A goal just past the half hour enabled the Malta women’s national team to bounce back from Thursday’s 1-2 defeat to beat Montenegro 1-0 in another friendly match at the Centenary Stadium on Sunday. 

Coach Mark Gatt made four changes to the team as goalkeeper Patricia Ebejer replaced Janice Xuereb while Jade Flask, Dorianne Teuma and Emma Xuereb replaced Gabriella Zahra, Kailey Willis and Haley Bugeja.

Montenegro almost took the lead on the 20th through captain Sladjana Bulatovic whose first attempt was blocked by Ebejer and off the rebound, her attempt was blocked on the goal line by Stephania Farrugia.

Malta scored the all-important goal on 31 minutes when off a corner by Dorianne Theuma from the right, Jade Flask headed home past goalkeeper Krstovic. 

During the second half, the visitors tried hard to level matters but goalkeeper Patricia Ebejer came to the rescue with a string of fine saves on Nadja Stanovic, Sladjana Bulatovic and twice on Armisa Kuc.

MALTA Patricia Ebejer, Emma Lipman, Stephania Farrugia, Dorianne Theuma (Veronique Mifsud 73), Rachel Cuschieri, Maria Farrugia (Kayleigh Chetcuti 73), Shona Zammit, Jade Flask, Charlene Zammit (Gabriella Zahra 83), Emma Xuereb (Rodianne Zerafa 56) (Simone Buttigieg 83), Nicole Sciberras.

MONTENEGRO Anastasija Krstovic, Milica Radunovic, Aleksandra Popovic, Maja Saranovic, Sladjana Bulatovic, Nadja Stanovic, Jelena Karlicic, Armisa Kuc, Helena Bozic, Darija Djukic, Radosava Kocanovic (Andjela Toskovic 54).

Referee: Darryl Agius
Assistant Referees: Joanna Vassallo, Michelle Mizzi
Fourth Official: Daniel Portelli

Photos (below): Copyright domenic aquilina / Malta FA