by The team will be competing against Croatia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan in the country’s return following a two-year break. Coach Vince Galea has made the twenty-player selection for the upcoming fixtures.
The Competition
Malta will be making a return to the competition alongside Andorra. The competition features fifty teams split into two groups forming League A and League B. Malta will form part of League B, which features twenty-two teams, including six relegated from League A following the 2022/2023 competition.
The Round 1 draw for League B pits nations from three pots, with pot 1 featuring those relegated from League A. Group B3 features Croatia as the side relegated from League A, while Luxembourg was drawn from pot 2. Malta completes the group alongside Azerbaijan from pot 3.
Those within League B will play a mini tournament to get promoted to League A. Promotion is earned by the six group winners, and the runners-up who have the best performance against the teams that won and those that finish third in the group.
The Twenty Selected For Malta
Preparation for these fixtures started earlier in the year, soon after Vince Galea took charge of the team and before the draw had been even presented. This took form in a twenty-five player training camp in June, following which Galea together with assistant coach Martina Borg, kept tabs on the player’s performances at club level since the start of the campaign.
The selected twenty feature two goalkeepers in Erika Muscat of Birkirkara and Maya Muscat of Hibernians. The two have started in goal for their clubs in every match of the Assikura Women’s Youth League, with Birkirkara’s Muscat also making her debut in the senior league against Lija Athletic in the opening match of the season.
The defence features Ylenia Azzopardi of Birkirkara, who also made a substitute appearance in the senior team against San Gwann before the international break. Amber Galea of Hibernians is also included after impressive displays in defence for the Paolites in both the BNF U16 Women’s League, where they currently sit at the top, and in the Assikura Women’s Youth League.
They are joined by four of Swieqi United’s contingent in Ilona Abela, Thea Ida Scicluna, Leanne Frendo and Aisha Micallef. Abela captains the U16 side, while also making regular appearances in the Assikura Women’s Youth League alongside Scicluna, Frendo and Micallef, where the Owls are still unbeaten after their opening three matches. The latter trio have also made appearances in the senior’s league since the beginning of the campaign.
Similarly, the midfield features a number of players who have made appearances in both the Assikura Women’s Youth and Senior Leagues. Francesca Bartolo of Valletta brings most experience as a regular feature for her team in both leagues. Likewise, Ema Micallef of Swieqi United brings creativity and a strong work ethic which she has displayed in both leagues. They are joined by Amelia Vassallo of Birkirkara who has also earned appearances with the senior team. Similarly, Nilayza Attard makes the cut after heavily featuring for San Gwann in both leagues. Lisa Calleja completes the midfield after impressing with Melita and brings a real physical presence, paired with a strong work ethic.
Galea’s attacking selection features a combination of pace, flair and most importantly an eye for goal. Maia Gauci and Stella Francalanza make the cut from Birkirkara’s team. Kaysia Micallef (Swieqi United) and Nyorah Celeste (Hibernians) are among the selection after they impressed on the wing in both the Youth and Senior League. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco (Valletta) also makes the cut who has also been on the scoresheet for City in both leagues. They are joined by Lexine Farrugia who further brings flair and goal-threat. Sara Saliba, who recently sealed a move to Pomigliano from Birkirkara, completes the forward line.
Matches
Malta will commence its campaign next Monday 2nd of October at 12:00 against the hosts and recently demoted to League B, Croatia. The second fixture will pit the Maltese contingent against Luxembourg on Thursday 5th (15:30), before wrapping up against Azerbaijan on Sunday 8th October at noon.
Lead Image: Christabelle Tonna
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[…] about the selection and his expectations from each of the units, Galea said, “We have chosen a very experienced […]
[…] Croatian side made their intentions of a return to League A clear, by taking charge of the game in search of the opening goal early on, forcing Erika Muscat […]