A goal by Roni Levi on the hour handed Israel a narrow win over Malta in the opening match from Group 4 of the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship Round 1 League B at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday.

The locals, led by coach Frank Schembri, gave a good account of themselves but created few goal scoring opportunities throughout the game.

On Saturday, Malta takes on Romania, kick-off at 16:00. Romania defeated Georgia 2-1 in another match on Wednesday.

MALTA Giulia D’Antuono, Tammy Falzon, Emma Ciantar (84′ Hannah Khatib), Kailey Willis (64′ Sarah Vella Barbieri), Maya Lucia (64′ Michaela Cachia), Martina Fenech, Alexandra Gatt, Rhea Borg, Ileana Farrugia (84′ Martina Cortis), Mariah Cardona (78′ Yulya Carella), Veronique Mifsud.

ISRAEL Yarin Tureski, Yuval Rubinstein, Hili Shalom, Noa Parnafes, Asia Dercksen (82′ Elen Topuria), Noy Bengal (46′ Roni Levi), Keren Or Edri, Shaked Horovitz (75′ Yuval Nagar), Stav Arazi (88′ Lihi Rahat), Maia Sirota, Shani Sirota.

Referee: Emanuela Rusta (ALB)