The Malta U-16’s girls concluded this year’s UEFA Development Tournament with a 8-0 defeat at the hands of a strong Ireland team. The Irish were at the back of two consecutive 4-0 wins against Turkey and Lebanon.
On the other hand, Malta opened their campaign with a 3-0 loss against Lebanon before losing 2-0 to Turkey despite producing a solid display. For this game, coach Saliba opted for goalkeeper Erika Muscat between the sticks while Kaysia Micallef was handed the captain’s armband.
Ireland forged ahead after five minutes when Lia O’Leary capitalised from point-blank range. Moments later, the Shelbourne FC player doubled Ireland’s lead with a close-range effort. Goalkeeper Muscat came to Malta’s rescue on several occasions before Ireland’s O’Leary scored her third before the half-time whistle.
At the restart, Ireland scored a fourth through substitute Grace Flanagan who fired home from close-range. Ireland’s captain Jodie Loughrey scored Ireland’s fifth after making her way into the box and slotting behind Muscat. Substitute Fiana Bradley converted her first touch of the game into goal in a one on one situation with the goalkeeper.
In the closing stages, Ireland added two more goals through Aoibhe Fleming and Grace Flanagan
IRELAND
Nix (46 K. Keane); A. Lillie (56 N. Tyrell), G. Fitzpatrick (46 A. Cantwell), H. Mackin (46 A. Fleming), K. Lawlee, E. Dolan (46 J. Fitzgerald), J. Ralph (56 F. Bradley), J. Loughrey, L. O’Leary (46 G. Flanagan), A. Madden (46 A. Turner), A. Kelly (56 J. Griffin)
Coach: Thomas Elmes
MALTA
Muscat (61 C. Borg); F. Al Girbi, A. Micallef, M. Spiteri (61 T. Kimamo), K. Micallef (45 Y. Azzopardi), M. La Rosa (80 A. Vassallo), E. Micallef, F. Bartolo, L. Calleja (80 S. Francalanza), L. Frendo (69 L. May Azzopardi), T. Scicluna
Coach: Kathleen Saliba
Referee: Kieran Mallia.
Photo c/o Stephen Gatt/Malta FA
