Romania prove too strong for plucky Malta in first international friendly

WOMEN'S UNDER-19 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Centenary Stadium, 28.02.2026

MALTA...0
ROMANIA...5

Ezster Szoke 20’ (0-1), Jasmine Ouatu 36’ (0-2), Amber Galea (OG) 71’ (0-3), Maria Olah 83’ (0-4), Rania Kara Jouli 86’ (0-5)

The Malta Women's Under-19 National Team fell to defeat against Romania in a match that was largely decided in the closing stages, with Malta unluckily not getting on the scoresheet.

Malta and Romania faced off in the first of two international friendly matches at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday morning. The opening 20 minutes saw Romania on the front foot and they took the lead with a fine effort from captain Eszter Szoke that easily beat Erika Muscat.

Romania continued dominating the game and doubled on 36 minutes when Jasmine Ouatu concluded successfully with a sharp shot that smashed into the net. A couple of minutes later it was almost 3-0 when a cross by Maria Ivan found Szoke whose shot was somehow blocked by the Maltese defence.

Malta should have reduced the arrears on 44 minutes when Ema Micallef found Nyorah Celeste who however saw her effort brilliantly blocked by Moldovan for a corner.

The Maltese girls started the second half brightly and were desperately unlucky not to reduce the deficit on 49 minutes when a free kick from well outside the box by Lisa Calleja clipped the outside of the post. Romania hit back on 65 minutes when a deep cross met Dana Ciobla who headed back with Giulia Dumitru’s shot blocked.

Ciobla was again lively on 70 minutes with a low shot that was well saved by Muscat. However, from the resulting corner, Amber Galea unfortunately put the ball into Malta’s net for Romania to go 3-0 up.

Seven minutes from time, Romania made it four with a well worked move that ended with Maria Olah slamming into the net from close range. Three minutes later the rout continued with Kara Jouli bobbing the ball past Muscat for Romania’s fifth.

Malta: Erika Muscat, Thea Ida Scicluna (Angele Fenech 77’), Amber Galea, Francesca Bartolo, Ema Micallef, Nyorah Celeste, Thais Muscat (Shannen Mallia 64’), Suzanne Farrugia Sacco, Lara May Azzopardi, Stella Francalanza, Lisa Calleja (Shanna Farrugia 64’)
Coach: David Attard

Romania: Alesia Moldovan, Andra Mihaescu (Irina Apostol 60’), Bianca Corsei (Carina Raducu 60’), Sara Bortea (Rania Kara Jouli 60’), Violeta Bogos (Rania Kara 60’), Anastasia Radu (Dana Ciobala 60’), Eszter Szoke (Giulia Dumitru 60’), Maria Ivan, Alexia Niculescu (Irina Cicos 60’), Laureen Olescher (Anastasia Lonte 46’), Jasmine Ouatu (Maria Olah 60’)
Coach: Constantin Olariu

Referee: Paula Buttigieg