by Malta’s U17 Women’s National Team coach, Clint Tabone, admitted the shortcomings exposed in the tactical approach between the friendlies against Romania, while giving a view on the importance of facing foreign opposition as players transition to the senior team. Tabone gave insight into injuries & selection in view of the UEFA Women’s U17 European Championship Qualifications against Sweden & Lithuania in the upcoming week.
Romania Friendlies Showed Areas For Growth
Malta’s U17 Women’s National Team selection faced Romania twice on foreign soil late last week, with the team falling to two defeats by 5 – 0 and a 3 – 1. The matches were meant as preparation to face Lithuania and Sweden in the UEFA Women’s U17 European Championship Qualifications Round 1, in the upcoming week.
The team adopted a different approach following the opening defeat, with Clint Tabone giving insight into the tactical change between the two friendlies against Romania, “Yes, there was a change in the system from the first game. We were very disappointed with that performance, and I believe the plan didn’t work. Obviously, after analysing the match, we identified what we could do better and where we needed to adjust.”
Eyeing the second performance, Tabone continued, “We came out with a different system in second friendly in which we were much more organized than in the first game. The fact that we also managed to score and create a few chances shows some improvement compared to the first match.”
However, the Malta coach acknowledged that there are vast improvements needed to close the gap to foreign opposition, “Still, there are many aspects we need to keep working on with this squad especially knowing that we’ll be facing strong opponents.”
Romania particularly punished from set-pieces, with a lack of reaction from the Maltese defence paving the way for the goals. Clint Tabone admitted a particular weak point, “This is a problem we’ve struggled with for a long time. Many of the goals we concede with the national team come from set-pieces, even when we’re having a good performance overall.”
However, the Malta coach defended the player’s determination, “I don’t think it’s a lack of determination, but yes, at times we can be less focused. The strength of our opponents also makes a difference in those situations.”
Injuries & Facing Pressure
The Maltese side was struck by an early injury in the opening spell of the match, with Olivia Nazarko stretchered out from the pitch. Clint Tabone had no good news ahead of the upcoming qualification matches, “Unfortunately, Olivia picked up an injury early during the preparation friendlies and will be out for a few weeks to recover. It’s a big loss for us, as she’s an important player for the team ahead of the qualifiers.”
Meanwhile, the international matches presented a different level of pressure, with player reactions during matches cracking a view into the racing minds of these young individuals. A conceded penalty gave a clear picture, but there were several players who are known to be capable of further than what was shown.
Questioned about how the national setup works to ensure that player’s mental growth is also done in tandem with their footballing ability, Clint Tabone began, “In my opinion, the penalty shouldn’t have been given as Amy’s tackle was clear. Yes, I agree that in the first match I expected a lot more from certain individuals, and I wasn’t satisfied.”
He continued, “I’ve known this group for a while now, and it’s normal that at the beginning they feel a bit of pressure. Besides that, there were other factors beyond our control that I believe affected us to some extent.” However, there was no insight into the particular approach to bridge the mental pressure at international level.
Sweden & Lithuania Await
As mentioned above, the two friendlies against Romania were meant as preparation for the real deal. The team will be facing Lithuania on Monday at 13:00 and Sweden on Sunday 9th November at 12:00, in the UEFA Women’s U17 European Championship Qualifications Round 1. Both matches will be played at the Centenary Stadium and live-streamed on the Malta FA Youtube Channel.
Tabone confirmed the majority of the squad will be retained, “Yes, next week we’ll be playing against two strong teams, and we’ll be keeping the same squad, apart from one player who had to be replaced due to injury.”
Comparison between the two selections shows that Alessandra Consoli (Oratory Youths), Olivia Nazarko (Hibernians) and Edeson Grixti (Hibernians) have made way for Martina Vassallo (San Gwann), Pearl May Schembri (Hibernians) and Jade Micallef Cassar (Birkirkara). The full list selection for the upcoming matches is listed at the end of the article.
The team is braced with a target to utilise the previous experience, “Playing against these kinds of teams is a very good opportunity for us. It gives the players a chance to see the level abroad and to understand how much work we still need to do to reach that level.”
As to the objective in the upcoming fixtures, Clint Tabone simply said, “We’ll try to keep building on our last performance and do our best in the upcoming matches.”
The 20-player squad selection is shown below:
Goalkeepers
Katelyn Camilleri (Swieqi ZSP FC), Ezlyana Degiorgio (Hibernians FC)
Defenders
Amy Catania (Hibernians FC), Erika Cini (Valletta FC), Kesia Farrugia (Valletta FC), Jade Galea (Hibernians FC), Amy Portelli (Swieqi United), Krista Sacco (Birkirkara FC), Sara Anneloes Shaladi (Swieqi ZSP FC)
Midfielders
Kay Axiak (Birkirkara FC), Amy Borg (Swieqi ZSP FC), Alanah Ghio (Hibernians FC), Ana Mercieca (Birkirkara FC), Jade Micallef Cassar (Birkirkara FC), Nina-Lee Naudi (Sampdoria – ITA), Isabelle Said (Liverpool International Academy – CAN), Pearl May Schembri (Hibernians FC)
Forwards
Amberley Borg (Swieqi ZSP FC), Gloria Cassar (Birkirkara FC), Martina Vassallo (San Gwann FC)
Lead Image: Malta FA
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