by Malta’s Women’s National Team will be facing Hungary for an international friendly this Tuesday at the Centenary Stadium, with the mid-week match having an afternoon kick-off (14:00). The final squad for Malta was named on Friday, prior to a friendly behind closed doors between the two nations.
International Break
Women’s football is currently undergoing an international break which concludes the qualifications for the upcoming summer UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 to be held in Switzerland.
Having failed to secure a spot in the European Qualification play-offs, Malta and Hungary have agreed to meet in an international friendly on Tuesday 3rd December at the Centenary Stadium, in an afternoon kick-off at 14:00. The match will be broadcast on TVM Sports+.
This international break will be the final one before the UEFA Women’s Nations League kicks-off in February. Having retained their place in League B, Hungary will be facing Belarus, Finland and Serbia. On the other hand, Malta will be competing in League C, having gotten relegated following the UEFA Women’s European Qualification Group stages. Malta will be facing Cyprus, Georgia and Andorra.
Malta and Hungary already had a friendly behind closed doors, at Ta’ Qali Training Grounds, last Friday afternoon. The Hungarian side emerged with a 3-1 victory.
Malta’s Selection Against Hungary
Having originally announced a 27-player squad, Manuela Tesse and her staff have trimmed it down to 22 players. An all-Mgarr United goalkeeping line-up is retained consisting of Giulia D’Antuono and Patricia Ebejer.
In defence, Malta’s captain Emma Lipman (Genoa) is supported by the returning veterans Charlene Zammit (Birkirkara) and Emma Xuereb (Swieqi United). Valentina Rapa (Birkirkara), Abigail Camilleri (Mgarr United) and Alexandra Gatt (Durham Cestria) retain their place in the defensive line-up from the previous international window.
They are joined by Rebecca Bajada (Mgarr United) and Jessica Dimech (Hibernians), with the duo returning to the fold. Young defender, Tammy Falzon (Swieqi United), also made the cut to complete the defensive unit.
The midfield features the return of Rachel Cuschieri (Genoa) since July. The rest of the midfield unit features several returning faces from the previous international break where Malta faced Italy. Shona Zammit (Swieqi United), Gabriella Zahra (Birkirkara), Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians) complete the unit, alongside the Mgarr United duo, Brenda Borg and Yulya Carella.
The attack features no players who play their football in Malta. Maya Lucia (Gdansk) returns to the line-up having missed out on the previous international window. She is accompanied by Haley Bugeja (Inter Women), Maria Farrugia (Sheffield United Women) and Kailey Willis (Venezia) all of whom make the selection, alongside veteran Ylenia Carabott (AFC Fylde).
Lead Image: Malta FA
Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
