by A record crowd of 1,026 supporters for an international women’s football match in Malta were treated to a hard-fought contest where Portugal emerged with a 2-0 victory over the home side. Portugal maximise their points from the first round of the UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers and deal Malta a first defeat since last July. Carole Costa nudged Portugal in front from the penalty spot early in the second half, before substitute Ana Capeta doubled the lead late on. Malta’s woes were compounded by an injury to goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.
Team Selections
Manuela Tesse made two changes from the team that met the Northern Ireland. Janice Xuereb continued her stay in goal protected by a starting back-four in Ann-Marie Said, Stephania Farrugia, Charlene Zammit and new starter Valentina Rapa. Rachel Cuschieri captained the side in the absence of Emma Lipman, continuing to operate in midfield in the company of Shona Zammit and Brenda Borg. Kailey Willis was given the nod in the centre of attack, flanked by the duo of Haley Bugeja and Maria Farrugia.
Francisco Neto reshuffled the pack making five changes from the team that pipped Bosnia & Herzegovina on Friday. Ines Pereira was given the nod in goal. Ana Seica was given the start in defence alongside Carole Costa and Ana Borges. Dolores Silva captained the side and occupied the centre of the pitch alongside Andreia Jacinto, with Francisca Nazareth operating further forward. Lucia Alves and Catarina Amado operated as wing-backs, while Jessica Silva and Diana Silva led the attack.
How It Unfolded
Although Portugal were the hot-favourites, the referee’s whistle gave way to a pretty even start to the game. Portugal looked to pounce early attempting to release Jessica Silva, but Janice Xuereb gobbled quickly. At the other end, Kailey Willis rode an early challenge before finding Maria Farrugia. Malta’s number ten fired the low shot just wide, but the opportunity encouraged the home bench and support alike.
Portugal’s Jessica Silva glanced a header just wide from a free-kick shortly after, before her opposite number Maria Farrugia burst forward once more. She linked to Haley Bugeja who won a corner for the home team. However, Ines Pereira made the aerial delivery hers.
As the twentieth minute rolled in the visitors had grown in confidence on the ball, with Malta increasingly retreating back. Francisca Nazareth attempted to find the far left corner with a direct free-kick but the ball crept just wide. Another set-piece followed shortly after, this time with Jessica Silva crossing into the box. Valentina Rapa cleared into Ana Seica who skied the volley.
The visitors piled forward with five and six on the attack and got joy on the flanks, while Malta’s midfield trio looked to support the defence in staying compact in the heart of the pitch. Lucia Alves delivered a low cross which was met by Charlene Zammit, before Rachel Cuschieri cleared with distance. Stephania Farrugia was next to block a shot from Portugal’s number three. At the other side Ann-Marie Said was keen to head away any attempts to dink balls to release Catarina Amado.
The Portuguese fired another chance from a free-kick from the edge of the box. This time Dolores Silva was the one to put her foot through it, but found Janice Xuereb equal to the effort. The chances encouraged the travelling support, but the home crowd roared back, sticking with their troops.
With Malta having withstood a barrage of attacks, the home side earned themselves a half chance as the final five minutes of the opening half rolled in. Kailey Willis displayed excellent composure to hold the ball for support to arrive. Malta’s number seven released Haley Bugeja with a well-weighted ball, who attempted to find Maria Farrugia’s run into the box. However, Lucia Alves nicked it to concede the corner. Malta raised claims for a penalty deeming a hand-ball in the box, but play continued. Despite Haley Bugeja sending the ball into the net, the referee pulled back for a foul on Ana Borges.
Portugal had another opportunity to strike minutes from half-time with a cross from Catarino Amado into Francisca Nazareth but it was headed just wide, before a corner delivery was headed away by Valentina Rapa.
Half-Time Score: Malta 0 – 0 Portugal
Neither coaches made changes at the break. Portugal were handed a cheap corner which Janice Xuereb punched out. However, the visitors were encouraged forward, with the referee pointing to the spot shortly into the restart for an apparent handball, despite the pleas from the Maltese defence. Carole Costa had a cool head to slot home into the bottom left corner in the 48th minute, earning her second goal in as many matches and sending the visitors in front.
Portugal fashioned another big opportunity in the 55th minute as Catarina Amado was well found at the far post. Janice Xuereb shuffled to cover the near post against the cushioned effort, but fell to the floor shortly after. Despite a lengthy time-out the goalkeeper appeared determined to continue.
Instead, Malta’s Alishia Sultana replaced club and national teammate Valentina Rapa. Maria Farrugia was again crucial in relieving pressure from the defence with a forward surge, while Malta increased their numbers behind the ball as the visitors looked to increase their lead.
Despite trying to brave through the match, Janice Xuereb’s night was done as the goalkeeper soared into the air for a catch, but waved to the bench on the landing, signalling the end of her match.
Patricia Ebejer took to the pitch in her stead and was immediately tested with an aerial delivery intended to release Diana Silva behind the defence. However, the goalkeeper was quick off her line to collect. Manuela Tesse looked to increase support in the defence by bringing on Nicole Sciberras instead of Kailey Willis.
Portugal continued searching for more. They earned themselves successive corners but Stephania Farrugia headed away to safety on a night when not much got past the defender, before Carole Costa got her head on the second delivery but saw it skim wide.
Tatiana Pinto took to the pitch instead of captain Dolores Silva, while Ana Capeta replaced Catarina Amado. Capeta occupied the forward line while Jessica Silva switched to the right wing. Capeta and Silva combined for the second goal in the 78th minute, with Silva drifting inside loosing her marker and picking out Capeta who finished into the net to double the lead.
Malta attempted to respond by earning a corner into the final ten minutes but miscommunication saw the opportunity ebb away. The home side next attempted to break free as Shona Zammit picked out Haley Bugeja’s run on the wing. However, Portugal’s Ana Borges was on her tail to diffuse the danger as Malta’s number twenty-one attempted to cut inside.
Both sides of the crowd were still in full voice urging both sides on as the fourth official confirmed a total of twelve minutes added on, which the coaches responded to with a final swap. Portugal’s Jessica Silva gave way to Carolina Mendes partnered Ana Capeta in attack while Diana Silva shifted wide. Meanwhile, Malta’s Jade Flask replaced Haley Bugeja, with Flask becoming the centre attacker, while Maria Farrugia drifted to the left flank.
Portugal looked to mount a final challenge with Lucia Alves striking the post from distance, before a deep delivery toward Carolina Mendes was gobbled up by Patricia Ebejer.
Malta’s Maria Farrugia was still searching to get something back, racing forward past Ana Borges, but the Portuguese skipper recovered with an expertly timed sliding tackle.
Final Score: Malta 0 – 2 Portugal
Standings & Next Matches
Portugal walk away from the first round of fixtures with the maximum points, placing themselves firmly at the top of the table in Group B3. Meanwhile, Malta will start the second round to be held in the end of May in third place with a point, after the Northern Ireland pipped themselves to second place on four points with a 3-1 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina earlier in the day. The latter will have work to do as they find themselves still looking for their first points on the board.
Until then, players return to their clubs with sights set on finishing their respective domestic seasons.
Lead Image: Just One Click Media (Brandon Bonett)
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[…] twice, first in the all-decisive promotion match against Latvia (1,008 attendees), and then again against Portugal (1,026) in April’s UEFA Women’s European […]