by Malta and Moldova are one day away from their second ever encounter. Ahead of tomorrow’s UEFA Women’s Nations League clash, take a look at the protagonists of the first meet, who could be returning or making their first appearance, and recent form.
A Single Encounter
Like Malta, Moldova has a relatively short history in the women’s game, having celebrated its 100th game last July. Moldova and Malta have only met once before, in February of last year. The match was played at the Tony Bezzina Stadium and ended in favour of the hosts, Malta, by 3-1.
The two teams were locked level at half-time, as Moldova’s Daniela Mardari cancelled Charlene Zammit’s opener for Malta just before half time. However, Jade Flask nudged Malta back into the lead a minute into her appearance following the break, before Haley Bugeja put the result to bed with a strike in the seventy-third minute.
The Protagonists
The recency of the fixture means that both sides featured several established players who could be returning to the pitch tomorrow. On Malta’s side, Rachel Cuschieri, Shona Zammit, Nicole Sciberras, Ann-Marie Said, Maria Farrugia, Brenda Borg and Jessica Dimech all featured in that match. Maya Cachia was also in goal that day, who is also among the twenty-two selected by Manuela Tesse for this round of fixtures.
Similarly, Moldova featured Natalia Munteanu in goal, while Anastasia Sivolobova, Eugenia Railean, Irina Topal, Nadejda Colescnicenco, Claudia Chiper and Mihaela Burdeniuc were all among the first-eleven and could feature in the match. The late Violeta Mitul was also on the pitch that day.
On the other hand, Cristina Cerescu, Anastasia Toma and Iuliana Colnic could be among the new features for Moldova, while Leah Ayres, Emma Xuereb, Raina Giusti, Emma Lipman, Gabriella Zahra, Georgiana Mifsud and Janice Xuereb could also be facing Moldova for the first time.
Different Dugouts & Recent Form
Despite the overlap in players who could be taking to the pitch, both sides have made changes to their head coaches since then. Moldova are currently led by Nicolae Bunea who took over in July, but was involved in the coaching staff of the women’s national team between 2016 and 2019. Meanwhile, Malta started afresh in January by appointing former Italian international Manuela Tesse, who brought coaching experience from Italy, Canada and Trinidad & Tobago.
Considering his recent appointment, Bunea is likely still imparting his philosophy. Bunea’s term was ignited by a 2-1 victory over Montenegro, following which the Moldovan team also suffered a 5-0 loss agains the same side. The side fell to a 2-1 defeat against Andorra in the opening match of the UEFA Women’s Nations League on Friday.
On the other hand Manuela Tesse has had a bit longer to find her feet in the role. She steered the side to victories over Luxembourg and Estonia, before falling to a defeat against Haiti in July. Malta’s opening match in the UEFA Women’s Nations League saw them beat Latvia by 1-0.
The two will meet at the Centenary Stadium tomorrow at 26th September at 20:00 for the second match of the UEFA Women’s Nations League. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door.
Lead Image: Domenic Aquilina
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[…] two countries met in the Visit Malta Trophy in February of 2022, which was the only encounter between the two. Although many players that featured then could feature in the match tonight, both teams will be […]