by The Centenary Stadium will be hosting the UEFA U15 Girls Development Tournament this week, where Malta will be facing the Faroe Islands, Andorra and Luxembourg, with the first encounter to be played at 10 am this morning. Malta’s coach, Kirsten Attard, gave some insight into the preparation, objectives and what to expect from Malta and their opponents in this tournament, ahead of the first kick-off.
Eager To Debut In International Competition
Malta’s U15 girls team will be led by coach Kirsten Attard as they make their first foray into the UEFA U15 Girls Development Tournament. As its name suggests, the tournament is meant to give a first experience to several players with the aim of preparing the path to international football.
Malta’s contingent will kickstart their commitments at 10 am this morning against the Faroe Islands, before facing Andorra on Thursday (19th) in early lunch-time kick-off at 13:30. The final fixture for Malta’s contingent will be played on Sunday the 22nd September, starting at 10 am. All matches will be played at the Centenary Stadium.
Coach Kirsten Attard defined the objectives for the Maltese team, “Our primary targets are to focus on the development and growth of each player both individually and as a team. A successful tournament for us is defined by the players showing improvement in their skills, gaining confidence, and learning from each match. We aim to foster a positive team environment where the players support each other.”
Attard finished with, “Results are important, but the emphasis is on the players development and their ability to apply what they’ve learned in a competitive setting.”
Considering the new experience for the players, Attard explained the approach to help the youngsters prepare for these matches. She said “Since all the players will be making their debut at this tournament, we’ve ensured they are well-prepared and familiar with the tournament environment through training sessions and friendly matches.”
The young coach suggested that the preparations have created a buzz in the camp in anticipation for these matches, “The mood within the group is very positive and energetic. The players are excited about the opportunity to represent the national team for the first time and are eager to demonstrate their skills. We’ve worked on creating a supportive atmosphere where each player feels valued and confident. Their enthusiasm is high, and they are highly motivated to embrace the challenge and learn from this invaluable experience.”
The Squad
Kirsten Attard and her coaching staff have called up Katelyn Camilleri and Zelaya Chetcuti to guard Malta’s goal. They will be aided the defensive unit which includes: Amy Maria Borg, Michela Borg, Amy Bello Catania, Erika Cini, Kesia Farrugia, Martina Mendez Vasquez and Amie Marta Portelli.
The midfield unit consists of five players: Katrine Jorgenson, Elanya Mallia, Jade Micallef Cassar, Kylie Pullicino and Keziah Richard. Meanwhile, six forwards have been chosen in Amberley Borg, Katrina Catania, Alessandra Consoli, Krystie Micallef, Lara Micallef and Shanaia Mifsud.
The Opponents
Questioned about the expectations from their opponents, namely the Faroe Islands, Andorra and Luxembourg, Kirsten Attard elaborated on the varied approaches that the Maltese contingent will face.
She said, “Each of these teams will present unique challenges. The Faroe Islands have a reputation for being competitive and resilient, which will test our tactical discipline and endurance. Andorra is known for its well-organized defense and tactical approach, so we will need to be creative and patient. Luxembourg has shown significant progress in recent years, and we anticipate they will bring a dynamic and aggressive style of play.”
The Maltese coach suggested that the team will need to be on top of their game when facing these adversaries, “Overall, we expect to face well-coached teams with their own strengths, and we’ll need to adapt quickly to each challenge and stay focused on our plan.”
Meanwhile, questioned about Malta’s approach, the Attard was reluctant to detail specifics, but suggested that the side should be competitive, “We hope to see the players apply what we have practiced and demonstrate their technical and tactical growth. Ultimately, we want our football to reflect a balance of creativity and structure, showcasing the hard work we’ve put into our preparation.”
The team will kick off their commitments at 10 am against the Faroe Islands at the Centenary Stadium. All matches involving Malta will be streamed on Youtube.
Lead Image: Malta Football Association
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