by The Croatian team kicked off their bid to return to League A with a whopping 8-0 victory over Malta in the opening match of the UEFA Women’s U17 EURO Qualifications. Luxembourg also opened with a 1-0 victory over Azerbaijan.
Team News
Croatia’s Bozidar Miletic fielded Nika Radolovic in goal. The defence was composed of Lana Ciglevic, Helena Lesic, Mia Pestic and Stefani Tomic. Ivona Oto sat in front of the defence, while Stefani Tomic, Lea Maricic, Ana Grdisa, Petra Bandula and captain Stela Veseli occupied the midfield. The attack was spearheaded by Marija Dosen.
Malta’s Vince Galea opted to start Erika Muscat in goal. She was protected by a back four of Thea Scicluna, Amber Galea, Aisha Micallef and Leanne Frendo. Francesca Bartolo was accompanied by Ema Micallef and Amelia Vassallo in midfield. The attack was composed of Kaysia Micallef, Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and captain Lexine Farrugia.
How It Unfolded
The Croatian side made their intentions of a return to League A clear, by taking charge of the game in search of the opening goal early on, forcing Erika Muscat into a number of saves. Despite this, they had to wait until the twenty-fifth minute to find the opener, which came through the captain, Stela Veseli. The team kept up the momentum and doubled the lead forty minutes into the match, thanks to Marija Dosen. Mia Pestic added another goal in injury time, sending the Croatians into the break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Malta’s coach Vince Galea attempted to shake things up at the change of ends by making two substitutions. Lisa Calleja and Nyorah Celeste took to the field in replacement of Ema Micallef and Suzanne Farrugia Sacco.
Despite this, the Croatians picked up where they left off and Dosen doubled her tally five minutes into the half. Malta’s coach looked to his bench again following the hour mark, bringing on Ilona Abela in replacement of Amber Galea. His counterpart Miletic responded with three changes in the 68th minute. Luana Vanjak, Magda Vrtaric and Antonela Grgic replaced Ivona Oto, Lana Ciglevic and Lea Maricic.
The fifth goal came from a corner-kick which Ana Grdisa delivered to tee up Helena Lesic in the seventy-fourth minute. The goal was Grdisa’s last action of the match, who was replaced by Samantha Alic. Meanwhile, Malta’s Lexine Farrugia made way for Maia Gauci. Croatia’s captain Stela Veseli was also given an early rest by Karla Zuljevic six minutes from time.
The hosts kept up the intensity and Mia Pestic found the sixth in the eighty-fifth minute following a corner delivered by substitute Samantha Alic. Nilayza Attard made a late appearance for Malta in replacement of Amelia Vassallo. Croatia were not satisfied with the tally and added another through Luana Vanjak in injury time, before forcing Malta into an own goal in the dying moments.
Final Score: Croatia 8 – 0 Malta
Next Matches
The scoreline did not flatter the Croatians, who registered a total of twenty-seven attempts, fifteen of which were on target. Meanwhile, Malta struggled to get a foothold in attack, registering just three attempts, two of which were on goal.
The other match in Group B3 saw Luxembourg beat Azerbaijan by a single goal from Lena Alves in the seventy-fifth minute. This means that Croatia and Luxembourg take all points on the opening day, with Croatia leading the pack on goal difference.
The second set of matches will be played on Thursday 5th October. Croatia will host Azerbaijan at noon, which will be followed by Luxembourg welcoming Malta at 15:30.
Lead Image: Malta FA
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[…] victories to their name, things started on a sour note as the team opened their commitments with a heavy 8-0 defeat against Croatia. The Croatians went on to have a perfect tournament with three wins out of three to get themselves […]