Malta fell to a 4-1 defeat against Romania in the opening game of Group B2 of the UEFA European Women’s U17 Championship Qualifiers. The away side proved too strong for the Maltese, who put their bodies on the line on a number of occasions and defended admirably.
Malta started the match with most of the possession, stringing plenty of passes together, particularly on the right wing. Despite this, they struggled to carve an opening.
Photo courtesy of Malta FA
The first real opportunity came in the sixth minute, when Romania broke free from the counter, and the ball was fed through to Boglarka Fulop, who went round goalkeeper Julia Maria Zarb and tucked it away to open the scoring.
Malta did manage to equalise a few minutes later, as Kay Axiak found space behind the Romanian defence, and after an excellent run, slotted the ball into the net to make it 1-1. However, it would only last a few seconds, as right after the restart, Romania restored their lead thanks to an own goal, after the ball unluckily ricocheted off Ilona Abela.
Romania were starting to find more space right behind the Maltese midfield, and in the 18-minute mark, they came close to doubling their lead after a shot from outside the box from Elena Corina Colibaba sailed right above the bar. The away side continued to pen Malta into their own defensive third, and were looking increasingly dangerous down the right flank.
Romania came very close to making it three in the 35-minute mark, when the ball fell to Andreea Candea in the penalty area, but she had her attempt brilliantly saved by Zarb and turned away for a corner. Despite this, they would score from the subsequent corner, when Violeta Bogos took the corner kick and it went through everyone and ended up in the net.
After the break, Romania continued to control most of the play, and in the 53rd minute, Maria Isabel Olah tried her luck from the edge of the box, yet her attempt went narrowly over the bar. The away side once again were close to extending their lead after a Romania corner led to a mix-up in the penalty area, yet after a number of blocks, Malta cleared their lines.
In the closing stages, Malta slowly grew back into the game and were starting to string together more passes, while also looking more dangerous on the counter attack. However, Romania’s threat going forward was maintained, and Lorelai Zamfir had a shot hit the post. Romania’s fourth goal would come very late in stoppage time, as Sara Bortea headed in the goal from a corner.
The match subsequently finished 4-1 to Romania. Malta’s next match will be against Ukraine on 16th November 2024 at the Centenary Stadium, with kick-off time at 11:00hrs.
Malta 12 Julia Maria Zarb (GK), 3 Lara May Azzopardi (C), 5 Krista Sacco (16 Jade Galea 77′), 6 Amy Portelli, 8 Shaiel Falzon (7 Martina Vassallo 77′), 14 Nina-Lee Naudi (13 Maia Gauci 61′), 15 Alanah Ghio, 17 Tea Kimamo (11 Olivia Mae Taylor 61′), 18 Kay Axiak, 19 Ilona Abela, 21 Alexis Mallia (20 Gloria Cassar 66′)
Romania 1 Elena Izabela Coman (GK), 3 Georgiana Nicolae (C), 5 Sara Bortea, 6 Violeta Bogos, 7 Elenia Corina Colibaba (14 Carla Ștefania Rebrișorean 46′) 8 Anastasia Lionte (4 Irina Apostol 70′), 10 Andreea Candea (17 Lorelai Zamfir 79′), 11 Maria Isabel Olah (9 Lorena Mihailesc 70′), 13 Boglarka Fulop, 15 Sophie Marie Cojanu (18 Anabele-Natsi Nombot 46′), 16 Jeaqueline Craiovan