Malta suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Cyprus in a tightly contested UEFA Women’s Nations League encounter.
The Maltese side started brightly and created an early chance after six minutes when Haley Bugeja’s shot was easily saved by Maria Matthaiou. Cyprus responded with a close header from Antri Violari, which went just wide.
Malta’s best opportunity of the first half came in the 17th minute when a cross from Maria Farrugia found Kailey Willis, whose header was superbly saved by Matthaiou. The rebound fell to Rachel Cuschieri, but she shot well over the bar.
Cyprus almost took the lead moments later when captain Marilena Georgiou’s cross met Sara Papadopoulou, whose header rattled the post with Janice Xuereb beaten. Another chance came in the 28th minute when Eirini Michail broke past the Maltese defense but couldn’t find the net.
The breakthrough for Cyprus came in the 34th minute under bizarre circumstances. A clearance attempt by Xuereb deflected off Violari, trickling into the net. Just four minutes later, Cyprus doubled their advantage when Marilia Constantinou rose highest to meet a corner, sending a looping header over the helpless Xuereb.
Malta were unlucky not to pull one back before halftime when Cuschieri delivered a perfect cross to Farrugia, whose effort struck the post.
Five minutes into the second half, Malta found a lifeline. A cross from Bugeja led to an own goal by Sarah Papadopoulou, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Malta dominated the latter stages, pushing for an equalizer. Bugeja came close with a powerful shot in the 74th minute, but despite several late attempts, the Cypriot defense held firm to secure all three points.
Team Line-ups
Cyprus: Maria Matthaiou, Chryso Michael, Andrea Cusick, Maria Panagiotou, Filippa Savva, Antri Violari, Chara Charalambous (Andria Efstratiou 60’), Sara Papadopoulou, Marilena Georgiou (Efthalia Siakalli 77’), Eirini Michail (Maria Astaniou 77’), Marilia Constantinou (Korina Paola Adamou 60’)
Malta: Xuereb Janice, Lipman Emma Louise, Cuschieri Rachel, Farrugia Maria, Willis Kailey (Cassar Alishia 46’), Lucia Maya, Zammit Shona (Fiona Buttigieg 78’), Zammit Charlene, Xuereb Emma, Sciberras Nicole (Lexine Farrugia 84’), Bugeja Haley
UEFA Women’s Nations League Group C2 – Round 1
Stadium: AEK Arena, Larnaca, Cyprus
Date: 21.02.2025, 7 PM
Final Score:
Cyprus 2 – 1 Malta
Goals:
- M. Constantinou 34’ (Cyprus)
- A. Violari 38’ (Cyprus)
- S. Papadopoulou (OG) 50’ (Malta)
Match Officials
- Referee: Emily Heaslip (ENG)
- 1st Assistant: Sophie Dennington (ENG)
- 2nd Assistant: Isabel Chaplin (ENG)
- 4th Official: Kirsty Dowle (ENG)
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
Leave a Reply