UEFA Women’s Nations League Group C2 Round 1
Stadium: AEK Arena / Larnaca / Cyprus
Date: 21.02.2025 7PM
Cyprus…………….2
Malta……………..1
Goals: M. Constantinou 34’, A Violari 38’ (Cyprus), Sarah Papadopoulou (og) 50’ (Malta)
Malta went down by two goals to one against Cyprus in a closely contested encounter in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.
The Maltese girls started brightly and had a half chance after six minutes through a Haley Bugeja shot that was easily saved by Matthaiou. The first real chance came for Cyprus when a header by Antri Violari ended up just wide.
Malta had a superb chance on 17 minutes when a cross by Maria Farrugia found Kailey Willis whose header was somehow saved by Matthaiou. The rebound fell to Rcahel Cuschieri who shot well over the bar.
Cyprus were desperately unlucky not to go ahead on 17 minutes when a cross by their captain Marilena Giorgiou found Papadopoulou whose header slammed against the post with Janice Xuereb beaten. Michail Erinni managed to spring the offside trap on 28 minutes but somehow the Maltese defence managed to clear.
The Cypriots went ahead in truly fortunate fashion on 34 minutes when Janice Xuereb attempted to clear her lines but her kick ended up deflecting off Antri Violari with the ball trickling into the net.
The second goal came four minutes later when a corner found Marilia Costantinou who headed over Xuereb who was left rooted. Malta were unlucky not to reduce the deficit just before half time when Cuschieri guided a near perfect cross which reached Maria Farrugia whose effort hit the post.
Malta did manage to reduce the deficit 5 minutes into the second half when Sarah Papadopoulou turned the ball into her own net after a Haley Bugeja cross.
Malta continued dominating proceedings in search of an equalizer with Haley Bugeja coming close with a fine shot on 74 minutes. However after a few attempts towards the end, Maltaa could not find a way past the Cypriot defence who held on for the three points.
Cyprus: Maria Matthaiou, Chryso Michael, Andrea Cusick, Maria Panagiotou, Filippa Savva, Antri Violari, Chara Charalambous (Andria Efstratiou 60’), Sara Papadopoulou, Marilena Georgiou (Efthalia Siakalli 77’), Eirini Michail (Maria Astaniou 77’), Marilia Constantinou (Korina Paola Adamou 60’)
Malta: Xuereb Janice, Lipman Emma Louise, Cuschieri Rachel, Farrugia Maria, Willis Kailey (Cassar Alishia 46’), Lucia Maya, Zammit Shona (Fiona Buttigieg 78’), Zammit Charlene, Xuereb Emma, Sciberras Nicole (Lexine Farrugia 84’), Bugeja Haley
Referee: Emily Heaslip (ENG) 1st additional:
1st assistant: Sophie Dennington (ENG)
2nd assistant: Isabel Chaplin (ENG)
4th official: Kirsty Dowle (ENG)
