The Maltese girls registered a hard-earned victory when they beat the Faroe Islands by a solitary goal in the first match of the UEFA U15 development tournament at the Centenary Stadium. Despite the efforts of both sets of girls, the match clearly lacked action but came to life in the final ten minutes with Malta’s winning goal and a missed penalty for the Faroes just minutes later.
The first 20 minutes were quite staid with no side really making any inroads. Malta had a good chance on 24 minutes when Katrina Catania sprang the offside trap, but her effort went well over.
Malta started brightly at the start of the second half and had a fine chance when Catania entered the box but saw her shot well saved by Elin Hansen. The Faroe Islands had their first real opportunity on 74 minutes when Rakul Madsen entered the box but her shot ended up deflected for a corner.
The hosts scored what proved to be the winner on 83 minutes when Shanaia Mifsud received a ball from the right and let fly a superb effort which sailed past Hansen to the delight of the local contingent. The visitors had a chance to equalize almost immediately when they were awarded a penalty after Helena Holm was felled in the box. However, Alexandra Zachariassen’s shot was brilliantly saved by Katelyn Camilleri to protect Malta’s slim lead.
The Maltese girls saw out the final few minutes to register a famous and deserved victory.
This afternoon, Andorra and Luxembourg will cross swords at the same venue. Andorra are the next opponents of Malta on Thursday at the same venue, kick off 13h30.
Malta
Katelyn Camilleri, Amy Catania Bello, Amie Marta Portelli (Kylie Pullicino 79), Martina Mendez, Alessandra Consoli (Michela Borg 79), Katrine Jorgensen (Lara Micallef 59), Katrina Catania (Kristie Micallef 52), Keziah Richard, Amberley Borg, Kesia Farrugia (Erika Cini 46’, Elanya Mallia (Shanaia Mifsud 79).
Faroe Islands
Elin Emelund Hansen, Aleksandra Zachariassen, Hanna Thomsen, Elin Joensen, Maria Bjarnadottir, Tora Vid Gil (Miriam Stauss 60), Lilja Eiriksdottir, Lea Traber Olsen (Helena Holm 46), Rakul Madsen (Lia Dam Jakobsen 46), Sigrid Hansdottir (Rannva Ryan 83), Olivia Kristiansen.
Referee
Ryan Caruana
Report: MFA
Photo: MFA
