VisitMalta Women’s Trophy: Malta women defeat Moldova in opening match

Malta defeated Moldova 3-1 in the opening match from the VisitMalta Women’s Trophy at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Wednesday.

The locals took the lead on the 32nd minute thanks to a Charlene Zammit header but Moldova equalised one minute from the end of the first half courtesy of Daniela Mardari following a swift counter-attack.

Photos courtesy Domenic Aquilina/MFA SportsPlus Ltd

However Jade Flask restored the lead on the 47th, heading home from close range.

On the 68th, Moldova were awarded a penalty after Carolina Tabur was brought down inside the area but Irina Topal hit high from the penalty spot.

Five minutes later, Haley Bugeja extended the lead for Malta with a powerful shot from inside the area after a Rachel Cuschieri effort was blocked by a defender.

Seven minutes from time, Malta was unlucky not to add another when off a cross by Haley Bugeja, Brenda Borg hit the upright from close range.

Malta will play the second match on Saturday against Morocco at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, kick-off at 16:00. The third and final match between Morocco and Moldova will be played on Tuesday 22.

MALTA Maya Cachia, Ann-Marie Said, Rachel Cuschieri, Alishia Sultana (77′ Ylenia Carabott), Martina Borg (46′ Jade Flask), Maria Farrugia, Shona Zammit (46′ Brenda Borg), Charlene Zammit (46′ Dorianne Theuma), Maia Melanie Debono (67′ Jessica Lee Dimech), Nicole Sciberras (82′ Jade Schembri), Haley Bugeja.

MOLDOVA Natalia Munteanu (35′ Evghenia Dumic), Eugenius Railean, Mihaela Burdeniuc (46′ Carina Doiban), Daniela Madari, Carolina Tabur (71′ Stela-Aleina Tez), Claudia Chiper, Violeta Mitul, Alina Chirica (65′ Veronica Cojuhari), Nedejda Colesnicenco, Anastasia Sivolobova, Irina Topal.