Bosnia Herzegovina 2 Malta 1
(HT 0-1)
Maria Farrugia 10’, Milena Nikovic 64’, 90+3’
A late goal three minutes into injury time consigned Malta women to another defeat in the return fixture against Bosnia Herzegovina. It is now virtually certain that the ladies will be in last place in Group B 3 thus facing relegation to League C.
Malta were looking to bounce back from their cruel defeat against Bosnia last Friday in the return fixture in Zenica. And Malta started with a blinder, taking the lead after just 10 minutes. Alicia Sultana squared to Brenda Borg who in turn released Maria Farrugia who smashed a fine shot past Almina Hodzic.
Bosnia did react to that surprise goal but the Malta defence held firm restricting their opponents to efforts from outside the box. In fact, another great chance came Malta’s way on 33 minutes when a free kick by Rachel Cuschieri forced an excellent save off Hodzic with Haley Bugeja missing the rebound which ended up wide.
The Bosnians had a good chance right on the stroke of half time when a cross by Kapetanovic found Minela Gacanica whose header ended well over. But Bosnia then missed a golden chance deep in stoppage time when they were awarded a penalty after Gacanica was judged to have been felled in the box by Said. Captain Milena Nikovic stepped up but her shot ended up well wide much to the delight of the Maltese girls.
Bosnia continued dictating play but Malta had another excellent chance on 57 minutes when Bugeja let fly from outside the box with Hodzic tipping the ball over the bar. Bosnia had another fine chance on the hour mark with Gacanica’s effort ending up just wide.
Three minutes later, Bosnia equalized when a fine cross by Krso found Nikovic who made amends for her penalty miss with a fine header from close range that gave Ebejer no chance. Bosnia continued pressing forward and had another fine chance six minutes from time with Elma Husic rifling a strong shot that was well saved by Patricia Ebejer.
Unfortunately for Malta, Nikolic managed to find a winner deep into stoppage time after a fine cross by Krso which found the Bosnian captain who cooly slotted past Ebejer.
Malta: Patricia Ebejer, Ann-Marie Said, Emma Lipman, Stefania Farrugia, Alicia Sultana (Nicole Sciberras 74’), Maria Farrugia, Rachel Cuschieri, Shona Zammit, Charlene Zammit, Brenda Borg (Maya Lucia 86’), Haley Bugeja (Kailey Willis 74’).
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Almina Hodzic, Gloria Sliskovic, Marija Milinkovic, Melisa Hasanbegovic, Milena Nikolic, Emina Ekic (Elma Krajnic 89’), Selma Kapetanovic (Andrea Čul 78’), Minela Gacanica (Sofija Krajšumović 73’), Amela Krso, Dajana Spasojevic (Elma Husić 78’), Aida Hadzsic (Ena Sabanagic 46’)
Referee: Sofik Torosyan (ARM) 1st assistant: Liana Grigoryan (ARM) 2nd assistant: Kristine Grigoryan (ARM) 4th official: Zaven Hovhannisyan (ARM)
