by Malta is set to face Northern Ireland in a double header with the two nations bidding for their first points in the group in search of maintaining League B status and a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-offs. Manuela Tesse discussed selection against the importance of injury prevention and youth integration as the islands battle a limited player pool.
Long-Term Injuries Persist Against U19 Call-Ups
The Malta Women’s National Team is set for a crucial double-header against Northern Ireland as the two nations both bid to get themselves going in points in the group, with a target to secure third place at the end of the second round.
Manuela Tesse was dealt a major blow as veteran defender Stephania Farrugia has been confirmed to have torn her ACL, just a year into a her return since the same setback. The defender’s absence removes one of the more experienced profiles in the squad, forcing a reshuffle at the back.
“It is a sad situation, I’m sorry for the player and of course as a team we feel her absence,” Manuela Tesse commented. Mgarr United’s Maia Debono has been called up in replacement, a player who has been versatile in duties at club level. Oceane Grange and Tammy Falzon are the most direct replacements in the position.
There are, however, signs of recovery within the group. Veronique Mifsud returns after a long-term injury, having begun to build minutes again at club level. The Sardinian also welcomed the return, “It’s good to have her back, gaining minutes with the team, training at high intensity.”
Her recent form — including two goals in three matches — offers an attacking boost, while the midfielder also bring an additional creative and strong passing ability in the midfield unit.
Alongside these changes, Malta continue to introduce younger players into the senior setup. Crista Chetcuti Ganado earns her first senior call-up after consistent performances at U19 level, while Lexine Farrugia retains her place following earlier involvement.
Tesse has been clear in her intention to maintain that pathway, “I want to continue the rotation of the best U19 players with the senior team. Like this they experience a different kind of environment.”
At the same time, availability continues to shape that process. Emma Flannery remains unavailable due to college commitments, while Sara Saliba has again been forced to withdraw with a persisting issue after missing a previous opportunity through injury.
Malta’s Injury Concerns In View Of The Wider Discussion
Malta’s situation also sits within a broader conversation that has been gaining momentum across the game. The increasing physical demands placed on players — through congested calendars and rising performance intensity — have drawn repeated attention at the highest levels.
Figures such as Leah Williamson have spoken openly about workload and recovery, while similar concerns have been raised across both the women’s and men’s games as the number of competitions continues to grow.
Within the women’s game specifically, the rapid development of the sport has brought increased professionalism and exposure, but also a sharper focus on injury patterns and the need for more tailored medical and conditioning approaches. Research into female physiology continues to develop, yet questions remain around how consistently that knowledge is applied across different environments.
The same situation results in a more acute challenge for Malta.
Questioned about the persistence of long-term injuries, not specifically limited to ACL-type injuries, Manuela Tesse pointed to the limited size of the player pool as a key factor in how injuries affect the squad, “It affects us a lot. We don’t have a lot of players who can play at this level. Last window we were missing Rachel Cuschieri, who we felt. Now we’re missing Steph(ania Farrugia).”
Where larger nations are able to absorb absences through depth, Malta are often required to adjust more quickly, whether through reintegrating returning players or accelerating the exposure of younger ones to senior football.
That places additional emphasis on prevention, particularly within the domestic framework where many of the players are based.
“Especially in the case of players playing in Malta, the focus must be on training more and also doing more to prevent injuries,” Tesse explained. “We’ve had discussions with players and also with clubs on the importance of activities for prevention of injuries. Coaches must be very strict on these things as well, unfortunately this is the reality of football,” she finished.
The message reflects a shared responsibility between national setup and domestic structures — one that becomes increasingly important as demands on players continue to grow.
Northern Ireland Awaits
However, until then, the short-term picture puts Northern Ireland very much in focus with a double-header that will be crucial for Malta’s hopes of remaining in League B, while also moving on toward the play-offs for the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifications.
Malta will travel to the Northern Ireland for the first match that will be played in Mourneview Park on Tuesday at 20:00. The Centenary Stadium hosts the reverse fixture on Saturday at 19:00. Both matches will be broadcast on TVM Sports+.
Full squad list below.
Goalkeepers: Maya Cachia (Hibernians FC), Raisa Costantino (Pro Palazzolo, Italy), Giulia D’Antuono (Mgarr United FC).
Defenders: Maia Debono (Mgarr United) Tammy Falzon (Swieqi United), Jade Flask (Swieqi United FC), Alexandra Gatt (York City Ladies, England), Oceane Grange (Freedom FC, Italy), Emma Lipman (Genoa CFC, Italy), Maya Lucia (Apollon Ladies FC, Cyprus), Emma Xuereb (Swieqi United FC).
Midfielders: Jana Barbara (VfR Warbeyen, Germany), Brenda Borg (Mgarr United), Crista C. Ganado (Leicester City FC, England), Rachel Cuschieri (Genoa CFC, Italy), Veronique Mifsud (Mgarr United), Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians FC), Shona Zammit (Swieqi United FC).
Forwards: Leah Ayres (Hibernians FC), Haley Bugeja (Inter Milan, Italy), Yulya Carella (Mġarr United FC), Lexine Farrugia (AS Roma, Italy), Maria Farrugia (Bristol City Women FC, England), Kailey Willis (Venezia Calcio Femminile, Italy).
Lead Image: Brandon Bonett
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