Malta ended their UEFA WU15 Development Tournament adventure with an excellent win over Romania on Sunday, making it two wins from three games over the week.
Malta were looking for a positive result after their magnificent win against Northern Ireland and their unlucky penalty loss against Lithuania.
Malta started brightly with Katrina Catania proving effective on the left as Romania were more cautious. And on 12 minutes the locals were rewarded for their industry with forward Keziah Richard smashing a superb effort past a hapless Nicoara Ioana much to the delight of the vociferous home support.
Malta continued dictating play and had another good chance on 13 minutes when Chanice Refalo entered the box but her effort was easily saved by Nicoara. Another huge chance came Malta’s way on 25 minutes when Refalo bamboozled the Romanian defence but somehow, could not get her effort past Nicoara.
The Maltese girls continued pushing forward and were rewarded on 44 minutes with their second goal. Mikaela Vella Aquilina struck with a superb effort that could not be kept out by Nicoara.
Romania started the second half on a slightly brighter note and had their first real chance of the match on 48 minutes when Madalina Munteanu shot from outside the box with the ball ending just wide.
Romania reduced the deficit on 65 minutes when Johanna Zvenyak pounced on a loose ball in the box to give the Romanians some hope. Malta had another fine chance on 75 minutes when goalscorer Richard entered the box but her shot was saved by Nicoara.
Malta held on after some few tense moments to record a second consecutive victory, ending the tournament on a fine note.
Malta
Mariah Chircop, Martina Mendez Vasquez, Rihana Fava Borg, Elisa Polidano (Cassidy Massa 90’), Amie Martha Portelli, Keziah Richard (Jodie Lewis 90+2’), Elanya Mallia, Katrina Catania (Ella Muscat 62’), Amy Muscat (Francesca Spiteri Busuttil 62’), Chanice Refalo (Kylie Pullicino 62’), Mikaela Vella Aquilina
Romania
Nicoara Ioana, Mauna Miarina (Cristiana Carciunas 37’), Briciu Sofia, Mihart Oana (Velicu Anna 67’), Baidoc Stefania, Palco Riana, Pap Ieney Ingrid, Daria Moldovan, Munteanu Madalina, Tanase Georgiana (Zvenyak Johanna 64’), Ines Briciu
Referee: Francesco Squillari