Malta fell to a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Lithuania in the UEFA European WU17 Championship Qualifiers on Monday, despite producing a combative display throughout the 90 minutes.

Lithuania took the lead after just three minutes, as Justina Blazevicute capitalised on some miscommunication at the heart of the Maltese defence, slotting the ball past Katelyn Camilleri.

The goal seemed to set the tone of play for the rest of the half, with both sides having a number of opportunities.

Photo courtesy of Malta FA

Paulina Mockute came close to doubling the visitors’ lead, after having a header smash against the crossbar. At the other end, Malta seemed to grow in confidence as the half wore on, delivering a number of dangerous crosses in the penalty area.

Malta continued to look threatening on the attack, and in the 27th minute, the ball fell to Amy Bello Catania, and she tried her luck from range, but her shot was calmly saved by Ieva Kaminskaite.

The home side had a good opportunity to equalise in the 39th minute, after Kay Axiak and Nina-Lee Naudi linked up well on the edge of the penalty area, before the later freed herself from her markers, but her shot was tame and did not trouble the goalkeeper.

On the stroke of half-time, Catania came very close to equalising, as a corner from Naudi found the Maltese defender, whose header left Kaminskaite scrambling, but she just about kept the attempt out.

In the second half, Lithuania came out of the blocks strong, and they doubled their lead in the 60th minute, after Blazevicute was fed a through pass, and when faced with the goalkeeper, slotted the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

Despite the setback, Malta continued to challenge and look for a way back in the game. In the 65th minute, Malta were awarded a free-kick from long range, and Catania hit a beautiful strike that sailed just over the bar.

In the 69th minute, Lithuania came close to extending their lead, after Blazevicute was once again given a through pass, yet her attempt was smartly saved by Camilleri, and the subsequent rebound was then cleared off the line by Catania.

Blazevicute did manage to get her hat-trick in the 76th minute, running through on goal, before finding the back of the net to make it 3-0.

Malta continued to fight till the very end, and they got their reward in the 84th minute, after a strike was saved by Kaminskaite, but only parried into the path of Amberley Borg, who was on hand to tuck away the rebound.

The home side looked for another goal, but ultimately could not find the net again, and the match finished 1-3 to Lithuania.

Malta’s next outing in the UEFA European WU17 Championship Qualifiers will be on Sunday 9th November at 12:00hrs, when they take on Sweden at the Centenary Stadium.

Malta
12 Katelyn Camilleri (GK), 2 Amy Bello Catania, 5 Krista Sacco (13 Jade Micallef Cassar, 73’), 6 Amy Portelli, 8 Martina Vassallo (7 Erika Cini, 73’), 10 Kay Axiak (19 Amberley Borg, 60’), 14 Nina-Lee Naudi (C), 15 Alanah Ghio, 16 Sara Anneloes Shaladi, 21 Ana Mercieca (18 Pearl May Schembri, 60’), 22 Isabelle Said
Coach: Clint Tabone

Lithuania
12 Ieva Kaminskaite (GK) (C), 3 Aleksandra Samoilenko, 4 Ugne Gruodyte, 5 Ausrine Jankunaite, 7 Elizabeth Aleksandra Dudka (10 Agata-Marija Kairyte, 46’), 8 Auguste Augenaite, 9 Paulina Mockute (13 Shantale Korol, 63’), 15 Justina Blazevicute (11 Adele Stalnionyte, 79’), 20 Iveta Kalvyte, 23 Adriana Bystronovskaja (19 Gryte Vaisbrode, 46’)
Coach: Vadim Carabetchi

Referee: Duygu Hatice Aydin (TUR)