by Malta will welcome Northern Ireland at the Centenary Stadium, at 19:30 tonight in a battle that could settle the qualification places for the play-off round in Group B3. Malta’s Manuela Tesse suggests the team is ready to take the fight to Northern Ireland under the scorching Mediterranean conditions. Tanya Oxtoby’s team will likewise be seeking to maximise points with sights on qualification to the play-off round. The match will be preceded by a ceremony awarding Stephania Farrugia her 100th cap.
The Stage Is Set
The UEFA Women’s EURO Qualifications group stages will culminate in this international window. In group B3, Malta welcome Northern Ireland tonight, with the two teams separated by three points in fourth and third place of the group respectively. Meanwhile, second-placed Bosnia & Herzegovina will be welcoming leaders Portugal in their home.
Malta and Northern Ireland faced off in a goalless draw in Windsor Park in the opening match of the qualification matches back in April. However, Malta have struggled to pick up points since, falling to second-half goals from Portugal, while Bosnia & Herzegovina snatched six points with injury-time winners on both occasions. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland secured a victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina (3-1), and while falling to two defeats to Portugal, the latter match was a much tighter affair at home (4-0, 1-2).
The final round gets things to the business end in the Qualification group stages, while also finalising the places for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League cycle. A win for Northern Ireland will ensure their third place and thus confirm their qualification to the play-off stages, as well as retaining their place in League B, while confirming Malta’s fourth place finish and return to League C. On the other hand, a draw or a win for Malta would keep them alive in the group and in League B until the final match. A win would also mark their first three points in League B.
Malta’s Manuela Tesse suggested that the team is in good spirits and ready for the challenge ahead, “Players are doing well, the spirit is high and we want to have a good performance in our final home match in these group stages.”
Malta’s contingent will also kick-start the match with a presentation to Stephania Farrugia who hit the 100th national team cap against Bosnia & Herzegovina, putting her in a very select few subset of Maltese football players. The achievement continues to build on her stellar season, which also earned her the MFA Player of the Year earlier this year.
Summer Conditions
Temperatures will not only be running high with excitement, but also due to the scorching Mediterranean sun, with the temperature expected to be close to thirty degrees Celsius at kick-off. Manuela Tesse acknowledged it will affect both teams, “It will be very hard for both teams to play in this weather. However, as Maltese we are used to it more, so maybe we will have less problems than Northern Ireland to play in these conditions.”
Similar to the feeling during international finals, this international break brings with it the drum of transfers in the background. With scouts also on the lookout in previous window, Manuela Tesse noted that this brings with it extra motivation for players who are on the move this summer to perform at the highest level, “I think this is a good moment to show their strength and as we know women’s football is growing in Europe, there are more scouts and of course more opportunities.”
Match Expectations
Despite coming away with maximum points, coaches Selver Hodzic of Bosnia & Herzegovina and Francisco Neto of Portugal admitted that they found things tougher than expected at the Centenary Stadium.
However, Manuela Tesse does not expect that the location will deter Northern Ireland too much from their usual game-plan, “I expect Northern Ireland to be very aggressive because they want the three points to ensure their qualification to the play-offs. However, we are also ready for the battle. We drew the first match. Although it was a different time in the season when the season was in full-swing, we are ready to show our football again.”
Asked about utilising home advantage Manuela Tesse replied, “We hope to have more control, but we also know that Northern Ireland are a very strong team, they are organised and have good players. However, we must focus on our game, play without fear and show our strengths.”
The Sporting Fan reached out for comments from Northern Ireland’s Tanya Oxtoby but these remained unanswered at the time of writing.
Speaking to the Irish FA media when announcing her unchanged selection from the previous round of fixtures against Portugal, Oxtoby made clear the team’s intentions to gain positive results, “We are keen to keep the momentum going and obviously this group (of players) is really together and looking forward to the next challenge.” The coach also suggested that the team is keen on a better showing against Malta than the initial match.
Malta and Northern Ireland will kick off proceedings at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali at 19:30 CET. Tickets are available online or at the gates, while the match will also be broadcast on TVM Sports+ and the BBC iPlayer.
Lead Images: Dorienne Grech / Irish FA
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