Tesse selects final squad as Malta vies for Nations League promotion

Maltese side to face Moldova, Latvia in campaign finale.

Manuela Tesse has called up a 23-player squad as the Malta women’s national team will gear up their preparations ahead of a decisive UEFA Women’s Nations League double-header.

The Maltese side travel to Moldova where they will face the hosts with a League B promotion at stake, on December 1 (kick-off: 3pm).

Four days later, Malta hosts Latvia at the Centenary Stadium whose kick-off is slated at an early 4pm slot.

In reference to this decision, the Malta FA clarified that this kick-off time was decided by UEFA as it requires a simultaneous start for all League C matches on the final day.

With two games left, Malta currently enjoys a five-point lead at the top of their League C group and a victory at Moldova would guarantee them a League B spot in the upcoming edition.

Italian coach Tesse has kept faith with most of the players that triumphed twice over Andorra in the previous international window, including clinical forward Haley Bugeja who is currently the competition’s overall best scorer with eight goals.

She has also recently opened her account at her new club Inter, scoring the winning goal in their 2-1 victory over Pomigliano in the Serie A Femminile.

Included in the squad is also experienced forward Ylenia Carabott, who has also found the net for London Seaward’s first team in the FA Women’s National League.

Young goalkeeper Raisa Costantino has earned her first senior call up after impressing in the opening part of the season at SPD Tharros, in the Italian Serie C.

The former Hibernians’ custodian has already made 10 appearances for her new side in the 2023/2024 campaign.

Meanwhile, another young player has been included in the squad – Tammy Falzon.

The defender has proved to be a key player for Swieqi United as the Owls are one of the teams challenging for the domestic title.

Both Costantino and Falzon represented Malta at youth level, including in UEFA European qualifiers.

The national team will gather this Sunday to launch their window and are expected to travel to Moldova on Tuesday.

Latvia, on their part, face Andorra in a home game before travelling to face Malta on our shores.

Forming part of the Baltic squad ahead of these two matches is Karlina Miksone, who plays with Poland’s Czarni Sosnowiec and has scored five of Latvia’s 12 goals in this tournament.

Sitting bottom with just one point to show for their efforts are Moldova, who have also announced their squad for the Malta and Andorra games.

Mġarr United’s defender Anastasia Sivolobova is one of the players named by the Moldova coach.

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli.