Malta Relishing The Underdog Status In Maiden League B Matches

Malta’s Women’s National Team will return to competitive international football as debutants in League B against the Northern Ireland and Portugal in the upcoming week. Manuela Tesse has set out clear objectives and suggests that the side is relishing the underdog status brought about by promotion. The core selection is underscored by plenty of experience and youthful ambition, boosted by the return of five players who worked toward promotion from League C.

The Qualifiers

European nations set sights on another international break in which they will kick-off their journeys toward the joint objectives of EURO Qualification and also Nations League promotion and relegation. The teams were drawn into groups depending on their respective League positions in March. With the majority of the domestic leagues reaching the business end of the season, national team coaches are making their picks ahead of the first ties which will start to notch the first points toward their goals.

Each team will play each of the three opponents in the group twice (home and away), making up six matches until July. Following that, their ranking in the group will determine which League they will be playing in the next cycle of Nations League matches. Additionally, the position in the group will also determine their level of opponent in the EURO 2025 Qualification play-offs to be held between September and December of this year. A detailed explanation may be found here.

Objectives & Embracing The Reversal In Status

Malta will be competing in League B, following the promotion achieved last year from League C. Malta’s Women’s National Team will be specifically competing in group B3 against Portugal (FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 21), Bosnia & Herzegovina (63) and the Northern Ireland (46).

Malta’s coach Manuela Tesse was very clear on the team’s objectives as they set out in this new level, “Our aim in the group stages is to be one of the best third placed teams across League B. This will be important to stay in League B. Doing so will also enable us to start dreaming toward EURO qualification in the play-offs.”

Promotion brings with it a new set of challenges. While Malta had a chip on its shoulder for promotion as the best-ranked team in the group in the previous cycle, achieving that goal puts the team in the reversed position of being the lower-ranked one (87) this time round.

However, Manuela Tesse does not appear to be too disheartened by this, “We are the underdogs. I think perhaps many teams are not expecting much from us and in fact maybe many wanted us in their group because we are small. However, we do not mind, we will go in with our best foot forward. We need to be organised and stick together. Every player must give their one hundred percent, not just the eleven but also those players who come in from the bench.”

The Selection

As has become custom, Manuela Tesse’s selection for these opening fixtures features plenty of experience, but with a selection of strong youngsters who appear to be set on continuing to prove their worth at international level. There’s plenty of pace and strength, but also a mix of technical finesse, ahead of two clashes against nations who thrive on fast-paced and physical football.

Asked about the selection, Manuela Tesse rejected the notion that the combination of returns from injuries and new selections following positive club form make this selection the strongest yet. She said, “To be honest no. Every time I select players, I make the selection based on who I believe are the strongest players in that moment. Every time we try to select the players who are doing well with their clubs, who are in form and who we believe can do the job. So, as national team coach I believe that I have the strongest possible selection every time I choose the players, because they are the best in that moment.”

The selection features Janice Xuereb who continues to receive the call-up following a strong finish to the Assikura Women’s League which saw her lift seventh consecutive one with Birkirkara. She is joined by Raisa Costantino who makes a return to the final selection since the final round of the UEFA Women’s Nations League last December. She continues to impress with SPD Tharros in the Serie C in Italy.

Captain Emma Lipman (Como) and Emma Xuereb (Swieqi United) return after having missed out on the previous international period due to injury. Alexandra Gatt (Durham) receives a senior call-up a year on from having last featured as captain of the U19 team in their EURO championships. That last appearance was short-lived after picking up an ACL injury. However, the youngster’s strong return to club duties has caught the eye of Malta’s coaching contingent.

The defensive line-up is completed by the Birkirkara defensive unit of Stephania Farrugia, Valentina Rapa, Ann-Marie Said and Charlene Zammit. They receive the call-up after having provided staunch opposition in the domestic league to lift the title with the best defensive record.

Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians) makes an immediate return to the selection after having missed out in the February window due to injury and is the only change in midfield since February. Rachel Cuschieri (Sampdoria) continues to be a mainstay, having also captained the team during the February window. Returning alongside her are the seasoned duo of Dorianne Theuma (Swieqi United) and Gabriella Zahra (Birkirkara), together with Brenda Borg (Mgarr United) and Shona Zammit (Swieqi United). Finishing the midfield selection are the young duo of Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara) and Yulya Carella (Mgarr United) whose club appearances enable them to continue to notch more experience at senior international level.

In attack, Maya Lucia (Osijek) and Kailey Willis (Venezia) return to the final selection for the first time since the December window, with both impressing for their new clubs since their January transfers. Maria Farrugia (Lewes), Haley Bugeja (Inter), Alishia Sultana (Birkirkara) and Jade Flask (Swieqi United) complete the attacking line-up, having also featured in the February window.

Match Details & How To Follow

The first matchday will be on Friday 5th April. Group B3 will kick off with Northern Ireland welcoming Malta in Belfast at 20:00 CET, followed by Portugal hosting Bosnia & Herzegovina in Leiria at 21:45 CET on the same day.

The second matchday will be on Tuesday 9th April, which will see Malta host Portugal at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali at 18:30 CET, while Bosnia & Herzegovina will host the Northern Ireland.

Matches between Malta and Northern Ireland, as well as Malta and Portugal, are expected to be aired live on TVM Sports+. Ticket and broadcasting details are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

Lead Image: Just One Click Media (Brandon Bonett)

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