Women’s national team holds Albania in goalless draw

Malta earned its first point in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Group B preliminary round mini-tournament after holding hosts Albania in a goalless draw at the Elbasan Arena in Elbasan on Saturday.

Malta had its fair share of scoring opportunities through Ylenia Carabott, Charlene Zammit and Dorianne Theuma with Theuma going close to breaking the deadlock on the 59th minute with an attempt which hit the crossbar.

The team led by Mark Gatt will play its third game on Tuesday against Kosovo at the Selman Stermazi Stadium in Tirana. Kosovo lost 2-3 to Albania in the first game and 0-6 to Greece in the second.

MALTA Janice Xuereb, Charlene Zammit, Ann Marie Said, Emma Xuereb (56′ Martina Borg), Dorianne Theuma (88′ Raina Giusti), Stephania Farrugia, Kim Parnis (35′ Alishia Sultana), Jade Flask, Shona Zammit, Rachel Cuschieri, Ylenia Carabott.
ALBANIA Marigona Zani, Denisa Proto (82′ Suada Jashari), Albina Rrahmani, Arbiona Bajraktari, Geldona Morina, Furtuna Velaj (88′ Dafina Memdov), Saranda Hashani, Luci Gjini, Ezmiralda Franja (74′ Lavdie Begolli), Qendresa Krasniqi, Megi Doci.
Referee: Lorraine Clark (SCO)