By Arnold Farrugia
The Maltese girls achieved a historic milestone by beating Latvia after being behind and at the same time topping their group in the European Women’s Championships.
Malta started strongly with Haley Bugeja having a shot on 9 minutes that went just wide. However, Latvia got into the game slowly and comfortably fended off Maltese attacks although Alishia Sultana was lively on the wings. Kailey Willis had a good chance on 27 minutes, but her looping shot went just wide of the post defended by Vaivode.
Latvia had their first real chance on the half hour when Anastasija Poluhovica had an effort that went just wide of Janice Xuereb’s post. Malta were again close to opening the scoring on 41 minutes when a cross from the left found Kailey Willis who somehow could not connect successfully. On the stroke of half time, Rachel Cuschieri’s corner almost surprised Vaivode in the Latvia goal who had to punch the ball away for another corner.
Latvia went ahead after 50 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after a handsball in the box. Pohjuhovica stepped up and cooly sent Xuereb the other way to silence the feisty crowd. But Malta managed to equalize just eight minutes later when a fine cross by Kailey Willis found Hailey Bugeja who headed spectacularly into the corner to the delight of the raucous local support.
The wind was in Malta’s sails now and Bugeja had a splendid chance to make it 2-1 on 65 minutes, but the star striker’s shot inched past the post with Vaivode beaten. But on 73 minutes Malta went ahead after a beautifully orchestrated nove. Rachel Cuschieri advanced with the ball, crossed to Mari Farrugia who coolly rounded Vaivode and slotted into the net with the Centenary Stadium in delirium.
Lavia came close to an equalizer on 81 minutes with efforts by Pojuhovicka and Zaicikova blocked by Xuereb. The Maltese girls controlled the match after that and could even have added another goal for good measure, but history was made with Malta topping their group.
Malta: Janice Xuereb, Ann-Marie said, Emma Lipman, Stefania Farrugia, Rachel Cuschieri, Alishia Sultana (Maria Farrugia 46’), Kailey Willis, Brenda Borg, Emma Xuereb, Nicole Sciberras, Haley Bugeja
Latvia: Enija-Anna Vaivode, Anna Flakse, Paula Linina, Viktoria Zaicikova, Anastasia Poluhovica, Anastasija, Rocane, Sandra Voitane, Olga Sevcova, Anna Kristine Gornela, Anna Valaka, Karlina Miksone.
Referee: Rita Vehapi (KOS)
Assistant Referees: Lumturije Muhadri (KOS), Fitore Govori (KOS)
4th Official: Festinha Kosha (KOS)
