Malta Comeback To Get Promotion Secured

Malta secured promotion by coming back to a 2-1 victory against Latvia, in front of 1,008 spectators. Karlina Miksone opened the scoring from the spot, but Kailey Willis and Maria Farrugia sealed the place in League B for Malta. Full report with reactions from Maria Farrugia, Rachel Cuschieri and Emma Lipman.

Team Selections

Malta’s Manuela Tesse stuck to the defence and midfield that took to the pitch against Moldova. Janice Xuereb started in goal, protected by Emma Xuereb, Stephania Farrugia, captain Emma Lipman and Ann-Marie Said. Rachel Cuschieri, Nicole Sciberras and Brenda Borg continued their stay in the centre of the park. The only two changes from the line-up that took to the field against Moldova were made in attack. Kailey Willis replaced Ylenia Carabott in the centre of attack, while Alishia Sultana started ahead of Maria Farrugia on the wing. The attack was completed by Haley Bugeja.

Meanwhile, Latvia’s Romans Kvacovs kept faith in the experience of captain goalkeeper Enija-Anna Vaivode. There was one change in defence from the team that took to the pitch against Andorra, with Anna Flakse returning beside Anastasija Rocane. Sandra Voitane and Paula Linina continued protecting the flanks. There were also no changes in midfield as Anna Gornela and Anna Valaka retained their place in front of the defence, with Viktorija Zaicikova orchestrating further forward. Anastasija Poluhovica bumped herself into the starting eleven on the wing, with Olga Sevcova retaining her place on the opposite side. Karlina Miksone was the central threat up front.

Cagey Opening Half

The 1,008 spectators filtered into the stands and the game opened to the drumming of Maltese support. However, it was Latvia who had the first dangerous play by playing through the Maltese press, allowing Olga Sevcova to attempt to release Karlina Miksone seven minutes into it. However, Emma Lipman intercepted for corner. Olga Sevcova’s delivery was cleared by Kailey Willis and Malta responded with Rachel Cuschieri who burst forward on the counter. She picked out Brenda Borg but Sandra Voitane won the ball.  

The tactical battle ensued with Emma Xuereb and Alishia Sultana tasked with keeping Olga Sevcova quiet on the wing. Karlina Miksone was contending with the two centre-backs, while Anastasija Poluhovica was having joy on the right wing. At the other end, Kailey Willis was holding up the ball well against Anastasija Rocane and Anna Flakse, while Sandra Voitane was continuously on the lookout for any ball targeted to release Haley Bugeja.

Latvia managed the first header toward Janice Xuereb from a free-kick which Anastasija Poluhovica helped on but was unable to get the right power on it. The visitors managed to get Karlina Miksone on the ball in the box a few minutes later but Emma Lipman got a foot in to deny her the opportunity to shoot on the turn.

Malta responded in the 28th minute with Kailey Willis attempting the spectacular to convert a cross from Ann-Marie Said. However, the bicycle kick sailed just inches from the post.

Latvia’s Miksone caught Brenda Borg dawdling on the turn and surged forward with the ball. However, Stephania Farrugia marshalled her onto the weaker left foot, with Miksone ultimately dragging the low shot wide.

Malta had two opportunities to put the ball into the box from dead-ball situations late in the half but could not get any strike on. Rachel Cuschieri also got Malta into a quick transition but Willis could not get power on the header from the cross.

Half-Time Score: Malta 0 – 0 Latvia

Latvia Ahead

Malta’s Tesse flinched first at half-time, bringing on Maria Farrugia in a direct swap with Alishia Sultana. Malta conceded a cheap corner which brought on further trouble as the referee pointed to the spot. Karlina Miksone eyed Janice Xuereb, but as the home crowd delivered their chants, the striker placed a low shot into the net to get Latvia ahead.

The visitors looked to make it two from a free-kick which Olga Sevcova delivered toward the far post, creeping just wide of the mark. Malta responded by earning themselves a corner, but it was well defended by Latvia at the far post.

Willis & Farrugia Complete Malta Comeback

The home side kept building, with Rachel Cuschieri using her experience well to win a free-kick on the left wing. Although the Latvians kept it out, the home side kept growing. Counter-attacking the counter-attack, Maria Farrugia rode a challenge to drive forward and return to Cuschieri out on the wing. She pinged a cross and this time, Kailey Willis caressed a header into the right corner sending those in the stands roaring on their feet two minutes shy of the hour mark.

Olga Sevcova tried to test Janice Xuereb from distance but was wide of the mark, while the game heated up in midfield with tackles flying every way. Meanwhile, Malta kept surging forward and Haley Bugeja almost teed up Maria Farrugia just a few minutes later, but she got underneath the header. The two combined again after Stephania Farrugia picked out Farrugia, who cut inside before releasing Bugeja. However, she dragged the left-footed shot wide. Malta kept up the ante but a free-kick delivery was thwarted by Anna Flakse.

Despite this, Maria Farrugia completed the come-back to send the hosts ahead. Rachel Cuschieri latched onto a ball in midfield before finding Farrugia on the wing. The substitute cut onto her left and placed into the bottom left corner to send the crowd into an even bigger uproar and the Malta bench on their feet in the 72nd minute.

Romans Kvacovs responded with an attack-minded change, taking off Anna Flakse and bringing on Diana Suvitra. Karlina Miksone managed a shot on the turn but Janice Xuereb was equal to it, before Olga Sevcova attempted to catch the goalkeeper out from distance.

Manuela Tesse was still in full voice and brought on Shona Zammit in replacement of Nicole Sciberras for the final fifteen minutes of the match, just as the rain started to pour. The hosts almost added to their tally in injury time with a counter-attack that saw Rachel Cuschieri released by Maria Farrugia. Although the visitors tried to make something happen, Malta were in full game management mode and saw out the match. The full-time whistle blew to eruptions from those in red.

Full-Time Score: Malta 2 – 1 Latvia

Malta will thus compete in League B, while Latvia will be drawn for a promotion play-off against one of the third-placed best ranked teams in League B.

Post-Match Reactions

Super-substitute Maria Farrugia was involved in the creation of the first goal, while also bagging the second. She said, “I went into the match with the intention of doing whatever is possible to help the team and I am happy that we managed to turn the result around.” She continued, “Despite Latvia scoring the penalty, the team was really motivated and focused to get back into it. We worked together, got the first goal and then kept going with the momentum. It is difficult to describe the emotions of scoring, other than absolute elation. However, also credit to the team for staying focused even after so we could see it through.”

Rachel Cuschieri’s leadership shone in the match as the team came back to ensure promotion, “At the point of going a goal down, we knew that we had nothing to lose and kept believing. I’ve been playing with the national team for around eighteen years so I am aware that I need to lead by example. I believed in the team and in myself that we could do it, and I am happy that we managed to get a win that I think we merited.”

Probed about the crowd, which is a record-breaker for a women’s national team match, Maria Farrugia said, “We felt the support and it is extremely important when you go into those final pressure moments of the match. Hopefully, these numbers keep growing.”

Meanwhile, captain Emma Lipman summed up the performance of the team, “We had a great game-plan. We knew we were a bit nervous against Moldova and we did not want to make the same mistake twice. Obviously, Latvia have a strong attack and we were prepared for this. However, even despite going a goal down, the team kept pushing with passion in heart to get the result.”

Images: Dorienne Grech

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