Malta secured an impressive and dramatic 3-2 win over a strong Croatia side at the Centenary Stadium on Friday evening, coming from behind to emerge victorious thanks to two late goals.
This was the first of two friendly matches against Croatia in four days. Matches which will serve as preparation for the UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers where Malta will be facing Northern Ireland, Switzerland and Turkiye in League B2.
Photo courtesy of Malta FA
Malta made a very bright start to the match, looking to impose themselves against a strong Croatian team.
The home side took the lead in the 15th minute, after Maria Farrugia made a darting run down the right wing, before finding Rachel Cuschieri, who made no mistake in the six-yard area, firing it into the back of the net.
Croatia looked to respond, pushing Malta back, but the home side’s defence stood strong, reducing their opponents to crosses from deep.
Malta remained resilient, and they saw out the half a goal in front.
Croatia came out for the second half looking strong, and they turned the game on its head in the space of a few minutes. In the 50th minute, Karla Kurkutović connected with a shot that went over goalkeeper Giulia D’Antuono, equalising for Croatia. This was quickly followed by another goal only seconds later, as Ivana Rudelić hit a shot right in the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area, making it 2-1 to the visitors.
Malta looked to issue a response, pressing Croatia and pushing them back to their defensive third. In the 60th minute, Farrugia intercepted the ball on the edge of the penalty area, before finding Shona Zammit, yet her effort went wide of the post.
The home side pushed forward in search of a way back into the game, and they eventually got their equaliser in the 82nd minute, as Leah Ayres made a bursting run down the left, before finding Sara Saliba, who turned excellently, then slotting the ball into the net.
The game was flipped on its head yet again, as Malta went in front again in the 84th minute. This time, Farrugia controlled the ball in the penalty area, before firing a shot that smacked the crossbar and went over the line, making it 3-2 to the home side.
Malta saw out the final few minutes, ensuring they held out for the win, and they did just that, defending admirably to maintain their lead.
The two sides will face off in another international friendly match on Monday 1st December, kicking off at 17:00hrs.
Malta
1 Giulia D’Antuono (GK), 4 Emma Lipman (C), 5 Stephania Farrugia, 8 Rachel Cuschieri, 9 Kailey Willis (7 Sara Saliba, 62’), 10 Maria Farrugia, 13 Maya Lucia (2 Alexandra Marcella Gatt, 46’), 14 Shona Zammit, 18 Yulya Carella (11 Leah Ayres, 79’), 20 Nicole Sciberras, 22 Rebecca Bajada
Coach: Manuela Tesse
Croatia
1 Doris Bačić (GK) (C), 2 Lucia Orkić (14 Antonia Dulčić, 90’), 3 Ana Jelenčić, 4 Lucija Vunić (11 Ivana Slipčević, 90’), 6 Tea Vračević, 8 Maja Joščak, 9 Ivana Rudelić (18 Ella Luština, 90+5’), 13 Helena Spajić, 19 Janja Čanjevac, 20 Karla Kurkutović (10 Izabela Lojna, 65’), 21 Barbara Živković (7 Petra Mikulica, 65’)
Coach: Nenad Gračan
Referee: Emanuela Rusta (ALB)
