The Malta Women’s Under-19 National Team were unlucky to draw 1-1 against Lebanon in the second of two international friendly matches on Friday afternoon, having had the majority of the chances.
Malta started strong, controlling the play in midfield, while looking particularly dangerous in their attacking play. In the opening 10 minutes, they had two big opportunities to go in front, the first with Emma Flannery finding Nyorah Celeste, whose shot went well wide, while the other was a lobbed attempt from Lexine Farrugia which was excellently saved by Marcelle Skaiki.
Malta opened the scoring in the 12th minute, after a well-worked free-kick found Nyorah Celeste, who made a brilliant run before tucking the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
However, Malta’s lead would last just 10 minutes, as Lebanon got a favourable break in play, with the ball falling to Maryam Lazkani, who scored to equalise.
Despite the equaliser, Malta remained confident in their play, and in the 35th minute, Farrugia turned quickly, before hitting a shot that was well saved by the Lebanon goalkeeper.
Malta had a golden opportunity to go in front right before the break, as Suzanne Farrugia Stafrace curled a cross into the penalty area, yet Crista Chetcuti Ganado did not make a clean contact with the ball, and the attempt was easily saved.
The two sides could not be separated at the break, and the score remained level after the opening 45 minutes.
Malta looked bright in the opening stages of the second half, and were having the upper hand in possession. In the 60th minute, Chetcuti Ganado beat her markers in midfield, before skipping away from the Lebanese defenders, yet her shot went narrowly wide.
The home side remained the more threatening of the two sides. In the 68th minute, Farrugia delivered an excellent through pass towards Celeste, yet she could not beat Skaiki who stood firm and made the save.
Malta had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 84th minute, after Farrugia made a brilliant run down the right wing, before cutting it back to Flannery, yet her left-footed strike went just marginally wide of the goal. This was quickly followed by another chance, as Chetcuti Ganado whipped a beautiful cross towards Alys Wilson, yet her effort went way over the bar.
Despite their best efforts to get a winner, Malta could not get the all-important third goal, and the match finished level.
Malta
1 Maya Muscat (GK), 5 Francesca Bartolo, 4 Amber Galea, 3 Lara May Azzopardi, 11 Rowen Crawshaw, 6 Emma Flannery, 14 Caitlyn Turner, 22 Suzanne Farrugia Sacco (2 Alys Wilson, 80’), 10 Nyorah Celeste, 20 Crista Chetcuti Ganado, 7 Lexine Farrugia (C)
Coach: David Attard
Lebanon
22 Marcelle Skaiki (GK), 4 Haya Najjad, 2 Ayana Rezkallah, 14 Lynn Moutran, 11 Sara Fakih, 10 Cecile Iskandar (C), 18 Paula Karam (7 Sherine Hasno, 46’), 8 Gianna Franjieh, 19 Luna Khazem (20 Sarah Issa, 68’), 9 Maryam Lazkani (17 Caren Serhal, 89’), 12 Gabriella Danielle (6 Celine Bittar, 46’)
Coach: Francois Dahdah
Referee: Paula Buttigieg