Women’s national team off to Cyprus to take part in Aphrodite Cup

The Malta national team is heading to Cyprus to participate in the 2019 Aphrodite Cup.

Led by Mark Gatt, the Maltese side will have several international appointments that will serve as a preparation ahead of their 2021 UEFA Women’s Euro qualifiers.

In Cyprus, Malta faces Estonia on Wednesday, Cyprus on Thursday and Lithuania on Saturday

There are three foreign-based players in Mark Gatt’s selection, namely Nicole Sciberras, of Grifone Gialloverde, Fortitudo Mozzecane’s Martina Borg and Maria Farrugia, who is turning out for Sunderland AFC Ladies’ team in England. 

Experienced midfielder Rachel Cuschieri, who is on the books of Dutch side PSV Vrouwen, is sidelined with injury. 

The Malta women’s team have been drawn against Italy, Denmark, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Israel and Georgia in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 qualifiers.

After their participation in the Aphrodite Cup, Gatt’s side will be playing two friendly matches against Romania in April, and one against English side Bolton Wanderers in May. In August, Malta kick off their UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 Group B campaign with an away match against Denmark followed by another trip to Bosnia four days later.

The players selected by Gatt for this Cyprus expedition are:

Goalkeepers Janice Xuereb (Birkirkara), Rachelle Lynn Borg (Mgarr United).

Defenders Stephania Farrugia, Rebecca Bajada, Alishia Sultana (Birkirkara); Jade Flask, Charlene Zammit (Hibernians); Nicole Sciberras (Grifone Gialloverde).

Midfielders Simone Buttigieg, Yolande Attard (Swieqi United); Dorianne Theuma, Shona Zammit, Kayleigh Chetcuti (Hibernians); Claudette Xuereb, Brenda Borg, Amber Grech (Mgarr United); Maria Farrugia (Sunderland).

Forwards Ylenia Carabott (Birkirkara), Martina Borg (Fortitudo Mozzecane), Roxanne Micallef (Mgarr United).