Northern Ireland And Malta Share The Points At Windsor Park

Northern Ireland and Malta take a point each in Group B3 following a 0-0 stalemate at Windsor Park. The Northern Ireland had a goal disallowed in the opening half, before Malta managed to complete the shut-out to earn a prestigious point in their League B debut. Portugal lead the group following a 3-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Team Selections

Tanya Oxtoby opted for the experience of Jackie Burns in goal, protected by the trio of Rebecca McKenna, Nadene Caldwell and Laura Rafferty. Caragh Hamilton and Demi Vance occupied the wings, while Joely Andrews, Chloe McCarron and captain Marissa Callaghan started in the centre of the park. Simone Magill and Lauren Wade led the attack.

Meanwhile, Manuela Tesse retained faith in Janice Xuereb in goal. Captain Emma Lipman returned to the heart of the defence alongside Stephania Farrugia. Charlene Zammit and Ann-Marie Said protected the flanks. Rachel Cuschieri started in midfield in the company of Shona Zammit and Brenda Borg. Maria Farrugia spearheaded the attack, flanked by Haley Bugeja and Alishia Sultana.

How It Unfolded

The home side commanded possession for large portions of the match but met a resilient Maltese side. Armed with plenty of pace out wide, the Northern Ireland pinned Malta back with a strong hold on possession. However, the home side struggled to fashion real opportunities with Simone Magill forced to drop deeper to collect the ball. Close to the half-hour mark Demi Vance forced a save from Janice Xuereb, before Joely Andrews attempted a low free-kick into the box, which was cleared by Haley Bugeja.

Having soaked up pressure, Malta managed a good spell of possession shortly after, with the midfield trio linking defence into attack well. Brenda Borg earned the visitors a free-kick, but the delivery landed just ahead of everyone with the attack fizzing away into a goalkick. The visitors then appeared to hit into a deadly transition minutes from half-time. However, Maria Farrugia was unable to take the pass from Haley Bugeja into her stride, with the opportunity fading away.

The home support were on their feet celebrating Simone Magill’s goal just on the stroke of half-time, with the forward seemingly having rolled the ball into the far corner after a pull-back from Joely Andrews. However, the goal was disallowed with the officials deeming the forward to have handled the ball, to the dismay of the home contingent and the relief of those in red.

Both coaches appeared happy with their first-eleven at half-time, making no substitutions. Malta’s Shona Zammit fired with venom from the edge of the area but saw her attempt fizz just wide of the mark. The midfielder did well to pounce on a loose clearance after Haley Bugeja had delivered a low cross into the box.

The home side responded with more pressure, but a corner kick delivery was saved by Janice Xuereb, before Alishia Sultana cleared the loose pickings at the near post. Emma Lipman was next to stick out a foot to deny the cut-back from Caragh Hamilton.

Substitutes ensued for both sides close to the hour mark. Keri Halliday and Megan Bell came on for the home team, in replacement of Marissa Callaghan and Joely Andrews. Meanwhile, Malta were forced into a substitution as Alishia Sultana hit the deck. She was replaced by Kailey Willis who slotted in the centre of attack, pushing Maria Farrugia out wide.

The home team continued in their search to convert their possession into attacking threat, but another cross from Lauren Wade was this time dealt with on the other side by Charlene Zammit. Malta sprung into another attack as Maria Farrugia carried the ball forward, linking with Haley Bugeja out wide. However, the pass was just slightly overcooked, forcing Bugeja into a cross, which was well read by Jackie Burns. The visitors managed to earn a corner six minutes past the hour, which Rachel Cuschieri swung toward Stephania Farrugia, but the effort was just wide.

Keri Halliday continued her bright appearance out, surging into acres of space on the left wing, but a cross-shot was well dealt with by Janice Xuereb once more. The Maltese goalkeeper was again called into action as Demi Vance attempted to release Simone Magill behind.

Malta were forced into another subtitution in the 72nd minute as captain Emma Lipman dropped to the floor. Valentina Rapa took to the pitch in her stead, occupying the right-back position, while Charlene Zammit partnered Stephania Farrugia. Tanya Oxtoby responded with another change as Connie Schofield made her debut in replacement of Caragh Hamilton.

The substitute almost teed up Chloe McCarron, who attempted to find the top left corner with a strike from distance, but Janice Xuereb palmed for a corner. A short routine followed, with Keri Halliday launching into the box but close to Janice Xuereb who gobbled up at the near post once more.

The home side continued flooding forward with Malta’s defence earning little respite as the visitors struggled to hold possession up top. Kailey Willis became increasingly isolated as the final minutes of the match approached as Malta shored up the defence. Both coaches were urging their teams to make their final efforts, while Malta’s substitutes were warming up with one eye on the match, encouraging their compatriots from the sidelines, in attempt to battle the home support.

Final subsitutions ensued with Tanya Oxtoby trusting Emily Wilson in replacement of Lauren Wade. Malta’s Manuela Tesse made a defensive swap bringing on Nicole Sciberras instead of Haley Bugeja, with Rachel Cuschieri slotting out wide.

Malta appeared to be onto something in injury time as Brenda Borg came away with the ball in midfield, but opted to try to release Maria Farrugia behind which was read by Jackie Burns. The home team responded with another forward burst, however Valentina Rapa got enough on the ball.

Maria Farrugia still had something left in the tank to inject a final attack in search of late drama. She found Rachel Cuschieri who supported out wide and attempted to link Kailey Willis with a ball into the box. However, Laura Rafferty read it well, before Kailey Willis recovered a late corner for the visitors, trickling time away from the home team.

A last burst forward ensued from the home side before the full time whistle sounded, sending the teams into the dressing rooms still deadlocked.

Standings & Next Matches

The two teams come away with a point each, which will likely suit the visitors more as they mark their debut in League B with immediate chalk on the board. Elsewhere, Portugal beat Bosnia & Herzegovina by 3-0. Carole Costa opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, before an own goal by Gloria Sliskovic gave the home side a two-goal cushion into the break. Diana Silva wrapped up the third just seconds after coming onto the pitch in the second half.

The Northern Ireland will thus seek a first victory against Bosnia & Herzegovina, who will be looking to earn their first points in the group following the opening defeat. The two meet this Tuesday 9th April with an afternoon kick-off at 15:30.

Sights will then be set on the Centenary Stadium in Malta, as the Maltese team will look to combine the confidence of earning the first point in League B, together with the push from home support, against leaders Portugal. The match will be played this Tuesday (9th) at 18:30, with tickets available for online purchase here.

Lead Image: Malta FA