by The first matchday in Group C2 continued to provide plenty of drama as Malta secured a 3 – 2 victory over Georgia, while Andorra held leaders Cyprus to a 2 – 2 draw away from home. A brace by Maria Farrugia and a goal by Haley Bugeja gave Malta a lead that was sufficient despite goals from Teona Bakradze and Natia Danelia. Teresa Armengol fired a brace to ensure a point for Andorra against goals by Antri Violari and Eirini Michail.
Team Selections
Tatia Gabunia captained Georgia and started between the sticks behind a back-line consisting of Gvantsa Kadagishvili (2), Mariam Kalandadze (21), Salome Gasviani (16) and Nino Chkhartishvili (4). Natia Danelia (6) and Nino Pasikashvili (3) started in midfield. Nino Bukhrikidze (19) and Teona Bakradze (10) started on the flanks while Tatiana Matveeva (7) supported Tinatin Ambalia (15) in attack.
Janice Xuereb started in goal for Malta, behind a defensive quartet composed of Emma Xuereb, Oceane Grange, captain Emma Lipman and Maya Lucia. Rachel Cuschieri orchestrated in midfield alongside Nicole Sciberras and Shona Zammit. Maria Farrugia and Haley Bugeja supported Kailey Willis in attack.
How It Unfolded
Proceedings were opened by referee Elvira Nurmustafina under the Georgian twilight with two teams embroiled in a tense opening. Malta sought to rotate play with a good rhythm, while Georgia were focused on breaking with pace. However, both defences were earning their money, with neither side registering any dangerous shots within the opening twenty minutes.
The Maltese side managed to break with purpose in the twentieth minute, with Nicole Sciberras feeding Haley Bugeja into space who drove forward. The number twenty-one snuck a forward pass, but Tatia Gabunia snuffed out the ball ahead of Maria Farrugia.
Bugeja was involved in the creation of another opportunity cutting back a pass from the byline. However, Mariam Kalandadze cleared ahead of Kailey Willis who was poised for the shot. Malta insisted with Shona Zammit doing enough for the Georgian defence to relinquish possession to Rachel Cuschieri. The number eight drove in the cross, but the Georgian defence were first to the ball in the air once again.
However, the visitors got their reward for persistence in the 28th minute. Maya Lucia ventured in the midfield, before squaring the ball to Haley Bugeja. She whipped the cross toward Maria Farrugia who nudged a rare header into the back of the net for the opener.
The home side responded with a counter-attack seconds later, through Nino Bukhrikidze whose run was well picked in between the defenders. However, her effort fizzed over the bar.
However, Malta backed up the initial goal through Haley Bugeja who doubled the lead on the half-hour mark. The visitors’ Kailey Willis applied pressure from the front, nicking possession in the final third. Rachel Cuschieri played the forward pass immediately to release Bugeja who was already on the trot. The forward drove into the box before firing a low effort across into the far left post.
The visitors continued to hold the driving seat, unrelenting in pressure with the full-backs keen on joining the attack. Emma Xuereb let fly from outside the edge of the box but found Tatia Gabunia equal to it.
Frustration grew at the officials from the home team as Tinatin Ambalia was booked for a foul on Janice Xuereb before the side felt the visitors earned a dubious corner. Malta threatened once more with Rachel Cuschieri finding the six-yard box with the delivery. Tatia Gabunia got something on it but the clearance fell to Haley Bugeja who tried to direct the header goalward. However, the defence saw it out wide of the post. Still, Malta pushed for more, with Maria Farrugia causing pressure in chasing a forward ball, with Tatia Gabunia doing enough to block the attempted lob.
However, the visitors got the third just before the break. The connection between Rachel Cuschieri and Maria Farrugia continued to be crucial, with the number eight feeding a perfectly weighted ball for the number ten to chase between the defenders before firing a left-boot to beat Gabunia with power.
Half-Time Score: Georgia 0 – 3 Malta
Iris Antman made a change at the break, bringing on Maiko Bebia instead of Nino Bukhrikidze in attack. Malta picked up where they left off with a bright start and positive play in search for more. The side applied a high press with Maria Farrugia and Haley Bugeja both driving at defenders. However, Tatia Gabunia was holding off the attempts.
Georgia responded with an opportunity to threathen from a free-kick on the right wing. A low drive into Teona Bakradze was laid for Nino Pasikashvili to hit first time. However, the effort fizzed off target.
Still the home side got a goal back moments later. Tatiana Matveeva applied the press to win the ball in the final third, before squaring it to Teona Bakradze who fired into the gaping net just before the hour mark.
Iris Antman pushed more fresh legs into the fold with Sopiko Narsia replacing Nino Chkhartishvili. However, Malta were looking to quash any momentum for the home team getting close with a free-kick routine. Shona Zammit passed it from the shooting position, with Haley Bugeja firing the shot on the turn. Tatia Gabuni got the palm on it but dropped it into a sea of white shirts. Rachel Cuschieri drove the finish, but wide of the mark from close range.
The veteran sought to make up for it with a long-range effort moments later, but this time was denied by the crossbar. Shona Zammit and Kailey Willis both drove further attempts for Malta but the side could not extend.
Sandwiched between, Georgia continued pushing forward with their never-say-die attitude to reduce the deficit. Teona Bakradze continued causing havoc between the centre-back duo Emma Lipman and Oceane Grange. However, luckily for the visitors she skewed the effort wide.
Late changes were made by both coaches. Manuela Tesse drove down the clock with introductions for senior debutant Jana Barbara and youngster Lexine Farrugia, who replaced Shona Zammit and Kailey Willis respectively. Yulya Carella and Fiona Buttigieg also made late appearance instead of Haley Bugeja and Emma Xuereb.
Iris Antman introduced Lizi Mtskerashvili instead of Tatiana Matveeva late on.
Having earned the goal for the side, Teona Bakradze continued to trouble Malta, earning a penalty for her country in injury time. Janice Xuereb denied Maiko Bebia but was deemed to have infringed the rules, with Elvira Nurmustafina ordering the kick to be re-taken. This time Natia Danelia stepped up and fired a centrally raised effort to close the gap to just one. However, Malta held off to secure the three points.
Final Score: Georgia 2 – 3 Malta
Standings & Next Matches
Malta take their tally to six points, to separate themselves in second place. The two nations will travel to Malta to play the reverse encounter on Tuesday at 19:00 CET at the Centenary Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase online.
The other match in Group C2 brought more drama to the competition as Andorra continued to prove their rise by securing a historic point, holding Cyprus to a 2 – 2 draw away from home. Teresa Armengol scored the brace for Andorra, with Antri Violari and Eirini Michail finding the net for Cyprus. The two will meet again on Tuesday at Andorra’s national stadium, with the match beginning at 20:00 CET.
Lead Images: Elise Bajada / Malta FA
Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
