Malta Registers Maiden Triumph Over The Faroe Islands

Malta secured a 2 – 0 victory over the Faroe Islands in a friendly organised as part of the Visit Malta Women’s International Friendlies Tournament. Alishia Sultana opened the scoring. Haley Bugeja doubled the lead, after having set up the initial goal. Manuela Tesse and Signe Pries Andersen gave their assessment, together with scorer Alishia Sultana, veteran defender Charlene Zammit and debutant Valentina Rapa.

Team Selections

Malta’s Janice Xuereb started in goal, behind a very familiar back four, identical to that often seen for Birkirkara, in Ann-Marie Said and debutant Valentina Rapa at its width and Charlene Zammit and Stephania Farrugia in its centre. Shona Zammit started just in front of the defence, while Brenda Borg and captain on the night Rachel Cuschieri pulled the strings further forward. Haley Bugeja and Alishia Sultana started in the wide forward roles, while Maria Farrugia led the attack.

Oluva Joensen continued to be trusted in goal for the Faroe Islands. Signe Pries Andersen opted for a back-three consisting of Torunn Hojgaard Joensen, Durita Hummeland and Birita Ryan. Captain Asla Johannesen started on the left wing, while Runa Jacobsen started on the right. Sara Samson Lamhauge and Sunniva Dal Christiansen occupied the midfield. Heidi Sevdal and Klakstein Eydvor supported Tora Mohr in attack.

How It Unfolded

The home side managed to get the ball into the back of the net just minutes into the match, as Maria Farrugia released Haley Bugeja, who converted the effort only to see it ruled out by the offside flag.

Brenda Borg fired a first time effort from the edge of the area as the tenth minute approached, but it rose away from the far corner. On the other hand, Asla Johannesen led by example with a surge forward for the Faroe Islands, but her attempt to release Tora Mohr was read by Charlene Zammit. Heidi Sevdal attempted to play Klakstein Eydvor shortly after, but to no avail.

Malta attempted to work a short corner routine which Maria Farrugia fired into the side netting before the team started to succumb to the press applied by the Faroe Islands. Both coaches were fully immersed trying to get their instructions across, as the match hung in the balance, but neither team could fully make their passes pay off.

Stephania Farrugia denied Asla Johannesen the opportunity for a one on one with the goalkeeper with a well timed tackle, while Tora Mohr forced a save from Janice Xuereb with a low effort. At the other end, Maria Farrugia and Haley Bugeja could not convert a couple of opportunities, while Durita Hummeland did well to intercept a cross from Alishia Sultana.

Half-Time Score: Malta 0 – 0 Faroe Islands

Signe Pries Andersen made a change at the break, bringing on Malena Olsen in direct replacement of Tora Mohr. The Maltese team started on the front foot, with Ann-Marie Said whipping a cross into a danger area, but Oluva Joensen commanded the box well. The team could not convert from a corner, while the Faroe Islands responded with a cross from Runa Jacobsen. Heidi Sevdal flicked goalward but did not get the right connection, resulting in an easy save for Janice Xuereb.

Malta broke the deadlock in the 55th minute through Alishia Sultana. She was well found by Haley Bugeja who flashed a ball across the face of goal, which Malta’s number nine fired low into the net to open the scoring.

The Faroe Islands almost came up with an immediate response as a free-kick delivery from midfield bounced awkwardly in front of Janice Xuereb, but the goalkeeper managed to get fingertips on it.

Having found the first goal, the Maltese exploited the space well to double their lead one minute shy of the hour mark. Maria Farrugia released Haley Bugeja who darted inwards from the left wing, before dinking the ball into the far side of the goal, to the roar of the home crowd who rested a bit easier.

Signe Pries Andersen freshened things up in the 66th minute with three changes. Fridrikka Klementsen, Mona Rasmusdottir and Rebekka Fjallsa Benbakoura took to the pitch, in replacement of Heidi Sevdal, Asla Johannesen and Runa Jacobsen. Birita Ryan took the captain’s armband.

Malta developed a chance shortly after as Haley Bugeja dinked a ball over the top of the defence to find Rachel Cuschieri, but a heavy touch allowed Oluva Joensen to collect. Meanwhile, Sara Samson Lamhauge saw a long-range effort fly just off-target, while Fridrikka Klementsen fired a hopeful effort from the wing which Janice Xuereb collected.

More changes ensued from both coaches. Jensa Kannuberg Torolvsdottir took to the pitch in replacement of Durita Hummeland for the final quarter of an hour. Meanwhile, Malta’s Manuela Tesse made her first switch a double, bringing on Veronique Mifsud and Jessica Dimech in replacement of Brenda Borg and Valentina Rapa.

