by Croatia had all the answers in the second friendly, showing the best response to Friday’s defeat to emerge with a 3 – 0 victory against Malta. The side earned the lead in the final throes of the first half through Maja Joscak. Ivana Rudelic gave the visitors the best start to the second half, before Karla Kurkutovic kept up her goalscoring form to kill of the match with fifteen minutes to spare.
Team Selections
Malta’s Manuela Tesse made a change between the posts, with Maya Cachia trusted in the position. The Sardinian stuck true to her pre-match comments, deploying a back-three with captain Emma Lipman at its core, flanked by Stephania Farrugia and Oceane Grange. Rebecca Bajada and Yulya Carella started as wing-backs. There were no changes in midfield with Rachel Cuschieri, Nicole Sciberras and Shona Zammit continued to form Malta’s engine. Sara Saliba made her first start alongside Maria Farrugia.
There were no changes for Croatia with captain Doris Bacic protecting the goal behind Lucia Orkic, Tea Vracevic, Ana Jelencic and Barbara Zivkovic. Lucija Vunic and Helena Spajic protected the defence. Maja Joscak continued to orchestrate in the number ten position, flanked by Karla Kurkutovic and Janja Canjevac. Ivana Rudelic spearheaded the attack.
How It Unfolded
The match kicked off brightly, with the two sides unshackled and looking to throw themselves into their task. Croatia had the earliest opportunity with Ivana Rudelic in plenty of space to strike on goal. However, Maya Cachia reacted well before Emma Lipman cleared.
At the other end, Rachel Cuschieri tested Doris Bacic twice with the goalkeeper in form to keep the home side out. However, it was Croatia who continued to raise the most alarms targeting the indecision which Karla Kurkutovic pinned down with her runs on the right wing.
Malta were kept in the balance by a last ditch clearance from Emma Lipman, following a cross that Maya Cachia only managed to get a palm on. The visitors continued piling opportunities, with Maya Cachia collecting a corner delivery, before Karla Kurkutovic was released with a chance to caress a volley into the far post, but unable to retain control.
Malta’s goalkeeper showed good reflexes again against a shot from Ivana Rudelic as Malta continued to struggle to keep control of possession.
However, Maria Farrugia inject a positive wave of belief with a blistering run to cut through the midfield, before finding the pass to Rachel Cuschieri who made the run behind. However, Doris Bacic kept herself big to block the left-footed effort from inside the box. Sara Saliba was next to drive toward the defence, but ultimately wide with the shot.
Despite the seeming momentum shift, Croatia finally capitalised on their stronger possession, getting their noses in front in the 41st minute. Lucija Vunic delivering a cross into the far post to find Maja Joscak ready to bury the header into the net.
Half-Time Score: Malta 0 – 1 Croatia
Malta’s Manuela Tesse made a change at the break, bringing on Kailey Willis instead of Yulya Carella, with the side transitioning into a back-four.
However, Croatia doubled their lead just three minutes into the half. Maja Joscak was again involved to deliver a perfectly weighted ball for Ivana Rudelic to run onto in acres of space. The forward lifted it enough to find the far right post against Maya Cachia.
Malta had the opportunity to fire back with a free-kick in good range as Sara Saliba was impeded on her way forward into the box. Referee Rapjan Xhyra attempted to play the advantage, pulling back for the foul as the opportunity ebbed. Rachel Cuschieri beat the wall, but the effort ended in a comfortable collection for Doris Bacic.
Croatia continued to have the major share of possession, with Malta struggling to hold up play despite the towering figure of Kailey Willis up front. Still, Maria Farrugia managed a hopeful shot after backing herself on pace with one swift motion. However, Doris Bacic was untroubled by the long-range effort.
Changes ensued with Malta forced to replace Emma Lipman following a blow to the head, with Maya Lucia coming on and Oceane Grange shifting in the centre of the defence. Brenda Borg made her first return in national team colours following her ACL injury, replacing Rachel Cuschieri, with a change also in goal as Patricia Ebejer replaced Maya Cachia.
However, Croatia took their moment effectively to kill the game off. Malta was static in defending the cross fro Janja Canjevac, with Karla Kurkutovic burying the finish at the far post unchallenged.
Nenad Gracan stuck to his word, with nine substitutions made in the final fifteen minutes, while Malta thrusted Leah Ayres to aid the attack as Shona Zammit made way. Georgiana Mifsud also came in at right-back instead of Rebecca Bajada late on.
Croatia had one final opportunity with Izabela Lojna denied by the post from a free-kick curled from the left wing.
Final Score: Malta 0 – 3 Croatia
Return To Club Football
The match concludes the opportunity to try out things as the teams set sights on the UEFA Women’s European Qualification matches for the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year. February will mark the beginning of the competition, with Malta facing Turkey, Switzerland and Northern Ireland, while Croatia sets sight on Kosovo, Bulgaria and Gibraltar.
Malta’s domestic season returns with the Jubilee Final which will be held on the 8th December. It will pit Mgarr United against Hibernians. Competitions will continue elsewhere as well. In Italy, the Serie A returns on the 6th, with Rachel Cuschieri & Emma Lipman’s Genoa facing Haley Bugeja’s Inter on Sunday, while Maria Farrugia’s Bristol City face former team Sheffield United in their hunt for promotion to the WSL in England.
Lead Image: Brandon Bonett
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