The Malta Women’s Under-17 National Team put up a brave showing but were ultimately undone by a strong Estonia side in a rain soaked European U-17 Championship final group game.
Malta were hoping to make it three wins out of three in the WU17 European Women’s Championship after victories against Lithuania and Belarus. Unfortunately, the Maltese girls were without their captain Nina Lee Naudi who was injured with Krista Sacco replacing her.
Estonia started strongly and after just 8 minutes could have gone ahead when a header from point blank range by Melissa Rei was somehow cleared off the line. But it was Malta who took the lead on 12 minutes when a piledriver from outside the box by the brilliant Amy Catania caught Ursula Isnad by surprise the ball ending up in the net.
Malta had another good chance on 17 minutes when a shot by Amberley Borg was saved by Isand. With the wind in their favour, Malta controlled the rest of the half and were unlucky not to add to their tally.
However, Estonia equalized on 59 minutes through a fine move when Elisabeth Ottas released Gerda Matson who made no mistake with a strong angled shot. And a couple of minutes later, Estonia turned the result around when a cross shot by Matson beat Camilleri with the ball taking a wicked turn.
Malta did not react much after that double blow with Estonia controlling proceedings quite comfortably. Anastasija Juzaninova added a third nine minutes from time to put the result beyond any doubt. However Malta managed to grab a goal in stoppage time when they were awarded a penalty with Amy Catania calmly converting and grabbing her brace.
Estonia
Ursula Isand, Jelizaveta Juzaninova (Margaret Matto 69’), Maribel Laidmets, Elisabeth Ottas (Darja Uzjukina 61’), Frida Gabriel (Elizabeth Eberg 61’), Gretlin Pihlak, Mirell Luik (Emma Sofia Pets 73’), Melissa Rei (Laura Aedla 73’), Elsa Krogerus, Gerda Matson, Anastasija Juzaninova
Malta
Katelyn Camilleri, Amy Catania, Erika Cini, Krista Sacco, Martina Mebdez Vazquez, Kay Axiak, Keziah Richard, Alanah Ghio, Amberley Borg (Katrina Catania 46’), Olivia Nazarko, Isabelle Said (Elanya Mallia 46’)
Referee: Ana Afo (POR)
Source: MFA
Photos: MFA
