Winning start for new women’s national team coach as Malta defeats Azerbaijan

New women’s national team coach Mark Gatt had a perfect debut at the helm of the women’s national team as Malta defeated Azerbaijan 2-1 in the first match from Group B of the Aphrodite Cup at the Yeroskipou Municipal Stadium on Thursday.

Malta took the lead thanks to captain Dorianne Theuma after just five minutes and Ylenia Carabott doubled the score on the 36th. Azerbaijan pulled one back on the 70th thanks to a penalty by Zhala Mamsimova.

The next game will be against hosts Cyprus on Friday at the Peyia Municipal Stadium. In another match on Thursday, Cyprus defeated Bahrain 1-0.

Meanwhile in Group A, Greece defeated Lebanon 14-0 while Latvia beat the United Arab Emirates 2-0.

MALTA Janice Xuereb, Gabriella Zahra, Yasmeen Vella (84′ Rosalie Cauchi), Stephania Farrugia, Dorianne Theuma, Ylenia Carabott (46′ Kelly Agius Pace) (85′ Martina Borg), Rachel Cuschieri, Shona Zammit (46′ Mandy Debono), Jade Flask, Charlene Zammit, Brenda Borg (46′ Emma Xuereb).