Women’s national team suffers a second defeat to Romania

Romania defeated Malta 5-0 in the second of two women’s international friendly matches at the FRF Football Centre in Bucharest on Sunday.

Romania, ranked 41st in the FIFA Rankings, saw more of the ball throughout the game, making the most of their chances to secure a second straight win after Thursday’s 2-0 win. These two friendlies were part of a training camp for the Malta women’s squad, led by coach Mark Gatt, in preparation for the 2021 UEFA Women’s Euro qualifiers.

Gatt made changes from Thursday’s match with goalkeeper Rachel Borg in goal, Jasmine Vella Turner and Rebecca Bajada given the nod to start at the back while Simone Buttigieg formed part of the offensive trio alongside Alishia Sultana and Ylenia Carabott. 

Romania controlled proceedings in the early stages, taking the lead on the 18th minute when Stephania Farrugia tripped Stefania Meluta inside the box. Stefania Vatafu converted from the penalty spot to open the scoring.

The Romanian girls kept pressing forward. After having a goal disallowed, they managed to double their lead when Andrea Voicu found Dusa inside the box and the latter scored from point-blank range.

The hosts increased their advantage when Florentina Olar darted into the box before driving the ball past Rachel Borg as Romania ended the first half 3-0 up.

Romania stayed on top in the second half. They made their pressure count in the 51st minute when Dusa capitalised on a well-engineered move to make it 4-0. 

Romania got their fifth late on when Vatafu drilled a curling effort from outside the box.

MALTA R. Borg, J. Vella Turner (89 M. Borg), S. Farrugia, J. Flask, R. Bajada, N. Sciberras (77 V. Mifsud), S. Zammit, D. Theuma, A. Sultana, S. Buttigieg (46 B. Borg), Y. Carabott (46 H. Bugeja).

ROMANIA A. Paraluta, M. Ciolacu (62 B. Sandu), T. Meluta, M. Ficzay, O. Oprea, I. Bortan (84 A. Vladulescu), S. Vatafu, A. Voicu (84 M. Marinescu), A. Herczeg (74 B. Tarasila), C. Dusa, F. Olar.