WOMEN’S EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS
05.04.2024, Windsor Park, Belfast
N.Ireland………….0
MALTA………….0
(HT 0-0)
The Malta WNT kicked off their European Qualifier campaign with an away match against N.Ireland. From the get-go, the host team looked at keeping possession and dictating the game, keeping the Maltese back four busy with a series of pressing buildups. N. Ireland looked to swing the ball into the box, Malta’s centre defender, Farrugia, dealt with any possibly dangerous balls, on various occasions.
Whilst N. Ireland kept most of the possession during the first quarter of the first half, the Malta ladies, kept being discipline, holding up well to the pressure being created by the opposing team. It was not until the 26th minute when Malta’s defence faced two consecutive chances in the space of two minutes for N. Ireland testing Malta’s custodian Xuereb, who denied the hosts on both occasions. First it was Vance who swung the ball towards Magill but Xuereb was attentive. A few moments later it was Andrews who shot on target from outside the box, but her effort was covered again by Xuereb.
With the host team being a much stronger team, Malta kept working hard to create forward going opportunities, but keeping possession was proving to be difficult for the girls in red albeit we kept seeing some good movements from Bugeja and Farrugia upfront. Just before the half time mark, N. Ireland had a goal ruled out for a handball inside the penalty area.
With no changes to the starting formations on both sides, the beginning of the second half saw Malta’s players looking more confident, with Shona Zammit receiving the ball, after a number of good passes between Bugeja, Cuschieri and Farrugia, but her effort from outside the box flashed by the goalpost. A few minutes later, the referee signalled play on, after she deemed that no foal was committed inside the box on Magill. First substitutions for both teams came on the 59th minute, when for N. Ireland, Callaghan and Andrews left the pitch to be replaced with Halliday and Bell. For Malta, Sultana had to be substituted by Willis after having picked up an injury.
A well taken first corner for Malta on the 66th minute, but despite having a number of shirts in red in front of the goalkeeper, the ball ended up in a goal kick for N. Ireland. Two minutes later Xuereb was tested again but the Malta custodian was once again attentive. On the 70th minute Xuereb was once again sure of herself when she rushed onto an on rushing Wade, getting to the ball before the opponent. Another round of substitutions on both sides when on the 72nd minute, Malta’s captain had to forcefully leave the pitch after having also picked up an injury. She was substituted by Rapa. For N. Ireland Hamilton was substituted by Schofield.
On the mark of the 75th minute, Xuereb brilliantly turned into a corner, the McCarron’s attempt. Oxtoby, N. Ireland’s coach made another substitution in an attempt to find a last minute winner, when on the 89th minute Wilson substitute Hamilton. Bugeja subsequently left the pitch limping and was substituted by Sciberras. At the mark of the 90th minute, a five minute added time was shown. A good run by Cuschieri, and a good attempt by Willis ended up in a corner.
The final whistle brought celebratory reactions by the ladies in red.
Final Score N. Ireland 0 Malta 0
N.Ireland
Burns; R. McKenna; D.Vance; L.Rafferty; C. McCarron; M. Callaghan (Halliday 59); S. Magill; L. Wade (Wilson 89); N. Caldwell; C.Hamilton (Schofield 72); J.Andrews (Bell 59)
Malta
Xuereb; A.M. Said; E. Lipman (Rapa 72); S. Farrugia; R. Cuschieri; A. Sultana (Willis 59); M. Farrugia; C. Zammit; S. Zammit; B. Borg; H.Bugeja (Sciberras 89)
Referee
Maria Marotta (ITA)
