by Malta’s U17 Women’s National Team completed their UEFA Women’s European Championship commitments with a 3 – 1 defeat to Lithuania and a 3 – 0 defeat to Sweden. Clint Tabone weighed in on the contrasts between the two matches, the level of opposition and the positive steps made by the team in these past few weeks. The Malta coach called on unity within the footballing community to support players in their growth toward making the leap into senior level.
Two Defeats Against Very Different Opponents
As the 2025/26 season continues to challenge, Malta’s U17 women’s national team featured in a three-team group in the UEFA Women’s U17 European Qualification Championship Round 1 against Lithuania and Sweden.
Malta fell to an early goal against Lithuania in the opener, and was unable to reel back the result, ultimately falling to a 3 – 1 defeat. This despite an attacking approach displayed to falling behind, with attempts to press and throw numbers forward. Amberley Borg’s goal ultimately ended only in consolation.
Malta’s coach, Clint Tabone, gave his view of the match, “Obviously I’m not happy with the result, even though the team fought hard and created good opportunities. Conceding from a big mistake in the first two minutes was a shock and it affected us more than it should have.”
However, he rejected that Lithuania was superior in game intelligence, “I don’t believe Lithuania were superior in game intelligence or tactical understanding. In fact, there were many moments where we controlled the game and showed better ideas and intention.”
Elaborating further Clint Tabone said, “The difference was mainly in our ability to take chances and their physicality in key moments. They also had individual players who made a bigger impact physically. However, in terms of how the game was played, I truly believe it could have gone a different way if we scored during our strong periods.”
Tensions were expected to be high in the final match against the giants in the group, Sweden, who mid-way beat Lithuania by 9 – 0. However, Malta held to a 3 – 0 defeat against the Swedes. Fanny Peterson found the net just after the hour mark, before late goals by Lovisa Breland and Alice Radsjo completed the result.
Questioned on his view of whether to see the positive in that result or whether to challenge the mentality to aim higher, Clint Tabone weighed in, “Sweden are a very strong team with a history of scoring many goals, so we knew we had to be smart and disciplined. I believe we controlled the game well for long periods, and the fact that we only conceded from a counter-attack in the 63rd minute shows the level of focus and organisation the girls had.”
He continued, “The last two goals came in the 93rd and 95th minute when fatigue was at its highest, but even then, the effort never stopped. Of course, we always aim higher and want better results for Malta, but considering the strength of the opponent, I am very proud of how my players competed, applied the plan, and showed resilience until the final whistle.”
Strong Indicators And The Path Ahead
Clint Tabone continues his term within the youth group, with two friendlies against Romania and these matches against Lithuania and Sweden offering further information into how to build Malta’s next generation and assess its form.
Questioned on his conclusions of the key requirements needed to start bringing home results, Clint Tabone was positive in his reply, “We’ve seen clear improvement day after day during the two weeks we’ve had to prepare for these games.”
“The key now is to keep working hard, keep supporting each other as a women’s coaching department from the senior team downwards, and continue believing in our girls. We need to keep raising the intensity and supporting our clubs in the best way possible throughout the season. If we stay consistent and united, the results will come, just as we saw recently with the U15s in the Development Tournament held in September”, he finished.
As to the near future, Clint Tabone suggested the setup has already hit the ground running in preparing for the next set of matches, “From this window, we’ll take lessons from every situation we experienced, building on the positives and improving the areas that still need work. We’ve already started planning for the next games to ensure we have the best squad possible.”
He finished, “As a coach, I’m not giving up on our players. We’ll keep following them closely within their clubs and support them in the best way we can to help them keep developing. Apart from results, my aim is to continue developing players and eventually see some of them representing the senior national team in the future.”
With national team commitments concluded, some players already featured in last weekend’s Jubilee Cup semi-finals, with plenty more returning to their club duties this evening as the Assikura Women’s Youth League resumes for one week. It will go on another break to accomodate the UEFA Women’s U19 European Championships next week.
Tonight there will be a double-header with leaders Hibernians taking on Birkirkara at Mgarr Ground at 20:30, while Swieqi United face San Gwann at the Charles Abela Stadium at the same time. Tomorrow will pit Valletta against bottom of the table side, Lija-Mgarr, with the two also playing the match at Mgarr Ground at 20:30.
Lead Image: Brandon Bonett
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