Malta secured their first win of the UEFA WU15 Development Tournament after beating Northern Ireland 2-1 on Thursday, coming from behind in sensational fashion.
The match was off to a quick start in the blistering wind, with both sides flying into challenges in the opening few minutes. It did not take Northern Ireland long to find an opener, as just four minutes into the encounter, Aoife Conlon made a strong run from the right, before finishing into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Photo courtesy of Malta FA
Malta tired to respond however, and immediately after the restart they had an opportunity to equalise, as Ella Muscat ran through on goal from the left, but her shot was calmly saved by goalkeeper Grace Greenhill.
In the 15th minute, Malta had a big opportunity to equalise, as Katrina Catania made a darting run down the right, before squaring it to Jodie Lewis, yet her attempt was excellently saved.
Northern Ireland came close to doubling their advantage in the 18th minute, after a corner was swung into the penalty area, and after the initial contact was made by the Northern Ireland forwards, the ball fell to Conlon, who tried to guide the ball towards the goal, but her shot hit the woodwork and went out.
Malta pushed in search of an equaliser, but found it difficult to break down the Northern Ireland defence in the remaining minutes of the first-half, and the two teams went into the break with the score 1-0.
At the start of the second-half, Malta made a sharp start, and came very close to equalising, after substitute Katrine Jorgensen swung a great cross, finding Catania, yet her header struck the crossbar.
Malta eventually got their equaliser in the 61st minute, as Catania made a blistering run down the left, and after her initial shot was saved by Greenhill, she then squared it to Chanice Refalo, who slotted the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Malta quickly turned it around in the 66th minute, as Katrine Jorgensen broke free in the middle of the pitch, and after striding forward, she hit a powerful strike that sailed past the goalkeeper and into the net, giving the home side the lead.
Francesca Spiteri Busuttil was proving to be a threat down the left flank, and in the 90th minute she made a run towards goal, yet her effort was palmed away for a corner.
Malta saw out the victory, securing their first win of the UEFA WU15 Development Tournament thanks to an excellent second-half display.
Malta’s final match of the tournament will be on Sunday 21st September 2025 at 13:30hrs at the Centenary Stadium, where they will be taking on Romania.
Malta
12 Mariah Chirchop (GK), 2 Cassidy Massa (21 Elisa Polidano, 74’), 13 Ella Muscat (17 Amy Muscat, 46’), 19 Chanice Refalo (4 Amie Martha Portelli, 74’), 5 Ana Vassallo (15 Mikaela Vella Aquilina, 74’), 6 Rihanna Fava Borg, 7 Martina Mendez Vasquez (C), 8 Elanya Mallia, 14 Jodie Lewis (9 Katrine Jorgensen, 46’), 10 Katrina Catania (20 Francesca Spiteri Busuttil, 67’), 18 Kylie Pullicino (11 Keziah Richard, 46’)
Coach: Clint Tabone
Northern Ireland
12 Grace Greenhill (GK), 18 Molly Gray (2 Katie Mckenna, 76’), 4 Eva Dunlop (3 Gracie Livingston, 29’), 5 Darcy Grayson, 7 Sophia Gill, 13 Lauren Kirkpatrick (14 Connie Harper, 46’), 15 Cara Mcveigh (17 Lara Longridge, 46’), 8 Zion Donnan (C) (16 Leah Hepburn, 46’), 20 Aoife Conlon (19 Emilie Sylvester, 76’), 6 Anna Dunlop (9 Ella Kitson, 37’), 10 Lydia Devlin (11 Sophie Nelson, 60’)
Coach: Stephen Graham