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Winning start for Malta in VisitMalta Women's Trophy

Published: 16-02-2022 15:05
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A second-half brace propelled the Malta women's national team to an opening 3-1 victory against Moldova in the VisitMalta Women's Trophy at the Tony Bezzina Stadium. Charlene Zammit, who was captaining the side on her 82nd cap, had opened the score before Moldova levelled terms just before the half-time whistle. Nonetheless, goals from Jade Flask and Haley Bugeja helped the hosts to kickstart this tournament on a positive note.  For this game, coach Mark Gatt handed youth goalkeeper Maya Cachia her maiden start between the sticks together with Mġarr United's defender Maia Debono who was also making her first appearance at international level. Midfielder Shona Zammit, who was in the starting formation, was collecting her 60th cap with the women's selection. Meanwhile, coach Gatt is one game away from setting a record of his own after matching previous coach Pierre Brincat with 59 games in charge of the women's national team.  Malta defender Ann-Marie Said registered the first chance of the game after letting fly a strike from the edge of the area which glanced past Moldova’s goal. Moments later, Malta produced another opportunity when Haley Bugeja darted into the penalty area but fired her shot wide from goal.   Mark Gatt’s team continued to inch their way up the field but could not make their pressure count, even when Shona Zammit tried her luck from long-range as she failed to hit the target.   Moldova goalkeeper Natalia Munteanu was forced into action when wingback Nicole Sciberras struck a low drive but the Moldavian custodian was alert to avert the danger.  Malta kept brimming in confidence but they could not break the deadlock even when forward Bugeja threatened again with a strike that the Moldova goalkeeper managed to keep at bay.   On the 25th minute, Rachel Cuschieri combined with Maria Farrugia and the former attempted another long-range effort which was once again blocked by the Moldavian custodian.  Moldova’s goalkeeper Munteanu was once again on alert to deny Malta when Farrugia fired another shot on target but could not beat her opponent between the sticks.  Malta managed to open the score on the 32nd minute when Cuschieri’s whipped in cross struck the crossbar before dropping onto captain Charlene Zammit who slotted into empty net.  The hosts remained the better team on the field but Moldova managed to level terms against the run of play when Daniela Mardari capitalised on a flipper inside the penalty area to beat her Crotone Femminile team mate Maya Cachia just before the half-time whistle.  At the restart, Malta immediately pulled ahead when substitute Jade Flask headed home another Cuschieri assist for her sixth international goal.  Moldova had the chance to cancel Malta's lead once again when they were awarded a penalty after a Flask foul inside the box. Nonetheless, Irina Topal's shot from the spot sailed over the bar to the relief of the Maltese team.  The missed penalty came back to haunt Moldova when Bugeja's solo effort was converted into goal as the Sassuolo forward has now scored seven goals at international level.  In the closing stages of the game, Malta could have extended the lead through the likes of Brenda Borg, Dorianne Theuma, Cuschieri and Ylenia Carabott who all their chances but could not convert them into goals.  On the other hand, Malta's two-goal cushion allowed coach Gatt to continue insert new faces into the squad as he put on defender Jade Schembri into the fray for her first ever international appearance as well. Malta managed to hold on to its two-goal lead to secure an important win.  Malta host 78th-ranked Morocco in next Saturday's second and final game of the tournament.   MALTA M. Cachia; A. Said, R. Cuschieri, A. Sultana (78 Y. Carabott), M. Borg (46 D. Theuma), M. Farrugia (46 B. Borg), S. Zammit (46 J. Flask), C. Zammit, M. Debono (67 J. Dimech), N. Sciberras (82 J. Schembri), H. Bugeja.   MOLDOVA  N. Munteanu (35 E. Dumic); E. Railean, A. Sivolobova, M. Violeta, M. Burdeniuc (46 C. Doiban), N. Colesnicenco, I. Topal, C. Tabur (65 V. Cojuhari), A. Chirica (75 S. Tez), D. Mardari, C. Chipher.   Referee: Olivia Tschon (Austria FA).  MALTA: Charlene Zammit (33), Jade Flask (46), Haley Bugeja (73).  MOLDOVA: Daniela Mardari (44).