Ukraine proved too strong for Malta, with the Ukrainians winning 10-0 in the second round of fixtures in Group B2 of the UEFA European Women’s U17 Championship Qualifiers.
The game started off with a number of challenges in midfield, with both teams matching each other.
Photo courtesy of Malta FA
However, it did not take Ukraine very long to open the scoring, as a through ball down the right led to a brilliant cross across the penalty area, finding Evelina Kuptsova, who finished from close range.
Despite the early setback, Malta started to gradually grow into the game, combining well in midfield, with only the final pass being missing.
On the 20-minute mark, Ukraine had an opportunity to double their lead after a quick counter-attack, yet goalkeeper Julia Maria Zarb stood tall and denied Viktoriia Savkina from close range.
Malta’s first big opportunity came in the 25th minute, as Tea Kimamo found plenty of space down the left wing, before crossing the ball to Kay Axiak, who was on the stretch but still forced Anna Kharchenko into a save.
Just a minute later, Ukraine went the other way with a counter-attack, yet Daria Kolodii failed to hit the target.
The Ukrainians did find their second goal in the 28th minute, when Milena Ivanchenko made a run from the right, and after dribbling past the Maltese defence, tucked it away to make it 2-0. Following that goal, Ukraine seemed to find their feet going forward, and in the space of a few minutes, Karina Lespukh struck twice to put Ukraine 4-0 up. The first came after she met a through pass that split the Maltese defence, while her second came thanks to a perfect lobbed through pass from Ivanchenko. Ukraine made it six right before half-time, as Kolodii fought off a challenge to slot away the fifth, before getting another a few minutes later.
After the break, Ukraine continued their dominance, and after a shot was parried by Zarb, the ball fell to Viktoriia Savkina, who slotted it into the net to make it seven.
Ukraine remained ruthless going forward, and Savkina and Sofiia Konovalova both scored in the 64th and 66th minutes respectively to extend Ukraine’s lead to nine. After a period were Malta remained resilient, Ukraine did eventually get their 10th goal, as Zoriana Hladun tucked it away in stoppage time.
Despite the large scoreline, Malta continued to show spirit, fighting for every ball until the last minute of the game.
Malta’s final qualifier from Group B2 will be played on Tuesday 19th November 2024, where they will face Moldova, with kick-off time at 11:00hrs.
Ukraine
1 Anna Kharchenko (GK), 2 Anastasiia Bieklina, 4 Milena Ivanchenko, 6 Anna Avramenko, 8 Mariia Osadcha, 9 Evelina Kuptsova, 10 Daria Kolodii (16 Varvara Kozliuk 56′), 15 Karina Lespukh (7 Sofiia Konovalova 56′), 17 Zoriana Hladun, 19 Viktoriia Savkina (11 Daria Aremenko 70′), 20 Veronika Derevianko (18 Valeriia Kazina 46′)
Malta
12 Julia Maria Zarb (GK) (C), 3 Lara May Azzopardi (C), 6 Amy Portelli (4 Shanneil Farrugia 46′), 13 Maia Gauci, 14 Nina-Lee Naudi (5 Krista Sacco 46′), 15 Alanah Ghio, 16 Jade Galea (2 Ylenia Debono 76′), 17 Tea Kimamo, 18 Kay Axiak (8 Shaiel Falzon 76′), 19 Ilona Abela, 21 Alexis Mallia (10 Thais Muscat 46′)