The Malta Women’s Under-17 national team registered an excellent victory in a match from the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship Round 2 League B Group B1 when they defeated Lithuania by two goals to one in a tight encounter at the Centenary Stadium on Friday.
The first minutes were balanced with Malta appearing more adventurous although windy conditions were making play rather difficult. On 14 minutes Malta had a fine opportunity when Isabelle Said’s shot hit the post with Kaminskaite beaten.
Malta took the lead after 16 minutes with a wonderful goal scored by Amy Catania whose shot from outside the box sailed into the top corner.
Amberley Borg could have made it 2-0 on 20 minutes but she shot just wide with Kaminskaite looking on. Catania had another effort from at least 30 metres which went just wide on 26 minutes.
On the half-hour mark, Malta struck again with a great individual move by Borg who managed to dribble past two defenders and slot a low shot into the net. The hosts controlled the rest of the half well and continued proving dangerous.
Lithuania reduced the deficit seven minutes into the second half when Agata-Marija Kairyte headed home after a good cross from the right. However, chances were few and far between at both ends with Malta coming close when a dangerous cross by Olivia Nazarko was just missed by Amberley Borg.
Lithuania had a good chance on 80 minutes when substitute Shantal Korol’s shot was saved for a corner by Katelyn Camilleri. A minute later a lob from outside the box by Iveta Kalvyte went just over as Lithuania pressed for an equaliser. However, Malta held firm to record an impressive win.
Malta will be in action again on Monday when they face Belarus in their second match of the group, as they look to build on this great start to their campaign.
Photo courtesy of Malta FA
MALTA Katelyn Camilleri, Amy Bello Catania, Krista Sacco (86’ Erika Cini), Martina Mendez Vasquez, Katrina Catania (63’ Gloria Cassar), Kay Axiak (63’ Martina Vassallo), Nina Lee Naudi, Alanah Ghio, Amberley Borg (86’ Pearl May Schembri), Olivia Nazarko, Isabelle Said (90+2’ Keziah Richard).
LITHUANIA Ieva Kaminskaitė, Aleksandra Samoilenko, Urte Balčiūtė (79’ Migle Silobritaite), Ausrine Jankūnaitė, Elizabeth Aleksandra Dudka (79’ Karina Zilberyte), Augustę Augėnaitė, Agata-Marija Kairytė, Adele Stalnionytė (76’ Shantale Korol), Elena Ostrauskaitė, Iveta Kalvytė, Adriana Bystronovskaja (46’ Elija Kisieliauskaite).