by Malta U17 enter their UEFA qualifiers aiming to build on encouraging U16 performances, with Clint Tabone highlighting the squad’s development and potential. The hosts face Lithuania, Belarus and Estonia in a group shaped by both competitive and external factors at the Centenary Stadium.
U16 Progress And Squad Continuity Shape Malta’s Approach To Upcoming UEFA Qualifiers
Malta’s Women’s U17 National Team will take to the pitch for their UEFA European Qualifiers against Lithuania, Belarus and Estonia, with the upcoming fixtures offering both a competitive test and a continuation of a broader developmental pathway within the national setup.
Malta will kick off on Friday at 15:00, followed by a clash against Belarus on Monday 30th March at 14:30. The final match will be played on Thursday 2nd April at 11:00 against Estonia. All matches will be played at the Centenary Stadium and will be live-streamed on the Malta FA Youtube Channel as well for those unable to attend.
The matches arrive on the back of a recent UEFA Development Tournament at U16 level, where Malta recorded victories over the Faroe Islands and Moldova, alongside a heavier defeat to Bosnia & Herzegovina — results that reflected both progress and the ongoing challenges faced at this stage of development.
Head coach Clint Tabone viewed the performances as aligned with the principles set out prior to the tournament, “Obviously, when you get two wins out of three matches, it already shows that the players performed with courage. It is true that the defeat had a different result, but it does not take away from the good performance we had in that game.”
The transition between age groups remains a central theme, with several players expected to feature across both levels depending on readiness and eligibility.
From Tabone’s perspective, the gap between age groups is not necessarily defined by ability, but rather by experience and exposure, “Honestly, I have great confidence in the younger players and I don’t see a big gap in ability, even though there are differences in age. I believe that with this squad we will compete with, there is strong potential for us to keep developing further.”
Focus On Performance Amid External Context
Malta and Lithuania’s contingents will be familiar with each other well having faced each other in November, with Lithuania emerging with a 3 – 1 victory, a result which Malta will hope to improve on.
The qualification group has also drawn attention beyond the pitch, with Lithuania and Estonia reportedly unwilling to face Belarus due to political considerations.
Malta, however, have opted to fulfil all scheduled fixtures — a decision that may influence the structure of the group and the demands placed on the squad.
Tabone acknowledged the potential impact, while keeping the focus firmly on performance, “Obviously, the mentality must always be positive. I know there is always a physical element to deal with, but I believe in the players I have selected for this tournament, and our aim is to achieve positive results. Political factors might have some impact in terms of us possibly playing more matches than our opponents, but that will not stop us from giving our best.”
The situation adds a layer of complexity to the competition, though Malta’s preparation remains grounded in their own objectives.
It also poises Malta as the perfect neutral host, which in turn means that the stadium offers an added layer of familiarity for Malta’s players.
While Tabone acknowledged the psychological benefit, he was clear that the approach to preparation remains unchanged, “Playing at home always gives you an extra level of confidence, but in terms of preparation, it remains the same as if we were playing away. Of course, I encourage people to come and support these players.”
The full squad list is listed below:
The 20-player final squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers
Katelyn Camilleri (Swieqi ZSP), Raisa Magro (San Gwann FC)
Defenders
Amy Catania (Hibernians FC), Erika Cini (Valletta FC), Rihanna Fava Borg (Hibernians FC), Edeson Grixti (Hibernians FC), Martina Mendez Vasquez (Hibernians FC), Nina-Lee Naudi (Sampdoria – Italy), Krista Sacco (Birkirkara FC)
Midfielders
Kay Axiak (Birkirkara FC), Katrina Catania (Birkirkara FC), Alanah Ghio (Hibernians FC), Elanya Mallia (Lija Mgarr FC), Olivia Nazarko (Hibernians FC), Keziah Richard (Hibernians FC), Pearl May Schembri (Hibernians FC), Martina Vassallo (San Gwann FC)
Forwards
Amberley Borg (Swieqi ZSP), Gloria Cassar (Birkirkara FC), Isabelle Said (Liverpool International Academy – Canada)
Lead Image: Brandon Bonett
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