by Malta’s U16 side begins its UEFA Development Tournament campaign in Moldova this afternoon, with head coach Clint Tabone emphasising development and confidence as the key objectives. Facing the Faroe Islands, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Moldova, the focus remains on progress, unity and preparing players for the future demands of senior international football.
Tabone Tempers Expectations With Development Focus
While senior and U19 internationals return to their club duties, Malta’s youngest national side will take centre stage this week as the Women’s U16 team travels to Moldova for the UEFA Women’s U16 Development Tournament.
Head coach Clint Tabone’s squad begins its campaign this afternoon against the Faroe Islands (13:00). Malta will then face Bosnia & Herzegovina on Saturday at the same time, before concluding the tournament against the hosts Moldova on Tuesday at noon.
The Sporting Fan understands that the only matches that will be live-streamed by the host nation are the ones in which its team will be involved, thus Malta’s exploits against Moldova will the only ones that will be live-streamed. Stream links are yet to be provided.
While these nations are familiar opponents for Malta at senior level, the challenge will be a new experience for many of the players in Tabone’s squad.
The Malta coach was keen to temper expectations linked to senior national team performances against the same nations.
“Obviously, as always, we will make our maximum effort to achieve positive results. However, we cannot compare the senior team, which is already well developed, with young players where our main priority is their development.”
He continued, “Of course we will try to be competitive in every match, but at this stage it is very important that the players give their maximum effort and show positive progress that will help them reach the level required for the senior national team in the future.”
The tournament also provides an important platform to continue addressing developmental gaps identified in previous competitions.
Tabone weighed in, “I believe that the unity within the team will help us deliver good performances. During our preparation we worked on some of the weaknesses we had in previous tournaments.”
Above all, Tabone encouraged his players to be bold in expressing their football, “Most importantly, I want the players to be confident and not feel intimidated by anyone, because every player in our squad is capable and has the abilities to compete.
Tabone Emphasises Collective Strength
The 20-player squad features a blend of players who have stood out in the U16 BNF National League, alongside two players currently developing their football outside Malta.
Five members of the squad come from league champions Swieqi ZSP, while Hibernians also contribute five players spread across defence, midfield and attack. Birkirkara provide three players, with Valletta and Lija-Mgarr represented by two each.
Amy Catania of Hibernians is the only player in the squad to have already featured at senior league level.
The squad also sees the return of Katrina Catania, currently the leading scorer in the domestic U16 league. She is followed in the scoring charts by Amy Catania and Swieqi ZSP’s Martina Montebello Caruana.
Despite Katrina Catania’s goalscoring form, Tabone was quick to emphasise that the focus remains firmly on the collective rather than individuals.
He replied, “Katrina Catania is a player who can give a positive contribution to the team, just like every other player in the squad. However, for me every player has their own importance, and I always focus on the team rather than individuals.”
Tabone concluded by expressing confidence in the group heading into the tournament., “I strongly believe in the group we have selected for this development tournament, and I have no doubt that the players will make us proud, just like they did in the last development tournament that took place last September.”
Full Selection:
Goalkeepers
Katelyn Camilleri (Swieqi ZSP), Mariah Chircop (San Gwann FC)
Defenders
Amy Catania (Hibernians FC), Rihanna Fava Borg (Hibernians FC), Cassidy Massa (Hibernians FC), Maria Micallef (Swieqi ZSP), Elisa Polidano (Lija Mgarr FC)
Midfielders
Katrina Catania (Birkirkara FC), Erika Cini (Valletta FC), Alessandra Consoli (Oratory Youths FC), Kesia Farrugia (Valletta FC), Isabella Garcia (Milton Magic FC – Canada), Elanya Mallia (Lija Mgarr FC), Martina Montebello Caruana (Swieqi ZSP), Martina Mendez Vasquez (Hibernians FC), Amy Muscat (Birkirkara FC), Amie Marta Portelli (Birkirkara FC)
Forwards
Amberley Borg (Swieqi ZSP), Katrine Jorgenson (Swieqi ZSP), Keziah Richard (Hibernians FC)
Lead Image: Elise Bajada
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