Narrow defeat for women’s Under-17 side to Italy in Slovenia

The Malta Women’s Under-17 side lost 1-2 to Italy in a match from Group 11 of the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship at the NNC Brdo in Kranj, Slovenia on Monday.

Celeste Grech put Malta ahead on the 22nd minute but Italy turned the score in their favour with goals by Serena Landa on the 32nd and the 39th.

On Thursday, Malta faces Finland who earned a point in a goalless draw with Slovenia in another match on Monday.

ITALY Irene Piazzi, Paola Boglioni, Chiara Pucci, Benedetta De Biase, Martina Tomaselli, Marta Morreale (51′ Melissa Bellucci), Maria Grazia Ladu (41′ Caterina Fracaros), Chiara Ripamonti, Asia Bragonzi, Francesca Quazzico, Serena Landa (79′ Teresa Fracas).

MALTA Sarah Zarb (57′ Lauren Sciberras), Chloe Ann Ellul, Valentina Rapa, Nicole Sciberras, Celeste Grech, Maia Melaine Debono, Maria Farrugia, Amy Busuttil, Samantha Zarb (68′ Angelique Schembri), Jessica Lee Dimech, Demi Magrin.

Referee: Meitar Shemesh (ISR)