; N. Sciberras; H.Bugeja.
Referee – Louise Thompson (NIR).
Source: MFA
Photos: MFA
