The Malta Women’s National Team hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first match of a double header against the former Yugoslav Republic as part of the UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers, Group B3 at the Centenary Stadium, kick-off at 19:30.
Women’s National Team Coach Manuela Tesse urged her players to stand up and be counted.
She added the match on Friday will enable her to maintain her philosophy and style of play, whilst slightly altering the defensive strategy applied in previous group matches against Northern Ireland and Portugal.
“This is the perfect opportunity to snatch all three points, at home to Bosnia is a winnable encounter but we must fight for every ball, take advantage of all goal opportunities created, and keep our discipline in all areas of the pitch over the 90 minutes.”
“Bosnia & Herzegovina are also aware that potentially this game against us is the perfect opportunity to secure a positive result, but we must capitalize on our home advantage in the best possible manner and bounce back from the defeat to Portugal,” said Tesse.
Bosnia are still chasing their first point on the board having already lost to both Northern Ireland and Portugal in their previous two encounters.
Coach Manuela Tesse also alluded to the fact that Bosnia only recently appointed a new coach managing to find their balance in a short period, therefore keeping our shape and delivering a strong performance over the 90 minutes is imperative.
The Women’s National Team has been tuning up for this double header for several weeks of training camp with only the foreign-based players missing having joined the rest of the group only recently.
Tesse also spoke highly in terms of attitude and commitment delivered by her players during the training camp and is confident that the upbeat mood by her players will be translated into a strong performance and a favourable result against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Friday.
This game will mark the final appearance for Dorianne Theuma with the national team after several years representing Malta at the National Team level.
After announcing her retirement last month, she has still teamed up with the rest of the group during the training camp conducted by coach Tesse.
With 117 caps under her belt, Dorianne Theuma commends an iconic status for her distinctive career, also part of the National Team set-up for over twenty years, wherein showing her personality and role-model abilities towards the current crop of the National Team made up of so many young talents, and also to the future generations of female talented and aspiring footballers.
Speaking about her successful career, Dorianne Theuma said she believes a commitment to training, good nutrition, and sacrifice are among the priorities to keep your standard and compete at the highest level for so many years.
She also commended the efforts of her colleagues in the National Team who all have one aim to keep stepping up and maintain this high level of enthusiasm and hard work, which is ultimately essential in our growth and development as a National Team.
In the most recent four encounters against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Malta only secured one draw, and albeit narrowly, lost the other three.
This on Friday can be a different ball game but with resolute and fight only that the team can make it happen and record all vital three points.
Malta v Bosnia & Herzegovina is scheduled for Friday at the Centenary Stadium, kick-off at 19.30. Tickets can be purchased online here:- https://tickets.mfa.com.mt/.
