by Malta and Hungary finished their friendly in a 1-1 draw. Hungary’s Henrietta Csiszar inspired Hungary to break the deadlock just on the restart, but the lead was not held for long as Haley Bugeja converted from the spot for Malta. Hungary peppered Malta’s goal but the two teams ultimately ended the match all square. It is the first time Malta has avoided defeat against Hungary in the women’s game.
Team Selections
Malta’s Manuela Tesse gave Giulia D’Antuono her first official senior start in goal. She was protected by a four piece defence consisting of captain Emma Lipman and Charlene Zammit at its centre, while Emma Xuereb and Maya Lucia provided the width. Gabriella Zahra started in midfield alongside Nicole Sciberras and Shona Zammit. Haley Bugeja partnered Brenda Borg further forward, while Maria Farrugia led the line.
On the other hand, Lauren Brzykcy started between the posts for Hungary. She was protected by a back four consisting of Laura Kovacs, Fanni Nagy, Hanna Nemeth and Diana Nemeth. Captain Henrietta Csiszar orchestrated in midfield in partnership with Diana Csanyi, while Dora Zeller and Viktoria Szabo started on the flanks. Anna Csiki and Emoke Papai starred in attack.
How It Unfolded
Hungary took control of the early possession, with the midfield duo Henrietta Csiszar and Diana Csanyi pushing forward to open passages of play while also keen on getting into the box.
Dora Zeller and Viktoria Szabo were both having plenty of joy in getting crosses into the box, but Malta’s defensive partnership between Emma Lipman and Charlene Zammit was holding off the threat with interceptions.
The Hungarian team earned their first major opportunity in the 24th minute with quick passing to release Diana Csanyi behind the defence and onto goal in the box. However, the effort crept wide of the mark.
Despite this, the chance invigorated the visitors who backed it up with further opportunities and caused more alarm bells in Malta’s box just over the half-hour mark. Henrietta Csiszar fired an effort, forcing a parry by Giulia D’Antuono, before the goalkeeper and Charlene Zammit worked it between them for D’Antuono to suffocate the ball.
At the other end, Malta’s threat was nullified by Hungary, while at times the home side appeared more keen on holding the ball. The threatening speed of Maria Farrugia’s in attack was largely unusued, with the midfield looking to send the ball back and hold possession, instead of unleashing the speedster.
On their part Hungary worked to win the ball back and continue on their search for the opening goal. Anna Csiki and Diana Csanyi combined with another cross, but the latter could not direct goalward, before Dora Zeller was invited to shoot from distance but off target with the finish.
Diana Csanyi was denied by the crossbar from a direct corner kick, before Malta had a final opportunity in injury time from a corner which was not taken quickly enough to trouble Hungary before the break.
Half-Time Score: Malta 0 – 0 Hungary
Malta’s Manuela Tesse made one attacking change at the break, bringing on Kailey Willis to spearhead the attack, sacrificing Gabriella Zahra. The change pushed Maria Farrugia in partnership with Haley Bugeja, while Brenda Borg retreated into the trio in midfield.
Hungary appeared to have put their half-time team-talk into action from the off. A ball launched by Fanni Nagy released Emoke Papai behind on the left wing. The forward put the ball into the box from the byline, with Henrietta Csiszar leading the side by example, arriving late to fire a half volley into the back of the net and break the deadlock.
The visitors looked to use momentum and strike with another similar attack shortly after, but this time found Giulia D’Antuono ready to pounce at the near post.
Malta were inspired into attack with Haley Bugeja taking the reigns to switch play. Bugeja squared it to Nicole Sciberras, who found Brenda Borg in space. The number seventeen immediately released Maria Farrugia on the left who closed into the box and was dispossessed in trying to open the half-space for the shot. However, referee Maria Marotta pointed to the spot to the dismay of the visitors.
Haley Bugeja stepped up, firing into the left post and into the net to equalise the score, despite Lauren Brzykcy doing well to dive to the correct side.
Having seen their lead slip away, Hungary continued to show character by creating chance after chance. Anna Csiki troubled with another forward chase, finding Emma Xuereb ready to clear at the near post, before Giulia D’Antuono commanded the aerial delivery from the resulting corner to relieve pressure.
Malta’s debutant in goal was up to the task once more just four minutes later to parry a venomous strike by Diana Csanyi, before Kailey Willis headed away the resulting corner delivery. Giulia D’Antuono was at full stretch just after the hour mark to deny Diana Csanyi once more.
Alexandra Szarvas looked to her bench to continue piling pressure. Henrietta Csiszar gave way to Evelin Fenyvesi, with the latter also taking the captain’s armband. Zsanett Kajan also took to the field instead of Emoke Papai in attack.
The Hungarians attempted to get on the money with free-kick opportunities but neither Zsanett Kajan, nor Diana Csanyi could find the net. Zsanett Kajan came closest in the final six minutes of the match, striking the crossbar with Giulia D’Antuono potentially getting something on the ball on its way to just keep it out.
Further changes ensued from Hungary with Cecilia Meszaros, Viktoria Nagy and Kinga Sikler all making appearances, while Jessica Dimech and Ylenia Carabott also took to the field for Malta in the final throes of the match.
Both sides questioned the Italians’ officiation decisions as the match headed to its end. A questionable back-pass from Malta earned plenty of shouts from Hungary, while the home-side questioned a corner kick amid other incidents. Hungary kept up the pressure in search of finding the winning goal until the end, but Malta did just enough, with the two teams ending the match all square.
Final-Score: Malta 1 – 1 Hungary
Return To Domestic Football
Malta manage to avoid defeat for the first time since holding off Northern Ireland at Windsor Park last April which will boost confidence considering the similarity in ranking between Northern Ireland and Hungary in the world rankings at 45th and 46th respectively, against Malta’s ranking at 86th in the world.
Although Hungary walk away with a first non-victory against Malta despite controlling the match, they still very much hold the lead in the head to head in their favour with three wins in four encounters.
The international break comes to a close with this match. Players will return to club duties with domestic leagues re-igniting for a final stint before the Christmas break. The Italian Serie A will initiate on Friday 6th, while England’s Women’s Super League returns on Sunday the 8th.
Malta’s Assikura Women’s League return this Saturday 7th with the double-header at Dingli Ground, as Valletta face leaders Hibernians (14:00), followed by the bottom of the table clash between Lija Athletic and Mtarfa (16:30).
The next weekend also presents the first taste of silverware for the season in Malta for Birkirkara or Swieqi United in the Super Cup. The Centenary Stadium will play host to the final on Sunday 8th at 14:00. Tickets are available for purchase online.
Lead Image: Elise Bajada
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