Malta beaten 2-0 in Israel

Malta's Women's team was beaten by two goals to nil by hosts Israel in the first of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualification Group matches.  An organized Malta defence managed to keep at bay the strong Israel attacks up to half-time.  After the break Israel continued where they left off in the first half pressing the Malta defence for long stretches with our girls trying to operate on counter attacks which however lacked punch upfront. Israel substituted Sara Friedman with Rachel Shelma and the new player proved to be a threat to the Malta defence. In the 50th minute Israel opened the score with a good first time shot on the turn from outside the area by Danielle Safar which gave goalie Janice Xuereb no chance to save. In the 51st minute Malta substituted Nicole Butigieg with young Brenda Borg. In the 60th Minute referee Hilal Tuba Tosun Aijer awarded a dubious free kick on the edge of the penalty area and from this free-kick new comer Rachel Schelina found the top corner of the net to double score for Israel. Fifa women's world cup qualifiersIsrael vs Malta FT 2 – 0 (HT 0 – 0)Scorers: Daniel Sofer 51', Rachel Shelina 60' Team Formations..Israel: Merov Shamir, Michal Ravitz, Shay Sade, Daniel Sofer, Adva Tawil (Rachel Shelina 55’), Lee Sima Faljon, Moran Fridmar, Sarah Lynn Fredman (Karin Sendel 46’), Maya Barqui, Moran Lavi (Arava Shahaf 71’), Duana Redman. COACH: Meir Nachmias  Malta: Janice Xuereb, Gabriella Zahra, Rebecca D'Agistino, Dorianne Theuma (Mandy Debono 76’), Ylemia Carabott, Rachel Cuschieri, Nicole Buttigieg (Brenda Borg 51’), Antionette Sammut, Stephania Farrugia, Charlene Zammit, Emma Xuereb (Dionne Tonna 76’). COACH: Pierre Brincat.