Northern Ireland Confirm Play-Offs Spot And Malta Relegation With Victory

Northern Ireland secured a 2-0 win over Malta to ensure their place into the play-off draws of the UEFA EURO Qualifications, in front of an attending crowd of 628. The result also confirms Malta’s relegation to League C. Northern Ireland were sent into the lead courtesy of an own goal early in the match, before Kerry Beattie headed home the second ten minutes from time. Malta’s Haley Bugeja was denied by the woodwork, before being forced off early through injury.

Team Selection

Malta’s Manuela Tesse made just one change from the team that faced Bosnia & Herzegovina away from home, bringing in Kailey Willis in attack, in the absence of Alishia Sultana. Patricia Ebejer stayed in goal, protected by the experience of Ann-Marie Said, Emma Lipman, Charlene Zammit and Stephania Farrugia, with the latter captaining the side for the first time. Rachel Cuschieri, Shona Zammit and Brenda Borg continued pulling the strings in midfield. Kailey Willis, Haley Bugeja and Maria Farrugia operated in attack.

Meanwhile, Tonya Oxtoby made four changes to the team that fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to Portugal. Simone Magill, Lauren Wade, Joely Andrews and Caragh Hamilton were all kept on the bench, with Nadene Caldwell, Louise McDaniel, Kerry Beattie and Casey Howe taking their place.

Jackie Burns protected the goal, fronted by Rebecca McKenna, captain Laura Rafferty and Rachel Dugdale. Nadene Caldwell partnered Brenna McPartlan in midfield, with Casey Howe and Rebecca Holloway operating on the wings. Keri Halliday started behind Kerry Beattie and Louise McDaniel.

The match was preceded by a presentation to Maltese player Stephania Farrugia on reaching the 100th cap for Malta against Bosnia & Herzegovina. Having made her national team debut in 2007, Stephania Farrugia is just the second Maltese female football player to reach this feat, after the recently retired and current record appearance holder Dorianne Theuma.

How It Unfolded

It was the home side who had the first major opportunity two minutes into the match. Rachel Cuschieri got things going from midfield, releasing Maria Farrugia, who squared it to the number-twenty-one. However, Bugeja’s left-footed effort clipped the post.

The Maltese were encouraged, with Stephania Farrugia surging from the right-back position forward, before cutting back to Rachel Cuschieri who launched the cross. Kailey Willis towered to direct the header, but Jackie Burns was well positioned to tip it over for the corner. The visitors were untroubled by the delivery, with Burns holding the loose ball and immediately releasing the team on the counter, but Rebecca Holloway’s surge fizzled away.

However, the momentum was reversed as Northern Ireland pushed up. Emma Lipman was forced to pass back to her goalkeeper, with the ball bobbling into the back of the net in the 9th minute, sending Northern Ireland into the lead. Rotations ensued for the visitors, with Keri Halliday switching to a wider role, pushing Louise McDaniel more central.

Despite the deflating moment, Malta attempted to snap into a positive response, with Emma Lipman driving forward to help the attack. Despite this, Northern Ireland grew in confidence with the goal in hand. Casey Howe surged past on the right-wing and launched into the box. However, Charlene Zammit was well positioned to head the ball away.

Malta responded with another opportunity a quarter of an hour into it, with Maria Farrugia driving forward once more, attempting to link with Kailey Willis and Haley Bugeja. However, Bugeja’s attempt to cut inside was well read by Rebecca McKenna.

Northern Ireland looked to double their lead from a Rebecca Holloway corner delivery, but despite getting two heads on it, Patricia Ebejer collected. Things took a turn for the worse for the home side on the half-hour mark as Manuela Tesse was forced to substitute Haley Bugeja through injury, with Maya Lucia coming on in her stead.

Northern Ireland had another major opportunity to go two up with a well-worked free-kick routine. Louise McDaniel cut it short to Keri Halliday, whose delivery caused mayhem in the Maltese box. However, Patricia Ebejer got a reaction to the first shot, before Charlene Zammit cleared. Casey Howe delivered the second ball toward Rebecca Holloway at the far post, but her header flew over the bar. Malta’s annoyance rose to another level as Charlene Zammit was booked by the Turkish referee, Cansu Tryak, with the defender arguing the decision.

Kailey Willis drew in a foul to earn Malta a shooting opportunity in the 41st minute. Ann-Marie Said curled a left-footer aiming for the far post, but the ball dipped just over the roof of the net.

Half-Time Score: Malta 0 – 1 Northern Ireland

Neither coach made any changes at the break. Northern Ireland sought to utilise the space on the flanks early on. Casey Howe managed to open up the space for the cross but overcooked the delivery, before Keri Halliday’s surge up the other side was denied by a sliding Ann-Marie Said.

The visitors’ Rebecca McKenna was also keen to dart up the pitch with blistering pace, earning the side a corner close to the hour mark. Rebecca Holloway delivered onto the head of Nadene Caldwell who rose well, but dinked it just over the bar. Kailey Willis responded with a shot from distance, noticing Jackie Burns off her line, but the effort curled off target.

The effects of the sweltering conditions became more apparent, not just on the pitch but also in the stands, as the match pace deadened just as much as the home crowd. On the other hand, the few Irish fans in the stands were happy to fill the silence with their voices, willing their team on toward victory.

Seeing the dip, Tanya Oxtoby made her first substitution on the 70 minute mark, bringing on Joely Andrews instead of Louise McDaniel. The visitors earned another corner as Shona Zammit put in a block on a cross delivery, before Keri Halliday’s delivery into the box was cleared by Stephania Farrugia. Emma Lipman was next to block Kerry Beattie’s effort as the forward attempted to shoot on the turn.

The visitors developed another opportunity to double the lead in the 76th minute, as Nadene Caldwell slipped Keri Halliday behind the defence. However, Patricia Ebejer just managed to get fingertips on the low drive, before Stephania Farrugia cleared to safety.

Despite this, Northern Ireland secured the comfort of a two-goal cushion ten minutes from normal time. Rebecca McKenna drove forward before delivering a peach of a ball onto the head of Kerry Beattie, who directed it into the left side of the net, confirming her nation’s place in the play-offs.

Both coaches made changes for the final minutes of the match. Lexine Farrugia took to the pitch making her debut in replacement of Kailey Willis. In defence, Emma Lipman and Charlene Zammit gave way to Valentina Rapa and Emma Xuereb. Gabriella Zahra also took to the field in replacement of Rachel Cuschieri. Meanwhile, Tanya Oxtoby brought on Danielle Maxwell and Lauren Wade, in replacement of Casey How and Keri Halliday.

Emma Xuereb was quickly welcomed by the referee who brandished a yellow card in the 90th minute for a tackle on Lauren Wade. Lauren Wade had the final opportunity in the match, being well found at the far post, but saw her cushioned volley fly over the bar. However, it was no matter as the final whistle sounded, confirming Northern Ireland’s place in third and qualification into the play-off round.

Final Score: Malta 0 – 2 Northern Ireland

Standings & Final Group Stage Match

Northern Ireland secure third place, joint on seven points with Bosnia & Herzegovina. Meanwhile, the defeat means that Malta are unable to add to their tally, confirmed in fourth place and relegated to the third-tier. Elsewhere, Bosnia & Herzegovina managed to hold Portugal to a goalless draw at home, docking the first points from the leaders.

The final matchday will serve up a finale as Northern Ireland will welcome Bosnia & Herzegovina at Windsor Park to determine second place on Tuesday 16th July at 19:00 CET. Meanwhile, Malta will travel to Portugal to meet the group leaders for the final match at the same date and time.

Lead Image: Dorienne Grech

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