Malta women’s squad named for Italy friendly

Malta women’s national team coach Manuela Tesse has named a squad of 23 players ahead of the international friendly match away to Italy, scheduled for Friday, October 25.

The match will take place at the Tre Fontane sports facility in Rome, kicking off at 6.15pm.

With Malta having wrapped up their UEFA Women’s Group B3 qualifiers in July, the friendly against Women’s Euro 2025 finalists Italy is an enticing opportunity for the Malta players to test themselves against top-tier opposition.

Tesse will no doubt be using this international window to prepare the team for their next competition, the UEFA Women’s Nations League commencing in February.

Her squad selection is a blend of experienced and young players, albeit a number of key players are sidelined with injuries.

These include Birkirkara pair Janice Xuereb and Stephania Farrugia, both recovering from long-term knee injuries.

Ann-Marie Said, of Mġarr United, and Swieqi United’s Jade Flask are also been dealing with injury-related issues lately.

Experienced midfielder Rachel Cuschieri misses out, having recently returned to the fray with her new club Genoa.

On the other hand, Tesse has awarded Mġarr United defender Abigail Camilleri her first senior call-up.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS                                            
Raisa Costantino (Gelbison Women, Italy), Giulia D’ Antuono (Mġarr United), Patricia Ebejer (Mġarr United).

DEFENDERS                                                    
Abigail Camilleri (Mġarr United), Mariah Cardona (Birkirkara), Leanne Cefai (Mġarr United), Alexandra Gatt (Durham Cestria, England), Emma Lipman (Genoa, Italy), Valentina Rapa (Birkirkara), Emma Xuereb (Swieqi United), Charlene Zammit (Birkirkara) .

MIDFIELDERS                                             
Brenda Borg (Mġarr United), Veronique Mifsud (Mġarr United), Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians), Gabriella Zahra (Birkirkara), Shona Zammit (Swieqi United).

FORWARDS                                    
Haley Bugeja (Inter, Italy), Yulya Carella (Mġarr United), Ylenia Carabott (AFC Fylde, England), Alishia Cassar (Birkirkara), Lexine Farrugia (Roma, Italy), Maria Farrugia (Sheffield United, England), Kailey Willis (Venezia, Italy).