The Malta Women’s Under-19 National Team suffered a 3-1 defeat on Friday, as the team left it too late to produce a fightback against an impressive Israel side.
Israel started on the front foot, looking to press the Maltese backline. However, despite having some attempts on goal, they could not trouble goalkeeper Erika Muscat in the opening minutes.
Israel continued to press, but Malta started to string together some more passes. In the 32nd minute, Malta thought that they had opened the scoring, when a lobbed pass from Lara May Azzopardi found Stella Francalanza, who hit a powerful volley into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Photo courtesy of Malta FA
Muscat was called into action in the 37th minute, when a powerful strike from Marom Abo from the right was excellently saved by the Maltese goalkeeper.
Israel took the lead right before half-time, as Maayan Ben Israel cut inside from the left, before hitting a curled strike past Muscat and into the net.
Israel could have doubled their advantage before the break, when the ball was cut back inside the Maltese penalty area, but a combination of blocks and a save from Muscat made sure to keep the ball out, and it was eventually cleared away.
The start to the second half was very cagey, with barely any chances being created at either side.
However, Israel doubled their lead in the 58th minute, when the ball fell to Goren Tamar inside the penalty area, who then hit a thunderous strike into the back of the net.
Israel had a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the 70th minute, when a neat passage of play resulted in Tamar having a free header in the penalty area, but her attempt went way wide of the post. Their third goal would come moments later, as Adee Goulden found space at the back post from a cross, and she thumped the ball past Muscat.
Malta looked to hold on, putting a number of bodies on the line to deny Israel any space. Talya Mor had an attempt hit the woodwork in the 78th minute, before going out.
Malta found a way through the stubborn Israel defence in the 79th minute, when a delightful pass from Azzopardi split the backline open, finding Francalanza, who tapped home the goal, reducing the deficit to two goals and instilling more urgency in the final stages.
Malta tried to get themselves back in the game, but eventually ran out of time, as Israel came away with a 3-1 win.
Malta’s next encounter will be a clash against Kazakhstan on Monday 1st December at the Centenary Stadium, with kick-off at 11:00hrs.
Israel 18 Lily Tzook (GK), 2 Yuval Azar, 3 Mia Shvill (4 Shira Carmeli, 82’), 5 Sofia Vodolazov (9 Talia Darah Camin, 82’), 7 Maayan Ben Israel, 10 Goren Tamar, 13 Ziv Roth Hazan (6 Tamar Arkobi, 82’), 14 Adee Goulden (C), 15 Yarden Mor (16 Noga Bernshtein, 66’), 17 Tamar Lipsicas Geva, 20 Marom Abo (8 Talya Mor, 66’)
Malta 1 Erika Muscat (GK), 2 Thea Ida Scicluna, 3 Emma Sophia Flannery, 4 Amber Galea, 5 Francesca Bartolo, 6 Ema Micallef (18 Shana Farrugia, 75’), 7 Lexine Farrugia (C) (20 Lisa Calleja, 46’), 13 Crista Chetcuti Ganado, 15 Suzanne Farrugia Sacco (11 Thais Muscat, 65’), 17 Lara May Azzopardi, 19 Stella Francalanza
Referee: Marina Živković (SRB)