Malta women fall against Türkiye for sixth Euro qualifier defeat

MALTA 0-3 TÜRKİYE
Gatt og. 8, Turkoglu 38, Altunkulak 52

MALTA: M. Cachia; A. Gatt (70 E. Xuereb), E. Lipman, T. Falzon (78 A. Catania), S. Zammit, E. Flannery (84 V. Mifsud), R. Cuschieri, B. Borg (70 N. Sciberras), J. Flask (70 N. Celeste), K. Willis, M. Farrugia.
TÜRKİYE: G. Yaman; F. Sakar (78 E. Tekmen), K. Tag, E. Karatas, I. Civelek, C. Kaya (46 H. Houssein), M. Pekel (56 M. Ozturk), E. Topcu, S. Altunklak, M. Cin (56 V. Kardesler), E. Turkoglu (46 K. Hancar).
Referee: Sabina Bolic (Croatia FA).
Yellow cards: Tag, Falzon, Zammit.

Malta wrapped up their UEFA Women’s Nations League League B campaign with another defeat as they finished bottom of the group without a single point.

The result means that Manuela Tesse’s side will return to League C for the next edition of the competition after suffering their second relegation from the second tier.

For the encounter, Tesse made several changes to the starting line-up, some of them enforced. Captain Emma Lipman returned in central defence alongside youngster Tammy Falzon, while Alexandra Gatt was deployed at full-back together with Shona Zammit, who replaced the injured Maya Lucia.

In midfield, Emma Flannery and Brenda Borg were handed starting roles alongside Rachel Cuschieri. Up front, Jade Flask replaced the injured Haley Bugeja, while Maria Farrugia and Kailey Willis retained their places in attack.

Türkiye took the lead after just seven minutes when a dangerous delivery from the flank ended with Alexandra Gatt inadvertently turning the ball into her own net following a slight deflection.

The early setback made an already difficult task even tougher for the Maltese side.

Malta attempted to respond on the 12th minute through a move involving Maria Farrugia and Emma Flannery, but the attack eventually fizzled out as they took too long to create a clear opening.

Türkiye continued to dominate proceedings, particularly down the flanks where they repeatedly found space. However, despite their superiority, their crossing game initially failed to trouble goalkeeper Maya Cachia significantly.

The visitors eventually doubled their advantage when Ece Türkoğlu finished off another dangerous move from the wing, slotting the ball into an empty net from close range.

After the break, Malta created a rare opportunity when Kailey Willis beat her marker before attempting a long-range effort which sailed over the crossbar.

Türkiye, however, added a third goal through Selen Altunkulak, who beat Cachia from close range after yet another cross from the flanks – an area that proved to be Malta’s Achilles heel throughout the match.

With 20 minutes remaining, Tesse handed a senior debut to Hibernians Under-21 captain Nyorah Celeste.

Shortly afterwards, Amy Catania was also introduced for her first appearance with the senior national team. The Hibernians youngster is regarded as one of the brightest emerging talents in the local game and has already attracted attention abroad, having spent time on trial with Italian giants Inter.

Other Group B2 results: Northern Ireland 1-2 Switzerland.