The Malta Women’s Under-19 National Team suffered an opening day 0-7 defeat against Israel in the UEFA Women’s U19 European Championship – Round 2 on Thursday.

Israel were the stronger of the two teams throughout the encounter, and they took the lead after just three minutes, with Goren Tamar receiving the ball in the penalty area, before stroking it into the back of the net.

Malta tried to respond, and in the fifth minute, Lara May Azzopardi found some space in midfield, before trying her luck from range, but the shot was easily saved by Lily Tzook.

Photo courtesy of Malta FA

Israel were through on goal in the 17th minute, but Amber Galea made a brilliant run back, getting a last-ditch tackle spot on to deny the visitors an attempt. Israel managed to get their second in the 22nd minute, after Adee Goulden made a darting run down the right, before hitting a strike past Muscat.

The visitors made it 3-0 in the 38th minute, when a cross was swung into the penalty area, finding Tamar free at the back post, and she headed the ball into the net. Malta pushed forward in search of a response, and after some neat build-up play, Lisa Calleja turned quickly, but her strike from range was saved by the Israeli goalkeeper.

Israel were awarded a penalty in the 42nd minute after Muscat brought one of the Israeli forwards down, and Or Divan made no mistake, slotting the ball past the Maltese goalkeeper to make it 4-0.

The visitors started the second half in the same way they finished the first, with Divan scoring after a cutback from Shaked Gargir, making it 5-0 to Israel. Israel continued to pile the pressure on the Maltese defence, yet they could not find the back of the net.

Malta came forward in the 61st minute, when Nyorah Celeste did very well to break free from the Israeli defenders, but when she tried to find Calleja with her cross, the pass was intercepted and eventually cleared away.

In the 68th minute, Celeste did well make the most of a lobbed pass, before then finding Ema Micallef, who could not hit the target with her effort.

Muscat was called into action in the 75th minute, when Goulden hit a powerful low shot, but the Maltese goalkeeper scrambled to save at the bottom corner. Israel did manage to get another goal in the 82nd minute, when Talia Darah Camin connected well with a cross to flick it into the net. Shay Elmaleh added to Israel’s lead in the 86th minute with a neat finish, making it 7-0 before the final whistle.

The Malta WU19 National Team’s next match will see them take on Bulgaria on Sunday 12th April at 14:30hrs.

Malta
1 Erika Muscat (GK), 4 Amber Galea, 5 Francesca Bartolo (C), 6 Ema Micallef, 7 Lisa Calleja (18 Shana Farrugia, 78’), 8 Caitlyn Turner, 9 Suzanne Farrugia Sacco (16 Shannen Mallia, 78’), 10 Nyorah Celeste, 11 Thais Muscat (13 Yasmine Ghenam, 46’), 17 Lara May Azzopardi, 19 Stella Francalanza (20 Jasmine Camilleri, 61’)
Coach: Melania Bajada

Israel 
1 Lily Tzook (GK), 3 Yuval Azar, 4 Shira Carmeli, 6 Or Divan (2 Talia Daraha Camin, 78’), 8 Goren Tamar, 12 Marom Abo (9 Shaked Gargir, 46’), 13 Ziv Roth Hazan (5 Talya Mor, 76’), 14 Adee Goulden (C) (10 Shay Elmaleh, 76’), 15 Yarden Mor, 16 Tamar Arkobi (19 Shahar Blaier Peled, 46’), 17 Tamar Lipsicas Geva
Coach: Silvi Jean

Referee: Jelena Kumer (CRO)