by Malta’s Manuela Tesse provided a level-headed assessment as the team’s relegation was confirmed in the 2-0 defeat to Northern Ireland on Friday, with sights set on the future of the squad. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Tanya Oxtoby praised the team’s togetherness to secure qualification away from home.
Centurion and Malta’s captain on the night, Stephania Farrugia, expressed pride in reaching these milestones and underlined the determination to serve the team. Northern Ireland’s Rebecca McKenna beamed at the result with sights set on a positive bow on Tuesday in front of the home crowd.
Verdicts On The Performances
Barring the own goal, it may have felt like deja vu for Malta on Friday, who were unable to capitalise on offensive opportunities created early on, before succumbing to a goal late in the match to cement the defeat to Northern Ireland.
Manuela Tesse did not deny this recurrence, but acknowledged the need for patience, “It’s a process. I think today we played good football, we showed that we are capable. We changed the system and the players were amazing to take those instructions into the match. Obviously, when you concede an own goal like this heads drop a bit, but the team kept pushing. Overall, I am happy with the performance, but not happy with how we conceded the second goal because it was the same goal we conceded against Bosnia & Herzegovina. So, we need to improve on this.”
Echoing previous interviews, Malta’s coach also lamented the shooting rate, “In football there is one clear rule, that you have to shoot to score. We missed the goal because we didn’t shoot. We took a shot and hit the post through Haley Bugeja in the third minute, but in other cases we didn’t. Of course we have a young forward line, so it’s a process and we must be patient.”
On the other hand, Northern Ireland’s Tanya Oxtoby praised the team’s adaptation to the match to obtain the result, “We had to ride the wave a little bit in the first half and I thought we were mature in doing so. I the break we made a few tactical tweaks to exploit the spaces and the players took that on board. So we wrestled control in the second half and I thought we were really professional in doing so to get the result.”
With the team having come under fire earlier in the campaign for failing to find the target against Malta, Oxtoby praised the team’s build up and was happy with the conversion. The Australian also nodded to the collective improvement of the whole squad in the lead up to the match.
She said, “Our goal is a really good example of what we’ve been working on in training. Our final third play was good and we were trying to exploit the errors which we were looking for. Of course I always want more and I would like us to be more clinical. However, on the flip side we have a clean sheet to give our whole team the opportunity to play with more freedom.”
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Rebecca McKenna sped up the wing to deliver the assist that confirmed Northern Ireland’s victory. Assessing the match, McKenna said, “We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game in this group and Malta came out and played some really good football. I think we did better in the second half to stick together, relax on the ball and bring out the result.”
Squad Rotations
Malta’s Manuela Tesse confirmed that things do not look good for Haley Bugeja who was forced off through injury, but there was a positive in the return of Emma Xuereb to the pitch.
On the other hand, Tesse defended the late introductions, “The team was performing well. However, once the second goal went in, the dynamic of the match changed and it was important to also give some minutes to players who have been putting in the work in the past months.”
Likewise, Northern Ireland kept plenty of firepower on the bench. Tanya Oxtoby also addressed the limited substitutions, “It felt like we were in control of the match, even at 1-0. We could have made more changes but it felt like we had good rhythm. However, it’s credit to the whole squad for the work over the past week to get ourselves ready for this match. It’s not just about the minutes that you play. So really pleased for the whole squad to get the result and we move on to Tuesday.”
Milestones For A Veteran & A Debutant
Having led her hometown club onto the pitch many times, Stephania Farrugia led her nation for the first time on Friday, in honour of having exceeded the 100th cap. Farrugia expressed the pride in leading the team onto the pitch, “It’s a dream that has come true for me and it is difficult to describe what it means. It’s a huge honour and I thank coach Tesse for giving me this opportunity.”
Ever the fighter, Malta’s number five picked up a niggle early on in the match, but was determined to push through, “Yes, I felt something, but I did not want to be replaced. I wanted to give my all to the team to try to get a positive result.”
Farrugia was also deployed in a wider position this time round, something that she was ready to take up for the benefit of the team, “I used to play as right-back in the past, before I switched to the more central position. So, I’m used to it and it’s a different game because you get to attack more, which I also enjoy. The coach gave me my instructions and I was ready to play as needed. In the end I’m ready to play wherever the team needs me.”
Stephania Farrugia’s debut came in 2007 and today she is one of the most recognised faces in the women’s game in Malta. While the young talents of Haley Bugeja and Maria Farrugia are also among the more established in the squad, the match continued to push new names to the forefront of the Malta Women’s National Team. Valentina Rapa added another appearance having already featured as a full-back, but this time trusted in the heart of the defence alongside Stephania Farrugia. Maya Lucia also played an extensive portion of the match, besides Kailey Willis.
Lexine Farrugia also made her debut for the national team. Malta’s coach, Manuela Tesse, was buoyed by the debutant, noting that she is another symbol of what’s to come, “She showed she can play in the senior team with the three or four touches that she had. So, I’m very positive for the future.”
Probed about seeing the next generation of players take to the pitch, Stephania Farrugia said, “It’s good to see players getting the opportunity. Now it’s important for them to show that hunger, to challenge and fight for a place in the first eleven, because this is important for the national team to go forward.”
Final Matches
Despite having qualification secured, Northern Ireland will be looking to secure the best possible finish. Rebecca McKenna rallied the home crowd to get behind the team, “Bosnia are going to give their all, so it’s going to be a tough game. However, we’ve got to stick together as players and of course our fans are the best. Having them behind us really is like having the twelfth player and if they can come out and get behind us on Tuesday night that can help us to get across the line.” They will battle it out against Bosnia & Herzegovina at Windsor Park on Tuesday (19:00 CET).
Meanwhile, Malta will be facing leaders Portugal in their home who will be seeking to finish the group stages on a high after being held to a goalless draw by Bosnia & Herzegovina on Friday. That match will be played at the Municipal Stadium of Leiria at the date and same time.
Lead Image: Dorienne Grech
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