Malta……..0
Belarus….1
Malta were edged out 1-0 by Belarus in the second of two international friendly matches on Tuesday at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali. The decisive goal came in the 39th minute from Karyna Alkhovik.
The game started cautiously, with the opening twenty minutes dominated by midfield play. Malta created their first real chance in the 31st minute when Yulya Carella set up Haley Bugeja at the edge of the penalty area. Bugeja controlled the ball well and passed to Kailey Willis, but her shot was expertly saved by Belarus goalkeeper Katerina Miklashevich.
Belarus threatened shortly afterwards, as Alkhovik found space in the box in the 35th minute, only to be denied by a superb block from Stephania Farrugia. The breakthrough came moments later when Alkhovik was played through from the right and calmly slotted the ball past Giulia D’Antuono. Malta had a final opportunity before half time when Bugeja went past a defender and fired a shot from the right, which was comfortably held by Miklashevich.
The second half was more open, with both teams able to exploit spaces behind the defence. Belarus missed a clear chance to double their lead in the 52nd minute when Alkhovik shot over from close range. Malta responded three minutes later when Bugeja’s strike was blocked, leaving Rachel Cuschieri with a follow-up shot that was also well saved.
Malta continued to press for an equaliser with a few long-range attempts, but they were unable to penetrate the Belarus defence. The match ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors.
Malta lineup: Giulia D’Antuono (12 Maya Cachia 46’), Oceane Grange (17 Leah Ayres 71’), Stephania Farrugia (7 Amber Grech 85’), Rachel Cuschieri (C) (15 Tammy Falzon 71’), Kailey Willis (14 Shona Zammit 62’), Maria Farrugia (16 Leanne Cefai 85’), Emma Xuereb (11 Alexandra Marcella Gatt 46’), Yulya Carella, Nicole Sciberras, Haley Bugeja, Rebecca Bajada. Coach: Manuela Tesse
Belarus lineup: Katerina Miklashevich, Anastasiya Linnik (C), Anastasiya Shlapakova (15 Nastassia Shuppo 46’), Hanna Siniauskaya (23 Liya Tsikhamirava 65’), Zaryna Kapustsina, Hanna Kaziupa, Anastasiya Maher, Yuliya Sliasarchyk, Karyna Alkhovik (19 Anastasiya Kavaliova 65’), Melana Surautsava (18 Viktoryia Valiuk 46’), Aryna Sitnikava (21 Darya Harshkova 46’). Coach: Viachaslau Hryharau
Referee: Joanna Vassallo
Yellow cards: Anastasiya Shlapakova (BEL), Nicole Sciberras (MLT), Zaryna Kapustsina (BEL), Manuela Tesse (MLT)
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