by Malta’s U19 Women’s National Team will be facing Latvia this morning at 11 am, as they kick-start the Group 6 matches in the UEFA Women’s U19 Euro Qualifications Round 1 at the Centenary Stadium. They will also face Israel and Kazakhstan, with friendly faces and a few notable absentees in the selection shaking things up for the U19 squad.
The Group & Fixtures
Malta’s U19s Women’s National Team will be entertaining Latvia, Israel and Kazakhstan during the week as the Centenary Stadium and the new National Football Centre play host to the matches in Group 6 of League B in the UEFA U19 Women’s European Championship Qualifiers Round 1.
The match schedule according to the UEFA Women’s U19 European Qualifications page is as follows. Malta will be facing Latvia today at 11 am, followed by the encounter between Israel and Kazakhstan at 14:30, with both matches played at the Centenary Stadium. Friday will play host to Latvia against Kazakhstan at 11 am, followed by Israel against Malta (KO 14:30) at the same stadium.
The final matchday will be on Monday 1st December as Malta faces Kazakhstan at the Centenary Stadium while Latvia wraps up against Israel at the new National Football Centre (both KOs 11:00).
All matches featuring Malta will be live-streamed on Malta’s FA Youtube channel.
Malta’s contingent will be fairly familiar with opposition, having drawn matches against Latvia and Kazakhstan last April, with a target to claim victory in the hopes of pushing the team up.
The side heads into the matches following two international friendlies played against Lebanon during October’s international window, where Malta lost its lead to come out with a 4 – 2 defeat and a 1 – 1 draw.
The Selection
David Attard has retained faith in the three goalkeepers selected to face Lebanon, with Erika Muscat (Swieqi United), Maya Muscat (Hibernians) and Julia Zarb (Birkirkara) maintaining their place.
There’s minor changes in defence with Lara May Azzopardi retaining the place and hoping to find the mark against Latvia once more. Francesca Bartolo and Amber Galea of Hibernians also retain their place, together with Birkirkara’s Maia Gauci and Swieqi United’s Thea Ida Scicluna. Swieqi’s Ylenia Azzopardi makes way, with other defensive players included such as Angele Fenech (Lija Mgarr) and Shana Farrugia (Hibernians) coming into the selection.
Among the most notable absentees is creative midfielder, Amelia Vassallo (Birkirkara), who also found the net against Lebanon. However, the midfield continues to be supported by the ever hard-working Stella Francalanza (Birkirkara) and Ema Micallef (Swieqi United), with the latter sitting out the previous fixtures following injury.
The midfield features a new name in Somaya Muscat (Valletta), while Emma Flannery of Albion SC Las Vegas receives her first official call-up after appearing for Malta in the friendlies against Lebanon for the first time. The call-up is omitting Rowen Crawshaw, Caitlyn Turner & Alys Wilson, though photographs published by the Association suggest some may still be currently forming part of the senior setup. Swieqi United’s Shannen Mallia also receives the call up together with a return for San Gwann duo Nilayza Attard and Thais Muscat.
Lexine Farrugia (AS Roma) spearheads the list of attackers, alongside the return of Hibernians’ trio Nyorah Celeste, Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and Lisa Calleja. Growing creative threat, Crista Chetcuti Ganado (Leicester City), retains her place as well in the forward line.
The Sporting Fan reached out to the Malta Football Association for comments from coach David Attard about the matches, expectations, as well as the selection and notable omissions, but none were received at the time of writing.
Full Selection:
Goalkeepers
Erika Muscat (Swieqi United), Maya Muscat (Hibernians FC), Julia Maria Zarb (Birkirkara FC)
Defenders
Lara May Azzopardi (Birkirkara FC), Francesca Bartolo (Hibernians FC), Shana Farrugia (Hibernians FC), Angele Fenech (Lija Mgarr FC), Amber Galea (Hibernians FC), Maia Gauci (Birkirkara FC), Thea Ida Scicluna (Swieqi United).
Midfielders
Nilayza Attard (San Gwann FC), Emma Sophia Flannery (Albion SC Las Vegas – USA), Stella Francalanza (Birkirkara FC), Shannen Mallia (Swieqi United), Ema Micallef (Swieqi United), Somaya Muscat (Valletta FC), Thais Muscat (San Gwann FC).
Forwards
Lisa Calleja (Hibernians FC), Nyorah Celeste (Hibernians FC), Lexine Farrugia (AS Roma – ITA), Suzanne Farrugia Sacco (Hibernians FC), Crista Chetcuti Ganado (Leicester City – ENG).
Lead Image: Elise Bajada
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