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Georgia win a boost for women’s football in Malta – Gatt

Published: 06-03-2020 15:30
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The Malta women’s national team made history on Thursday by winning its first top-level qualifier after beating Georgia 2-1 in their sixth outing of the UEFA Women's EURO 2021 qualifying campaign. Led by coach Mark Gatt, the Maltese girls produced a vibrant performance at the Centenary Stadium as Rachel Cuschieri and Haley Bugeja scored in each half to secure Malta’s their third win in as many games against Georgia. Malta have moved up to fourth in the six-team Group B with four points, three ahead of Israel, who have a game in hand, with Georgia occupying bottom spot with no points. Gatt paid tribute to his players and technical staff, saying their efforts and enthusiasm are reaping the desired rewards. “The players were very eager to play this game and their enthusiasm was reflected on the field of play as they put on a commanding display,” Gatt told www.mfa.com.mt. “Prior to this qualifying campaign, we were aware of the difficulties posed by our opponents in this group but I always believed that we would grow gradually and peak at the right time. “This approach has helped the team to adapt quickly to these challenges with the players gaining confidence to reproduce what we have been working on in training.” Malta returns to action on Tuesday with another Group B qualifier against 61st-ranked Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off: 18.30). Bosnia have 12 points from six matches. In dedicating Thursday’s landmark win to the national team’s technical staff and all those involved in the women’s football at club level, Gatt believes that this result will have a positive effect on the growth of the women’s game in Malta. “This win means a lot to me and the team,” Gatt said. “Perhaps, it means even more to the technical staff who are a key part of this team and also the coaches and personnel involved with the local clubs whose dedication and courage in encouraging and helping the girls play football is central to the growth of the women's game. “Hopefully this victory will further raise the profile of women’s football in our country as we look to make further improvement.”SCIBERRAS AND ZAMMIT RETURN Meanwhile, Gatt will be able to rely on Italian-based duo Nicole Sciberras and Shona Zammit for Tuesday’s home qualifier against Bosnia & Herzegovina. Sciberras, who plays for the youth team of Juventus, and Zammit, who turns out for Pink Bari, were unavailable for Thursday’s game. They will replace Mġarr United players Patricia Ebejer and Roxanne Micallef. MALTA SQUAD FOR BOSNIA MATCH GOALKEEPERSJanice Xuereb (Birkirkara); Jodie Attard (Raiders Għargħur). DEFENDERSStephania Farrugia, Ann-Marie Said, Alishia Sultana (all Birkirkara); Emma Lipman (Florentia San Gimignano – Italy); Charlene Zammit (Swieqi United); Nicole Sciberras (Juventus – Italy) MIDFIELDERSGabriella Zahra, Veronique Mifsud (both Birkirkara); Rachel Cuschieri (PSV Vrouwen – Netherlands); Jade Flask, Dorianne Theuma, Emma Xuereb (all Swieqi United); Claudette Xuereb (Mġarr United); Shona Zammit (Pink Bari – Italy). FORWARDSBrenda Borg (Mġarr United); Maria Farrugia (Sunderland AFC Ladies – England); Haley Bugeja (Mġarr United); Martina Borg (Sassari Torres – Italy).