by Malta’s Women’s U19 side face Romania this morning (11 am, Centenary Stadium) in the first of two purposeful friendlies that form part of their preparation for April’s qualification matches. Underlining the challenges of a limited player pool, David Attard sees the fixtures as another opportunity to build experience at international level and reward the commitment shown by the group. Malta’s coach stressed the importance of facing challenges head on in preparation for qualification and ultimately, senior international football.
Friendlies Set To Prepare For Qualification Test
Malta’s Women’s U19 National Team will be playing two friendlies against Romania in preparation for the UEFA European Qualification matches to be played in April. The first friendly against Romania will be played early this morning at 11 am, before a second friendly on Monday at 14:00 at the Centenary Stadium.
David Attard welcomed the opportunity, “This is a great milestone for the group. Every single window this season, our players have had the opportunity to face international opposition, and that’s something we’re very proud.”
The friendlies mark a continuation of the positives set through November’s friendlies where the team faced another foreign test from Lebanon’s national U19 team.
Discussing the opposition, the Malta coach suggested that the test will be one that builds on the progress, “Romania are a strong side. Their quality and the strides they’ve made in their development over recent years speak for themselves. It will be a tough challenge, and that’s exactly what we want. Every game at international level teaches us something and that learning feeds directly into the next one.”
Indeed the matches are preparation for the competitive European Qualifications which will be played in April, where the team will face Israel, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan between the 9th and 15th of April. The team will be competing in League B with an opportunity to get promoted to League A should they top the group.
Given that the Maltese side has faced both Israel and Kazakhstan recently, David Attard noted that the team will be well versed on what to expect. However, Bulgaria will be one to watch as well, “Bulgaria is a strong team who competed in League A against some very tough opposition, so we’re expecting a difficult challenge. That’s no different to how we approach every game.”
Bulgaria were relegated from League A, having faced Sweden, the Republic of Ireland and Poland. Given that Romania topped their group in December to achieve promotion into League A, David Attard remarked the relevance of the friendlies, “Romania gives us another opportunity to test ourselves at a high level and come out the other side better prepared.”
Challenges Are Part Of The Process
In its best moments, football brings plenty of passion on the touchline, that translates on the pitch and into the stands. However, youth football often demands patience — especially when development requires players to take risks under pressure.
In his comments David Attard always mentioned a desire to allow players to play from the back and build confidence against opposition pressure. Despite the national team’s exploits drawing criticism at times, Attard insisted that though looking for ways to adapt, the approach to build football remains non-negotiable, even when mistakes occur, “Our philosophy within the National Team is dynamic. We constantly review and adapt based on what we’re learning and what our players need. But playing from the back isn’t a gimmick or something we’re doing for the sake of it. It’s one of the core pillars of how we want our players to develop. They need to be comfortable on the ball, confident in pressure situations and versatile enough to handle different demands at senior level.”
“Yes, there have been moments where it’s cost us but those are calculated risks. If we shy away from it every time it gets difficult, we’re not actually developing anything. We see these challenges as part of the process. We won’t be changing that philosophy. If anything, fixtures like these against Romania are another chance to build on it ahead of the competitive games.”
Giving Room To Grow
The selection features a very tight group in defence, featuring just five players in Lara May Azzopardi (Birkirkara FC), Francesca Bartolo (Hibernians FC), Angele Fenech (Lija Mgarr FC), Amber Galea (Hibernians FC) and Thea Ida Scicluna (Swieqi United).
The squad is also missing their captain Lexine Farrugia, together with potential striker Sara Saliba, with the duo part of Manuela Tesse’s provisional senior squad selection for the matches against Turkey and Switzerland. Emma Flannery, who was part of the U19 squad in November for the first time, has made the senior provisional call-up as well.
Asked about the limited defensive options against the wider challenge of bridging the gap between U17, U19 and senior level, David Attard began with a sobering point, “Yes, we are short in defence at the moment. Some players are carrying injuries and unfortunately, others have stepped away from the game due to personal commitments. And that last point is a big challenge.”
“The pool of players isn’t enormous, so when you lose someone, you feel it. All credit to the players who are still here and still committed. They’re juggling a lot. Life doesn’t stop for football and the local system doesn’t always make it easy to prioritise sport the way you’d want. I have huge respect for every single one of them.”
David Attard, Women’s U19 Coach
Highlighting the differences of the youth squads to senior level, Attard stressed that the primary objective at youth level is to expose players to international level and help them reach the potential to step up into the senior squad.
However, the U19 coach underscored that at senior level, the expectation changes, “The gap between U17 and U19 is manageable. But between U19 and senior level, it’s significant. It’s not just about football quality, it’s about professionalism, daily standards, how you look after your body, how you train. If players aren’t doing that consistently, the jump is very hard to make.”
As with any nation, the pool becomes smaller at senior level, but the Malta coach emphasised that though few make it, that jump is the pride of every youth coach, “When we do see young players earn their place in the senior squad, it genuinely brings us joy. That’s what all of this is for.”
Though missing some leaders, it opens space for those in the selection to stand up and be counted. The selection features several returning faces who will be looking to build on their exploits. It also features players that could be testing waters for the first time, including Geona Muscat, Somaya Muscat, Jasmine Camilleri and Phoebe Camilleri.
With preparation complete, attention now turns to how this group responds on the pitch. The teams kick off at 11:00 at the Centenary Stadium. The match will be free to attend and also live-streamed on the Malta FA Youtube Channel.
Full Selection:
Goalkeepers – Erika Muscat (Swieqi United), Geona Mari Muscat (San Gwann FC), Maya Muscat (Hibernians FC)
Defenders – Lara May Azzopardi (Birkirkara FC), Francesca Bartolo (Hibernians FC), Angele Fenech (Lija Mgarr FC), Amber Galea (Hibernians FC), Thea Ida Scicluna (Swieqi United)
Midfielders – Nilayza Attard (San Gwann FC), Shana Farrugia (Hibernians FC), Stella Francalanza (Birkirkara FC), Shannen Mallia (Swieqi United), Ema Micallef (Swieqi United), Somaya Muscat (Valletta FC), Thais Muscat (San Gwann FC)
Forwards – Lisa Calleja (Hibernians FC), Jasmine Camilleri (Birkirkara FC), Phoebe Camilleri (Valletta FC), Nyorah Celeste (Hibernians FC), Suzanne Farrugia Sacco (Hibernians FC)
Lead Image: Malta FA
Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
