by Malta secured a 1 – 0 victory against Andorra, courtesy of a strike by Shona Zammit. Malta also struck the crossbar through Haley Bugeja, but could not extend their tally on the night against a hardened & organised Andorran side.
Team Selections
Janice Xuereb started in goal behind a defence featuring two changes. Emma Lipman started alongside debutant Oceane Grange. Fiona Buttigieg made her first start at left-back, while Maya Lucia retained her place on the right. Rachel Cuschieri captained the side, starting alongside Shona Zammit. Lexine Farrugia made her first senior start on the left wing, while Alishia Cassar started on the right wing. Maria Farrugia occupied the number ten position, while Haley Bugeja led the attack.
Alba Martin retained her place in goal. She was protected by a back-five, consisting of Laia Sin, Zoe Planaguma, Laia Sole Palau, Neus Rosas and Paula Marques. Aitana Colobrans, Chloe Izquierdo and Erica Goncalves held the midfield. Maria Ruzafa and Teresa Armengol led the attack.
How It Unfolded
Malta started in front of a sizeable home crowd urging them toward a strong win, but Andorra were unafraid to make their presence known against those in red with an aggressive stance to get to the ball.
Still, it did not take long for Malta to break the deadlock. Haley Bugeja snuck a ball to Lexine Farrugia on the wing who fired in the cross. Alishia Cassar’s initial shot was blocked, but Shona Zammit was lively to place the rebound into the bottom right corner in the 10th minute.
Andorra managed to apply some pressure with a long free-kick on the quarter hour mark, but Malta saw away the danger. Maria Ruzafa tested Janice Xuereb from distance but the Maltese goalkeeper was alert to the shot.
Haley Bugeja responded with an attempt of her own at the other end, but saw it graze the roof of the net. Lexine Farrugia & Haley Bugeja combined once more minutes later, with the former fizzing another cross in. Bugeja applied the touch at the far post but was denied by the crossbar.
Shona Zammit landed in the book within the 20th minute, triggering a series of yellow cards in the match as referee Teresa Oliveira looked to get her control on things.
Andorra had opportunities to put the ball into the box from set-pieces, but found a Maltese defence keen on keeping their clean sheet. In the meantime, neither coach appeared too happy with proceedings, with Manuela Tesse and Albert Panadero Garcia both in full voice from the touchlines.
Malta came close to doubling the lead over the half-hour mark as Rachel Cuschieri delivered a deep free-kick toward Emma Lipman. However, Alba Martin was well positioned to make the save.
Key battles ensued with Rachel Cuschieri closely marked by youngster Chloe Izquierdo, while Haley Bugeja was having both Laia Sole Palau and Neus Rosas in close company. Andorra continued to focus on keeping their shape behind the ball, while Malta struggled to open up the defence any further.
Teresa Armengol was a key driver for the visitors going forward to relieve pressure on transition, but Emma Lipman and Oceane Grange appeared largely untroubled.
Half-Time Score: Malta 1 – 0 Andorra
Manuela Tesse made a double switch at the break, bringing on Jade Flask in the centre of attack, while Alishia Cassar made way. Haley Bugeja swapped to the wing. There was also a direct swap at the back with Charlene Zammit partnering Oceane Grange instead of Emma Lipman.
Malta’s Lexine Farrugia picked up where she left off. Found wide by Jade Flask, the youngster beat her marker before cutting to her right foot to tease a ball toward the far post. Alba Martin rose to the occasion with a spectacular diving save in response.
Further changes ensued from both coaches, with Manuela Tesse making a swap at left-back, bringing on Emma Xuereb for Fiona Buttigieg. Andorra’s Albert Panadero Garcia made a double switch bringing on Ariana Correia in attack, with Ariadna Pernia. Chloe Izquierdo shifted to the wing-back position while Teresa Armengol retreated into midfield.
Malta looked to pile further pressure in search of exerting a dominant scoreline. Maria Farrugia was having more joy in finding space to drive forward, while Lexine Farrugia was often found in support to put the ball into the box. However, the finishing touch lacked from the hosts. The duo came closest in the 70th minute, with a combination that led to Maria Farrugia just seconds late to the return cross for what could likely have been a sure finish.
Tension rose for the hosts as the match ticked on with the scoreline still within reach for Andorra. The visitors were bold in pursuit on transition, but Janice Xuereb was often comfortable in getting to the ball first.
Final changes were made by both coaches as Clara Ber appeared instead of Zoe Planaguma for Andorra, while Nicole Sciberras was pushed into midfield as Haley Bugeja made way for Malta.
Andorra sought to make something happen from deep free-kicks, sneaking a yard or two to the dismay of the local support while the officials were none the wiser. However, Charlene Zammit was often first to head the ball to safety. The Andorran bench escalated their fury at the decisions by the officials, with Teresa Oliveira also dishing out the card at personnel on the bench late on. At the other end, Malta sought to run down the clock from a corner to see away the victory.
Final Score: Malta 1 – 0 Andorra
Standings & Next Matches
Malta register the first three points in the competition, continuing a spotless record against Andorra in the history between the two sides, albeit with a closer scoreline. Cyprus earned a 2 – 1 victory over Georgia in the other match, maximising the points from the opening two matches to take the leader spot in the group.
Malta & Georgia will play a double-header of fixtures in April, with the two equal on points in the table. Cyprus will seek to maintain their positive streak against Andorra, with the latter looking to get off the mark.
Until then, players return to club duties. The Assikura Women’s League returns this Sunday, as Swieqi United host Mgarr United at Dingli Ground at 15:00.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
Make sure to never miss an Assikura Women’s League match by syncing your calendar here.
Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
