Gatt upbeat ahead of EURO qualifier against Georgia

The Malta women’s national team resume their UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 Group B qualifiers tomorrow (Thursday) when they host Georgia at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off: 18.30). Led by coach Mark Gatt, the Maltese girls will be aiming for a positive result to maintain their progress and further enhance the enthusiasm surrounding the team. Malta gave a good account of themselves in their recent outings, collecting their first point in this group following a 1-1 draw against 66th-ranked Israel. Moreover, Gatt’s team also left a good impression in the January friendlies against 19th-ranked Switzerland (2-2) and a much-improved Turkey (1-2). Gatt will be hoping that his team can reproduce those performances in their qualifier against Georgia. “The Switzerland and Turkey games were very important tests for us,” Gatt told www.mfa.com.mt. “Georgia will provide a different challenge compared to the likes of Italy and Denmark. This is a game where we can aspire to be more proactive with the ball but at the same time, we need to be careful. “This is also a match where we believe we can gain something.” Gatt stressed that the strength of the Maltese squad owes to the mix between youth and experience. “We are currently in the process of introducing youth players in our side along with the experienced ones who are helping them a lot,” Gatt explained. “Moreover, we can also rely on players who are based abroad and games like these can only help the group to become stronger.” Georgia are still without a point in these qualifiers after losing their opening five games in this group. Bosnia, for their part, opened their campaign with two straight wins over Georgia (7-1) and Malta (2-0) and also defeated Israel 3-1 in their last group outing in November. They have suffered identical 2-0 defeats to Denmark and Italy. HOME SUPPORTThe women’s game in Malta continues to grow through the encouraging results being obtained by the national team on the international stage. Gatt hopes that the recent positive results entice more fans to support the team against Georgia and the Bosnia-Herzegovina game, on Tuesday, March 10 at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off: 18.30). “I would have liked to see more support from the Maltese public in the recent friendlies," the Malta coach said. “Our national teams’ games are a spectacle for local sports as they are ambassadors of our nation. We have opted to schedule these qualifiers in the evening to make it easier for the fans to attend. Their support means a lot to us.” MALTA WOMEN'S SQUAD GoalkeepersJanice Xuereb (Birkirkara); Jodie Attard (Raiders Għargħur); Patricia Ebejer (Mġarr United). DefendersStephania Farrugia, Ann-Marie Said, Alishia Sultana (all Birkirkara); Emma Lipman (Florentia San Gimignano, Italy); Charlene Zammit (Swieqi United). MidfieldersGabriella Zahra, Veronique Mifsud (both Birkirkara); Rachel Cuschieri (PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands); Jade Flask, Dorianne Theuma, Emma Xuereb (all Swieqi United); Roxanne Micallef, Claudette Xuereb (both Mġarr United). ForwardsBrenda Borg (Mġarr United); Maria Farrugia (Sunderland AFC Ladies, England); Haley Bugeja (Mġarr United); Martina Borg (Sassari Torres, Italy).