The Malta WU19 National Team secured a dramatic point against Romania in the UEFA European Women’s U19 Championship Qualifiers, thanks to a very late goal on Friday.
Malta got off to a promising start, looking adventurous going forward, pushing in search for an opening goal. 16 minutes into the game Crista Chetcuti Ganado found some space in and around the penalty area, but her effort was blocked.
Malta continued to build pressure on the Romanian backline, and in the 26th minute, Nina-Lee Naudi did well to collect the ball in midfield, before hitting an effort that was comfortably saved by Rebeca Achitei.
In the 29th minute, Romania came forward, with the ball ending up at Tanya Maier’s feet. She tried her luck from range with a powerful effort, but it sailed over the bar.
Malta had a free-kick from long range in the 31st minute, and Amy Catania was entrusted to take it. She hit a good strike, but her attempt was saved by the Romanian goalkeeper.
Neither side could find a breakthrough in the first half, and as a result the score remained level at the break.
Romania came out on the attack in the second half, and they came close to opening the scoring in the 51st minute, when Carina Raducu got to a ball first in the penalty area, yet her effort was excellently saved by Maya Muscat.
Romania opened the scoring in the 56th minute, when Carina Raducu made a darting run down the left, and while Muscat parried her effort, the ball fell to Maria Olah, who tucked away the shot from close range.
In the 80th minute, Romania could have doubled their lead, when the ball fell to Olah again in the penalty area, but Muscat did brilliantly to tip the ball over the bar in a fantastic reaction save.
Malta came very close to levelling the scoring in the 85th minute, when from a free-kick, Catania hit a beautiful curling effort that crashed against the bar, before being cleared away by the Romanian defence.
Malta did find the equaliser in the dying stages, when a Kay Axiak corner was delivered into the penalty area, with Crista Chetcuti Ganado rising highest, heading the ball into the back of the net and get Malta on level terms.
As a result, Malta came away with a point against Romania, having produced a steady and resolute performance. Malta will be in action again on Monday 12th October, when they face Kazakhstan in the final match of Group B6 of the UEFA European Women’s U19 European Championship. The match will kick off at 12:30hrs.
Romania Rebeca Achitei, Lorena Mihailesc (Aida Bucsa, 46’), Nathalie Stoicescu, Irina Cicos, Sara Bortea, Tania Noje (Sophia Daniela Glatter, 46’), Andreea Candea (Maria Olah, 46’), Sophie Cojanu (Corina Colibaba, 63’), Tanya Maier, Anabelle Nombot (Carina Raducu, 46’), Jeacqueline Craiovan.
Malta Maya Muscat (GK), Amy Catania, Amber Galea (Krista Sacco, 80’), Madison Grace Cachia, Lisa Calleja (Gloria Cassar, 80’), Crista Chetcuti Ganado, Kay Axiak, Thais Muscat (Edeson Grixti, 80’), Nina-Lee Naudi, Alanah Ghio, Olivia Nazarko.
Referee: Melissa Burgin (ENG)