by Malta’s Women’s National Team is gearing up for a double-header of friendlies against Croatia in a final dress rehearsal before the upcoming UEFA Women’s Qualifications for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Manuela Tesse discussed the provisional selection in view of the competition ahead and the long-term future of the team.
Trimming To The Final Group
Malta’s Women’s National Team will be competing twice against Croatia in this final international window before they kick-start the UEFA Women’s Qualifications for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup next February.
Manuela Tesse named a provisional squad of twenty-eight players which will be expected to be trimmed in the coming hours, with the Malta coach giving some insight into call-ups in each unit in view of the transitions within the national team.
The matches will be played on Friday at 19:00 and in an eyebrow-raising slot on Monday, at 17:00. Both will be played at the Centenary Stadium, with the two games also broadcast on TVM Sports+.
It will be an opportunity for the team to measure up against another strong side, with the team looking for a positive boost ahead of competitive ties against Turkey, Switzerland and Northern Ireland next year.
The Hunt For A First-Choice Goalkeeper
The Goalkeeping unit continues to miss the presence of Janice Xuereb who held the position for Malta in recent years and remains sidelined for the time being for club and country. Indeed, the selection shows no changes from the previous window with Mgarr duo Giulia D’Antuono and Patricia Ebejer, keeping the company of Hibernians’ Maya Cachia.
Manuela Tesse gave no insight into a concrete decision of a number one between the three, but reflected on showings in making the decision.
“I’m very happy with the goalkeepers and the work they are doing,” she began. “Giulia decided to return after one year.  After her first two caps with the national team against Hungary—where she played very well—she felt that football was not her priority at that moment.  Now she is more motivated, she’s enjoying football again, and I think the positive results with Mgarr, her club, are helping.  She also had a very good performance against Belarus.”
Meanwhile, “Maya returned to Malta after a long experience abroad, and I think she is finding her rhythm with her new club, Hibernians. Â Both of them have amazing potential.” She continued, “Patricia helped her club reach the Jubilee Cup final. Â Whenever the team needs her, she is always ready.”
Questioned about the potential call-up of other players, such as Raisa Costantino, Tesse replied, “Raisa had her first cap against Italy, and I believe she also has great potential. She has been playing for three seasons in the Italian Serie C. Â Because the league continues during the international window, she decided to stay with her club during this period.”
Experiments In Defence & Boosts In Midfield
The defence featured plenty of change against Belarus, with Manuela Tesse confirming that a similar approach will be taken in these matches, “Of course, we will keep experimenting, because I need to choose the best players for the current moment. Â We analyse their performances with their clubs, the positions they play in, and their physical condition.”
The call-up features the return of Tammy Falzon (Swieqi United) who debuted against Belarus, along Swieqi full-backs Jade Schembri and Emma Xuereb, though the latter has not been in action in recent games. Rebecca Bajada, Leanne Cefai and Maia Debono of Mgarr United could also make the cut. Alexandra Gatt (Hull City Ladies) also continues to make a presence after a promising display against Belarus, while Maya Lucia also returns (Apollon Ladies FC).
Jessica Dimech (Hibernians) and Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara), also compete for a place in the unit alongside Oceane Grange (SV Zulte Waregem) and captain Emma Lipman (Genoa).
The midfield features a potential return of Brenda Borg, who is into her first minutes back from an ACL injury. However, the provisional set also continues to feature Swieqi duo Michaela Cachia and Sarah Urpani.
Questioned about these faces in view of a consistent midfield, Manuela Tesse replied, “Urpani and Cachia are both young, so it’s good for them to stay in or around the national team environment.  We can monitor them with tests (nutrition and strength) and see their progress and areas to improve.  Brenda is, of course, very important for our team.  She will need time—she came on in the second half in the last two games for her club—but she will certainly have opportunities with us.”
As for the balance of the midfield, Tesse is looking for one further ingredient, “We have a good mix of power, running ability, technique, and vision.  Maybe we can improve—or we definitely miss—a more aggressive midfielder when we are out of possession.”
Also in contention are the returning Amber Grech (Mgarr United), together with trusted trio Rachel Cuschieri (Genoa), Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians) and Shona Zammit (Swieqi United).
Balancing U19 & Senior For Promising Forwards
The forward line has plenty of returning faces in Maria Farrugia (Bristol City) and Kailey Willis (ACF Brescia Calcio Femminile), who continue to gain a continuous place. Leah Ayres (Hibernians FC) and Yulya Carella (Mgarr United) also could feature again after good introductions against Belarus.
However, the forward line does feature a gaping hole in the shape of Haley Bugeja (Inter), who continues to be sidelined by injury. However, the Malta side will be featuring the return of Sara Saliba who made her debut in Portugal and could gain further minutes with the senior side in these matches.
Manuela Tesse gave insight into the call-up at senior level for Saliba, in view of the youngster also being eligible for the U19 tournament, “Sara Saliba returned to football this season after a short break, so I decided to call her directly to the senior team because of the absence of Haley Bugeja. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen Sara with the national team since the match against Portugal in July 2024, and I only have these two friendlies to evaluate her before the official matches in March.”
Manuela Tesse gave insight into the efforts to balance squads when questioned about the decision of keeping Lexine Farrugia with the U19 team. The youngster in fact came up with a direct free-kick against Latvia in the side’s 5 – 1 defeat yesterday.
She said, “I consider Lexine part of the senior team, but she is also the captain of the U19s and is very important for that squad. Â Naturally she would like to be with us, but at the same time she can grow a lot by competing with players her own age, especially now that we have friendly matches with the seniors.”
Meanwhile, the Malta coach was also questioned about the potential call-up of Sarah Vella Barberi, especially considering the similar playing position to Haley Bugeja and the youngster’s exploits with Hibernians which currently put her as the top assister in the league. Manuela Tesse was open in her response, “As for Sara Vella Barberi, but also other players: the national team is always open if a player is performing well in the league.”
The final cut is expected to be announced in the coming hours.
Full Provisional Selection:
Goalkeepers
Maya Cachia (Hibernians FC), Giulia D’Antuono (Mgarr United), Patricia Ebejer (Mgarr United FC),
Defenders
Rebecca Bajada (Mgarr United), Leanne Cefai (Mgarr United), Maia Debono (Mgarr United), Jessica Dimech (Hibernians FC), Tammy Falzon (Swieqi United), Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara FC), Alexandra Gatt (Hull City Ladies – ENG) Oceane Grange (SV Zulte Waregem – BEL), Emma Lipman (Genoa FC – ITA), Maya Lucia (Apollon Ladies FC – CYP), Georgiana Mifsud (Hibernians FC), Jade Schembri (Swieqi United), Emma Xuereb (Swieqi United)
Midfielders
Brenda Borg (Mgarr United), Michaela Cachia (Swieqi United), Rachel Cuschieri (Genoa FC – ITA), Amber Grech (Mgarr United), Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians), Sarah Urpani (Swieqi United), Shona Zammit (Swieqi United)
Forwards
Leah Ayres (Hibernians FC), Yulya Carella (Mgarr United), Maria Farrugia (Bristol City – ENG), Sara Saliba (Swieqi United), Kailey Willis (ACF Brescia Calcio Femminile – ITA)
Lead Image: Brandon Bonett
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