by The Malta U15 women’s squad led by Clint Tabone completed their final commitment in the UEFA Women’s U15 Development Tournament against Luxembourg on Monday. The Maltese team won their match against the hosts Albania on penalties, but lost out against the Faroe Islands and Luxembourg.
The Results
Loss to Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands came out all guns blazing, defeating the Maltese team by 5-0, curtesy of a hat-trick by Sigrid Hansdottir and a brace from Kara Sigurdsson. Tabone’s team was trailing by 3-0 after half an hour of play. The first goal from Hansdottir came after quarter of an hour of play, from a curled shot outside the penalty area that found the far top corner. The Faroe Islands got the second around five minutes later by winning possession in midfield and quickly building it into an attack, before the same left forward dribbled past the defence and slotted home. She completed the hattrick with a precise first-time finish on a ball launched from deep.
Although Malta held off the Faroe Islands from extending the lead into the second half, Kara Sigurdsson got two quick goals in the 75th and 77th minute to add further woes. The Faroe Islands won the ball high up the pitch and a cross from the right side was not dealt with, allowing the striker to hit unchallenged. The strike was somewhat lucky in that it hit the post before hitting the goalkeeper’s back and going in. The fifth came a couple of minutes later which saw the striker tap in a low cross from the six-yard box.
The Faroe Islands made it a perfect tournament with victories over Luxembourg (3-1) and Albania (5-0).
Malta Win On Penalties Against Hosts Albania
The Maltese team faired better against Albania, drawing to 3-3, before winning the penalty shootout. Tabone’s team opened the scoring into the fifth minute of the match, with Mariah Micallef converting after the Albanian team failed to properly clear a cross from Izabella Stringer. The home side responded within a minute later, with a cross into their forward Audrina Lajthiza, who dribbled past the onrushing goalkeeper before slotting home the equaliser.
The hosts took the lead in the twentieth minute with a long-range strike by Suada Braha, that beat the goalkeeper on the bounce. The Maltese responded with a similar strike just a minute later, driven home by Pearl Schembri. Izabella Stringer nudged Malta back into the lead after twenty-five minutes of play with a header from a set-piece that found the corner. However, Albania drew level in the seventieth minute thanks to Zakea Tanaj, who sent the match to penalties. A combination of penalty saves by the goalkeeper and conversions from the spot ensured a victory for Malta.
Luxembourg’s Victory Over Malta
The Maltese contingent succumbed to another defeat at the hands of Luxembourg, who won by 3-1. The deadlock was broken by Luxembourg’s with a long-distance strike after twenty minutes of play. However, Amy Portelli equalised close to the hour mark, after receiving the ball from a short corner which she chipped into the net. The two sides had opportunities to trouble the goalkeepers but it was Luxembourg who capitalised. The team nudged in front with another long-range effort in the 75th minute, before wrapping up the victory in injury time with an incisive attack.
Lead Image: Malta FA
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