Malta women’s squad named for key Nations League deciders

Malta women’s national team head coach Manuela Tesse has named a 25-player squad for the final two UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures — at home to Cyprus this Friday and away to Andorra on June 3.

With two matches remaining, Malta lead Group C2 with nine points from four games, ahead of Cyprus (seven points), Andorra (four), and Georgia (four).

A win over Cyprus on Friday would move Malta five points clear at the top, securing promotion to League B for the second time in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

The team’s morale is high following back-to-back victories over Georgia in April, results that significantly boosted Malta’s chances of topping the group.

Friday’s match also marks a special occasion as the Malta Women’s National Team returns to the National Stadium for the first time in two decades.

Coach Tesse’s squad features the return of experienced Birkirkara defender Stephania Farrugia, who has recovered from an ACL injury sustained last September.

Malta will then travel to face an improved Andorra side at the Camp de Futbol Municipal d’Encamp on Tuesday, June 3, with kick-off also set for 19:00.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Maya Cachia (Birkirkara), Patricia Ebejer (Mġarr United), Janice Xuereb (Birkirkara).

DEFENDERS
Rebecca Bajada (Mġarr United), Fiona Buttigieg (Luton Town Ladies, England), Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara), Oceane Grange (RC Roubaix Wervicq Féminin, France), Emma Lipman (Genoa, Italy), Maya Lucia (AP Orlens Gdansk, Poland), Valentina Rapa (Birkirkara), Emma Xuereb (Swieqi United), Charlene Zammit (Birkirkara).

MIDFIELDERS
Jana Barbara (VfR SW Warbeyen, Germany), Rachel Cuschieri (Genoa, Italy), Alexandra Gatt (York City Ladies, England), Ann Marie Said (Mġarr United), Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians), Gabriella Zahra (Birkirkara), Shona Zammit (Swieqi United).

FORWARDS
Haley Bugeja (Inter Women, Italy), Lexine Farrugia (Roma Women, Italy), Maria Farrugia (Sheffield United, England), Kailey Willis (Venezia FC Femminile, Italy), Leah Ayres (Hibernians), Yulya Carella (Mġarr United).