by Manuela Tesse has trimmed the Malta Women’s National Team selection ahead of the Visit Malta Women’s International Friendlies against the Faroe Islands and Belarus. Tesse’s responses about the selection point toward building on December’s promotion heroics.
Tesse’s Comments On The Objectives, Selection & Surface
Malta’s senior Women’s National Team will be playing two friendlies in the Visit Malta Women’s International Friendlies tournament, starting against the Faroe Islands tomorrow and then playing a match against Belarus on Sunday.
The provisional squad has now been trimmed to 22 players who will be partaking in the matches, with plenty of returning faces. Manuela Tesse’s response suggests that the backbone of the teams taking to the pitch will be familiar, “We are considering these friendly matches as an opportunity to compete at international level with a winning mentality. We don’t want to experiment, but rather want to keep adding on what we built in the past.” Despite this, the provisional selection featured plenty of names with varying experience at senior international football, with a few different names cropping up as has been the case in previous windows.
Among the absentees from the call-up were Leanne Cefai who made a return from long-term injury and to the Mgarr United defensive line, while Michaela Cachia has continued to grow into the Swieqi United senior team. Asked about their club form and its propensity to lead to a possible provisional call-up, Tesse kept the door open, “To be honest I can mention more players, not only Cefai and Cachia. We are always monitoring and Sarah Urpani is an example with her first camp.”
On the other hand, the coach rejected the notion that the selection features a limited number of natural full-backs, with a number of players utilised in the position having adapted to it after playing in a different position in the past. Tesse replied, “As a National team coach I have a short time to prepare for two games. After two months and an half following my players only from the stand or in front of the television, you have to consider where these players play in the League. For example, Jessica Dimech and Valentina Rapa are playing as full-backs with their club, the same with Rebecca Bajada and Ann-Marie Said. So, I don’t think we have a limited number of natural full backs.”
The team will be facing a different level of opposition in the matches, while also knowing that UEFA Women’s Nations League and European Qualifications in League B loom on the horizon. It raises questions as to whether the teams will be as adventurous in attack or not.
Meanwhile, the fact that the matches will be played at the Tony Bezzina Stadium will also present a change in surface, to grass instead of the synthetic turf at the Centenary Stadium. Most domestic and international home matches are played on the latter turf type. Asked whether she looks at playing these matches on grass as an opportunity to build the team’s confidence on the surface, Tesse responded, “Of course we had some problems during the last competition to play abroad with a different surface, but I agree it will be a good opportunity to improve confidence.”
The Final Selection
First-choice goalkeeper Janice Xuereb (Birkirkara) is called up alongside youngster Maya Cachia (Como), who earns her first call-up since the first round of UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures held in September.
Captain Emma Lipman (Como) is unavailable due to injury. The defensive unit will feature the quartet of Stephania Farrugia, Charlene Zammit, Ann-Marie Said and Valentina Rapa, who play for Malta’s league leaders Birkirkara. Swieqi United’s Jessica Dimech receives the call-up following her relentless presence at full-back in the senior domestic league. Completing the defensive unit are Hibernians’ centre-back Amy Busuttil and Mgarr United’s Rebecca Bajada, both of whom have been undroppable fixtures in their respective squads.
In midfield, UEFA Women’s Nations League top assister Rachel Cuschieri (Sampdoria) retains her place from the historic promotion window, along with Brenda Borg (Mgarr United), Dorianne Theuma (Swieqi United), Shona Zammit (Swieqi United) and Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara). Gabriella Zahra (Birkirkara) receives the first call-up since September, following impressive showings for the league leaders. Hibernians’ Sarah Urpani completes the selection, having been a mainstay in the Paolites line-ups throughout the season.
In attack, Haley Bugeja (Inter Women), Ylenia Carabott (London Seaward FC), Maria Farrugia (Lewes FC), and Alishia Sultana (Birkirkara FC) retain their places from the UEFA Women’s Nations League final group matches. Yulya Carella (Mgarr United) receives the call-up and will look to impress on the international stage following her debut against Haiti last summer. Jade Flask (Swieqi United) makes a return to international duty a year on from her last appearance after being sidelined by long-term injury.
A block ticket to attend all matches may be purchased online. Tickets cost 5 Euro (senior and children 3 Euro). Matches involving the Maltese national team will be broadcast live on TVM Sports+.
Fixtures (All matches at Tony Bezzina Stadium):
MATCHDAY 1 – Thursday, 22nd February, 2024
14:00 Albania vs Belarus
18:00 Malta vs Faroe Islands
MATCHDAY 2 – Sunday, 25th February, 2024
14:00 Albania vs Faroe Islands
18:00 Malta vs Belarus
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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