FIFA Women's World Cup: Malta held by Albania

women-malta-albania130404daThe Malta women’s national team was held in a 1-1 draw by Albania in a match from Group 1 of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Preliminary Round qualifying mini-tournament at the Centenary Stadium on Thursday.

Albania who are taking part in an international competition for the first time managed to take the lead on the 76th minute thanks to Ellvana Curo. However the Maltese reaction was immediate and Dorianne Theuma levelled matters four minutes later.

In another match, Luxembourg and Latvia shared the spoils in a goalless draw.

Photos: Copyright © domenic aquilina/MFA

ALBANIA Gjyli Pellimbesha, Denisa Proto, Cyme Lulaj, Fitore Govori, Albina Rrahmani, Dafina Memedov, Suada Jashari (81′ Nora Selmani), Aurora Serenaj, Arbnora Robeli (59′ Advije Veliu), Furtuna Velaj, Ellvana Curo.
MALTA Sharon Costantino, Gabriella Zahra, Rebecca D’Agostino, Dorianne Theuma, Ylenia Carabott, Rachel Cuschieri (91′ Natasha Pace), Nicole Buttigieg (85′ Amber Grech), Antoinette Sammut, Stefania Farrugia, Charlene Zammit, Emma Xuereb (63′ Brenda Borg).
Referee: Petra Chudá (SVK)
Assistant referees: Maria Lisická (SVK), Liliya Karimova (KAZ)
Fourth official: Yuliya Medvedeva-Keldyusheva (KAZ)

women-luxembourg-latvia130404daOn Saturday, Albania take on Latvia at 11:00 while at 13:30 Malta faces Luxembourg. The tournament comes to an end on Tuesday as Luxembourg meet Albania at 16:00 and Latvia face Malta at 18:30. All matches will be played at the Centenary Stadium.