Malta suffered a second defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in five days as the hosts came back from a goal down to win 2-1 in a match from Group B3 of the Women’s European Qualifiers at the FF BH Football Training Centre in Zenica on Tuesday.

Bosnia and Herzegovina therefore collected another three points to move second in the group, leaving Malta at the bottom of the table with one point, three behind Northern Ireland. At this point, Malta is on the verge of relegation to League C as even a win over Northern Ireland could not be enough in case the Irish collect at least a point from the remaining three matches.

Photo courtesy of Malta FA

Manuela Tesse opted to name Alishia Sultana in the starting line-up in an otherwise unchanged formation from the team which lost narrowly to Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Centenary Stadium on Friday.

Malta showed remarkable improvement, having a perfect start taking the lead on the 10th minute as Maria Farrugia slotted the ball past goalkeeper Almina Hodžić following an assist by Brenda Borg from the right.

A few minutes later, Malta went close with a cross from the right by Rachel Cuschieri which hit the crossbar. A Rachel Cuschieri freekick was blocked by Hodzic with Haley Bugeja hitting wide off the rebound.

In added time, Minela Gačanica was floored inside the area by Ann-Marie Said but Milena Nikolić hit high from the penalty spot.

Bosnia and Herzegovina finally levelled matters on the 64th minute when off a cross from the left, Milena Nikolić headed the ball home past goalkeeper Patricia Ebejer.

The game seemed heading for a draw but four minutes in added time, Bosnia and Herzegovina notched the winner when off a cross by Andrea Čule from the left, Milena Nikolić controlled the ball before slotting past Ebejer.

BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA Almina Hodžić, Gloria Slišković, Marija Milinković, Melisa Hasanbegović, Milena Nikolić, Emina Ekić (89′ Alma Krajnić), Selma Kapetanovic (79′ Andrea Čule), Minela Gačanica (72′ Sofija Krajšumović), Amela Kršo, Dajana Spasojevic (79′ Elma Husić), Aida Hadžić (46′ Ena Šabanagić).

MALTA Patricia Ebejer, Ann-Marie Said, Emma Lipman, Stephania Farrugia, Rachel Cuschieri, Alishia Sultana (74′ Nicole Sciberras), Maria Farrugia, Shona Zammit, Charlene Zammit, Brenda Borg (86′ Maya Lucia), Haley Bugeja (74′ Kailey Willis).

Referee: Sofik Torosyan ARM
Assistant referees: Liana Grigoryan ARM, Kristine Grigoryan ARM
Fourth official: Zaven Hovhannisyan ARM