Malta girls show character in 2-2 draw with Lithuania

The Malta women’s team showed admirable resilience as they twice came back from a goal down to draw 2-2 with Lithuania in their final match at the Aphrodite Cup on Saturday.  

Led by coach Mark Gatt, the Maltese girls stayed unbeaten in this tournament after beating hosts Cyprus 1-0 on Thursday and drawing 0-0 with Estonia in the opening match.

In Saturday’s game, Malta set the early pace but were unlucky not to take the lead when captain Dorianne Theuma’s effort came off the woodwork.

It was Lithuania who opened the scoring but Theuma equalised after the change of ends.

Lithuania, who lost their games against Estonia and Cyprus, regained the lead but Malta’s efforts produced an equaliser 17 minutes from time as Theuma’s free-kick was deflected into the net by a Lithuanian player.

Cyprus are playing Estonia in the tournament’s final match.

Malta were without Maria Farrugia for today’s match as the young forward returned to England ahead of her club commitments with Sunderland AFC Ladies.

MALTA Janice Xuereb, Nicole Sciberras, Jade Flask, Stephania Farrugia, Dorianne Theuma, Brenda Borg, Kayleigh Chetcuti, Martina Borg, Shona Zammit, Alishia Sultana, Charlene Zammit.