The Malta Under-19 women’s national team will travel to Croatia on Saturday ahead of their participation in the 2019 UEFA Women’s U-19 European Championship qualifiers, between October 1 and October 7.

The Maltese girls, led by coach Frank Schembri, have been drawn in Group 1 alongside hosts Croatia, Slovakia and England. They begin their tournament commitments against England, on Monday, October 1, at the SRP Trate Nedelisce. The second match is against Slovakia on Thursday, October 4, at the Gradski Stadion NK Podravina Ludberg before wrapping up their group games against Croatia at the same venue on Sunday, October 7.

The top two sides in every group plus the two-third placed teams with the best record against the top two in their section join Spain and France in the elite round.

Seven countries will eventually qualify, joining hosts Scotland in the finals. The finals will act as UEFA’s qualifier for the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Photo: Copyright © Domenic Aquilina

MALTA U-19 WOMEN’S SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Patricia Ebejer (Mġarr United); Jodie Attard (Hibernians).

DEFENDERS
Chloe Ann Ellul, Jessica Lee Dimech, Leanne Cefai (all Hibernians); Valentina Rapa (Gozo); Cherise Zammit, Rohanne Zahra (Raiders Luxol), Nicole Zammit (Birkirkara); Nicole Sciberras (Grifone Gialloverde).

MIDFIELDERS
Celeste Grech (Swieqi United); Angelique Schembri, Maia Debono (Mġarr United); Kayleigh Chetcuti (Hibernians); Michela Bonello Ghio (Raiders); Samantha Zarb, Sarah Urpani (Birkirkara); Jana Barbara (SGS Essen).

FORWARDS
Demi Magrin (Kirkop United); Maria Farrugia (Gozo).