Tough defeat for Malta U-19’s girls against 2022 edition runners-up Norway

Norway 10-0 Malta

The Malta U-19’s selection launched their 2022/2023 UEFA Women’s U-19’s European Championship qualifications with a 10-0 defeat against giants Norway, in Portugal.

As expected, Frank Schembri’s side find the going tough against the 2022 runners-up who are one of the favourites for the final crown in next year’s finals in Belgium.

The Maltese side are making their debut in League A having finished as the best runners-up in the previous edition of this tournament.

The Scandinavian side opened a six-goal lead in the opening 45 minutes, living up to their standards and pocket the first three points of the campaign as quickly as possible. 

For this game, coach Schembri deployed Venezia’s goalkeeper Maya Cachia between the sticks with the backline formed by Georgiana Mifsud, Tammy Falzon, Alexandra Gatt and Izabella Camilleri.

Ileana Farrugia, Megan La Rosa and Michela Ionadi composed the midfield while Yulya Carella, Iulia Mifsud and Sarah Vella Barberi were the attacking trio. 

On the other hand, Norway’s side was largely made up by domestic-based side players together with Thea Kyvag, subject of a move to West Ham United during the summer. 

Ina Birkelund grabbed a brace for the Norwegians early in the game before Signe Gaupset added a third.

Malta’s captain Gatt, who plays in England at Durham Cestria, was unfortunate to have contributed to Norway’s fourth with an own goal on the 24th minute.

Two more goals followed, just before half-time, through Mawa Sesay and Guro Ron.

After the change of ends, Malta coach made two changes to his starting formation with Raisa Costantino replacing goalkeeper Cachia while Jeanelle Falzon was put into the defensive line instead of Camilleri.

Norway extended their lead through a Ron goal to make it 7-0, on the 52nd minute. 

Birkelund recorded a personal hat-trick when she grabbed her third and Norway’s eighth on minute 67. 

The Norwegian side continued to pile the pressure on the Maltese in search for more goals and they did add a ninth through Helene Veum. 

Six minutes from time, Sesay scored her second goal of the game as Norway sealed their 10-goal victory to open their campaign in style. 

NORWAY
S. Duffy; E. Iversen (61 O. Johansen), K. Olsen (46 M. Flink), H. Veum, I. Rame, S. Gaupset (46 V. Andersen), A. Taraldsen, S. Brekken (61 K. Melgard), G. Ron, M. Sesay, I. Birkelund.

MALTA
M. Cachia (46 R. Costantino); G. Mifsud, T. Falzon. A. Gatt, I. Camilleri (46 J. Falzon), I. Farrugia (87 S. Blihi), M. La Rosa, M. Ionadi, Y. Carella, I. Mifsud, S. Vella Barberi.

Referee: Jelena Cvetkovic (Serbia FA).

Scorers: Birkelund 8, 17, 67; Gaupset 21; Gatt 24 og.; Sesay 42, 84; Ron 43, 52; Veum 77.