Malta’s front trio continued on the trot, as Alishia Sultana released Haley Bugeja wide who fired a low cross, which was the right idea, but just behind Maria Farrugia. Malta’s number twenty-one powered past two players on the left wing to deliver another good cross which no one attacked, before trying to release Alishia Sultana behind. However, Oluva Joensen was quick off her line to sweep.

Malta’s Manuela Tesse made two final changes, bringing on Yulya Carella and Jade Flask for the final few minutes of the match, in replacement to the goalscorers on the night Alishia Sultana and Haley Bugeja.

Jade Flask immediately got into the action, found well by Maria Farrugia up the left wing. Malta’s number eleven bent a cross to Rachel Cuschieri who made the run into the box and won a corner for her efforts. However, Malta, like the Faroe Islands, could not make the late corner kick opportunities pay off.

Final Score: Malta 2 – 0 Faroe Islands

Post-Match Reactions

Alishia Sultana got things going for Malta, “We had plenty of chances in the first-half but could not quite convert, while the Faroe Islands were also very strong. However, we combined the tweaks done by the coach and our determination as a team to score two goals and secure a first victory against the Faroe Islands. It is always special to represent the national team and I think this continues help us grow.”

Defender Charlene Zammit returned to the starting eleven following spells on the sidelines through injury. Having been part of the setup that fell to defeat against the Faroe Islands in 2015, the defender was happy to secure the victory and also a clean sheet, “Of course you remember losing and always want to do better. The Faroe Islands were pressing quite high and we were wary of their pace up front. However, as a defence I think we did well to hold them off and then of course we converted our chances to secure the victory. There are always things to improve, but personally it is also great to get back into the team following the injury and maintain a clean sheet.”

Malta’s coach Manuela Tesse cut a frustrated figure in the first-half, before the team went on to find their first goal in the second period. Probed about the tweaks that got the victory over the line she said, “We struggled in the build-up in the first bit, so fixed this a little bit in the second half to utilise Alishia and Haley better against their high full-backs. We also were not clinical with the final passes in the final third in the first half and wanted our midfield to be more compact, so little tweaks.”

She continued, “There is still things to the improve but I understand that when the opponent presses fast, at times players will struggle to play the ball. It was a tough match, but we did better in the second half.”

The Italian nodded to the tough challenge posed by the Faroe Islands, as well as the effect of the three forced changes, “The Faroe Islands have players with a physical presence so certainly it was tough against them. With three big changes, I was worried a bit about ruining the balance that we managed to find last year, but I am very happy with the players because they fought very well. It’s a good way to start the journey toward the next phase.”

Asked about positives despite a tough result, Faroe Islands’ coach Signe Pries Andersen was buoyed by some of the changes implemented in the approach, “Yes, we had a good offensive play to press Malta high and made it hard for them to get the ball behind our defensive line. We created more chances as well, but we need to be more concentrated in the last part of the field to take them.”

The Faroe Islands’ coach made plenty of changes in throughout the second-half and asked about their contribution replied, “I’m quite happy with the contribution. Of course, it is harder to get the rhythm when making so many changes, but I also have to consider where they are physically considering that the season hasn’t started and it’s been bad weather. So they haven’t trained so much and they need to be ready for the match in two days time, so this was also on my mind when making the changes.”

On the other hand, challenged about the late substitutions, Malta’s Manuela Tesse responded, “Most of the players on the bench are very young, so they need to be slowly introduced to the intensity. I don’t want to burn out these players, I want them to be slowly integrated into the team. Also we start in League B immediately in April, so to continue in the trajectory I need to slowly introduce them to maintain the momentum and also to make sure that they integrate well.”

Two final nods were to Jade Flask, who made a return after a year away due injury, and also debutant Valentina Rapa, “I’m very happy for Jade. I did not give her too many minutes, but it was an emotional moment and immediately she was involved well with a great pass. She is another striker to have on board and like this we continue to increase the strength and depth in the national team. This is very important. Valentina Rapa also came in to get her first cap and did very well, so I am also very happy for her.”

In fact, the debutant Valentina Rapa was elated by the opportunity to show her skills on the international stage, “I am very happy to have the faith of the coach and that we managed the victory today. It was very emotional for me during the national anthem, even seeing my parents in the stands. I also had the support of my teammates, which I’m grateful for. It is something you dream of and it’s great to finally realise that. “

Both teams return to action on Sunday as the Faroe Islands take on Albania at 2 pm, following by the clash between Malta and Belarus at 6 pm. Both matches will be played at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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