Malta……….0
Turkey……..3
Malta’s Women’s National Team signed off their European Qualifying campaign with a 3-0 home defeat to a solid Türkiye side on Tuesday evening.
The opening exchanges were fairly balanced, but Türkiye broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when a cross from the right deflected off Alexandra Gatt and into her own net. Four minutes later, the visitors had a chance to double their lead, but a header from another right-wing cross sailed over the bar.
Malta gradually got more of a foothold in the game, with Maria Farrugia and Kailey Willis linking up nicely in attack, though they struggled to find the final ball. Türkiye remained in control, and just before the break Ece Türkoğlu tapped home from close range to make it 2-0 after a slick move down the left.
The third goal came early in the second half, with İlayda Civelek cutting a low cross into the box for the onrushing Selen Altunkulak to finish past Maya Cachia.
Cachia kept the score respectable with a smart save from Ebru Topçu’s long-range shot on 59 minutes, while Melike Öztürk also went narrowly wide for Türkiye. Malta’s best opening fell to Maria Farrugia on 67 minutes, but her shot lacked power and was comfortably held.
The game finished 3-0, though on a positive note coach Manuela Tesse was able to hand senior debuts to Nyorah Celeste and Amy Catania off the bench.
