The Malta women’s national team lost 0-2 to Belarus on Saturday in the first of two friendly matches at the Centenary Stadium.

A match which forms part of the team’s preparation ahead of next year’s League B commitments in the World Cup qualifiers which will be played between February and June.

The locals were a better side during the first half but Belarus managed to take the lead early in the second half and from then onwards, they prevailed, adding another in stoppage time.

This game also marked the final appearance of Gabriella Zahra, who earned her 61st cap for Malta.

Following a goalless first half, the visitors managed to take the lead on 54 minutes courtesy of Anastasiya Shlapakova and five minutes in added time, Nastassia Shluppo converted a penalty after Stephania Farrugia was adjudged to have fouled Kavaliova.

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday.

MALTA Giulia D’Antuono; Oceane Grange, Emma Lipman, Stephania Farrugia, Rachel Cuschieri, Kailey Willis (89 Leah Ayres), Maria Farrugia, Maya Lucia (58 Emma Xuereb), Shona Zammit (84 Yulya Carella), Nicole Sciberras (84 Gabriella Zahra), Haley Bugeja.

BELARUS Maryia Svidunovich; Anastasiya Linnik, Anastasiya Shlapakova (81 Nastassia Shluppo), Hanna Siniauskaya (66 Viktoryia Valiuk), Zaryna Kapustsina, Hanna Kaziupa, Anastasiya Maher (90 Darya Harshkova), Yuliya Sliasarchyk, Karina Alhovik (66 Anastasiya Kavaliova), Melana Surautsava (81 Alina Charlionak), Aryna Sitnikava.

Referee: Sara Telek (AUS)