Malta women’s coach Tesse tells players to stay compact as team seek first points against Northern Ireland

The first clash takes place on Tuesday night at Mourneview Park (kick-off: 8pm), with the return fixture scheduled for Saturday in Malta. These matches could prove pivotal in determining Malta’s future in League B of the European qualifying campaign.

Under the Nations League-style format, the bottom-placed team in League B is automatically relegated to League C. Finishing third does not guarantee safety either, as the two worst third-placed teams will also drop down – despite still having a pathway to the World Cup play-offs.

Malta began their campaign with back-to-back defeats against Türkiye and Switzerland, leaving them bottom of the group with a goal difference of -6. Northern Ireland sit just above them with -3, making this double-header even more crucial.

Tesse stressed the importance of balance in approach.

“We need to follow our game plan. We must be offensive because we need goals, but at the same time we have to remain compact. That’s the keyword for these two matches,” she told Times of Malta.

The Italian coach admitted she was disappointed with Malta’s defensive approach in the opening defeat to Türkiye, particularly the nature of the goals conceded. Those concerns persisted against Switzerland, despite the higher calibre of opposition.

Now, she is demanding greater discipline and concentration. “First of all, we need to be defensively solid. The goals we conceded were avoidable. We have to stay focused, compact, and concentrated throughout.”

Malta’s task has been made harder by the absence of key players.

Experienced defender Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara) is sidelined with a long-term knee injury, while Swieqi United’s Sara Saliba – the leading Maltese scorer in the women’s league – is also unavailable.

These two players have been replaced by Mġarr United duo Maia Debono and Veronique Mifsud, winners of the Maltese league this season.

Malta and Northern Ireland met in the 2024 League B campaign, where Malta earned a 0-0 draw in Belfast before suffering a 2-0 defeat at home.

Northern Ireland will enter the double-header under new management, with Michael McArdle set to take charge of his first match today.

Northern Ireland currently sit third in the group after defeats to Switzerland and Türkiye and will be looking to respond with improved performances.

McArdle, who previously served as the Scottish FA’s Head of Elite Women’s Football and had a spell as Scotland interim head coach, has replaced interim manager Kris Lindsay.

He stated that “history and ambition” attracted him to the role and emphasised his aim to build a disciplined team that is brave in possession and relentless out of possession, while continuing to develop the emerging talent coming through the national team setup.

McArdle has chosen a 23-player panel for the Malta double-header. His squad shows just two changes from interim boss Lindsay’s squad that launched this qualifying campaign.

Hearts Women midfielder Joely Andrews is back in the Northern Ireland squad after missing last month’s World Cup qualifiers through injury. Andrews, who has 33 senior caps, last played for her country in the two UEFA Women’s Nations League play-off games against Iceland back in October.

There’s also one new face in the squad in Linfield Women striker Cora Chambers, who previously played for Northern Ireland at U-19 level as well as for the U-16 development side. The 22-year-old attacker joined the Blues from Sion Swifts Ladies in February 2024 and was second top scorer in the country last season with 20 goals. 

In total she has scored 39 goals in 47 appearances for Linfield.

Other notable names in the squad are Jackie Burns – team-mate of Maria Farrugia at Bristol City Women, Abbie Smith of Manchester City and Laura Rafferty of Rangers.

Tesse expects a familiar tactical approach from the hosts.

“National teams usually stick to their structure. They’ve introduced some young players, but I don’t expect major changes. Still, we have to be ready for anything,” Tesse concluded.