Nicole Sciberras, Shona Zammit back in Malta squad ahead of clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina

The Malta women’s national team made history on Thursday by winning its first top-level qualifier after beating Georgia 2-1 in their sixth outing of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 qualifying campaign.

Led by coach Mark Gatt, the Maltese girls produced a vibrant performance at the Centenary Stadium as Rachel Cuschieri and Haley Bugeja scored in each half to secure Malta’s their third win in as many games against Georgia. Malta have moved up to fourth in the six-team Group B with four points, three ahead of Israel, who have a game in hand, with Georgia occupying bottom spot with no points.

Malta returns to action on Tuesday with another Group B qualifier against 61st-ranked Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off: 18.30). Bosnia have 12 points from six matches.

Meanwhile, Gatt will be able to rely on Italian-based duo Nicole Sciberras and Shona Zammit for Tuesday’s home qualifier against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Sciberras, who plays for the youth team of Juventus, and Zammit, who turns out for Pink Bari, were unavailable for Thursday’s game. They will replace Mġarr United players Patricia Ebejer and Roxanne Micallef.

MALTA SQUAD FOR BOSNIA MATCH

GOALKEEPERS
Janice Xuereb (Birkirkara); Jodie Attard (Raiders Għargħur).

DEFENDERS
Stephania Farrugia, Ann-Marie Said, Alishia Sultana (all Birkirkara); Emma Lipman (Florentia San Gimignano – Italy); Charlene Zammit (Swieqi United); Nicole Sciberras (Juventus – Italy)

MIDFIELDERS
Gabriella Zahra, Veronique Mifsud (both Birkirkara); Rachel Cuschieri (PSV Vrouwen – Netherlands); Jade Flask, Dorianne Theuma, Emma Xuereb (all Swieqi United); Claudette Xuereb (Mġarr United); Shona Zammit (Pink Bari – Italy).

FORWARDS
Brenda Borg (Mġarr United); Maria Farrugia (Sunderland AFC Ladies – England); Haley Bugeja (Mġarr United); Martina Borg (Sassari Torres – Italy).