Malta finish UEFA WU15 tournament with brilliant victory over Romania

Malta closed out their UEFA WU15 Development Tournament campaign on a high, defeating Romania with an impressive display to secure two wins from three matches in an exciting week for the young squad.

Clint Tabone’s side entered the match full of confidence following their comeback win against Northern Ireland and were determined to bounce back strongly after their penalty shootout loss to Lithuania.

The home team started with great energy, immediately putting Romania on the back foot. Katrina Catania was lively down the left flank, creating early problems for the Romanian defence.

The breakthrough arrived after just 12 minutes, when Keziah Richard powered a stunning strike past goalkeeper Nicoara Ioana, sending the Maltese supporters into raptures.

Barely a minute later, Malta nearly doubled their lead when Chanice Refalo broke into the box, but her low shot was comfortably gathered by Ioana.

On 25 minutes, Refalo again came close, dazzling the Romanian defence with quick footwork, only to see her effort blocked at the last moment.

Malta’s pressure paid off just before the break. In the 44th minute, Mikaela Vella Aquilina unleashed a superb effort that Ioana could not keep out, giving Malta a deserved 2-0 advantage at halftime.

Romania come back in second half but Maltese girls hold on

Romania came out with renewed determination in the second half and registered their first clear chance in the 48th minute when Madalina Munteanu fired just wide from distance.

They eventually pulled one back in the 65th minute, as Johanna Zvenyak capitalized on a loose ball inside the penalty area to reduce the deficit to 2-1, setting up a tense final 15 minutes.

Malta almost restored their two-goal cushion in the 75th minute, when Richard burst into the box again, only to be denied by the impressive Ioana.

Despite late Romanian pressure, Malta’s defence stood firm to seal an excellent second consecutive win and conclude their tournament with six points.

Lineups

Malta:
Mariah Chircop, Martina Mendez Vasquez, Rihana Fava Borg, Elisa Polidano (Cassidy Massa 90’), Amie Martha Portelli, Keziah Richard (Jodie Lewis 90+2’), Elanya Mallia, Katrina Catania (Ella Muscat 62’), Amy Muscat (Francesca Spiteri Busuttil 62’), Chanice Refalo (Kylie Pullicino 62’), Mikaela Vella Aquilina
Coach: Clint Tabone

Romania:
Nicoara Ioana, Mauna Miarina (Cristiana Carciunas 37’), Briciu Sofia, Mihart Oana (Velicu Anna 67’), Baidoc Stefania, Palco Riana, Pap Ieney Ingrid, Daria Moldovan, Munteanu Madalina, Tanase Georgiana (Zvenyak Johanna 64’), Ines Briciu
Coach: [Name not provided]

Referee: Francesco Squillari

Match Statistics

• Possession: Malta 54% – 46% Romania

• Shots on Target: Malta 7 – 3 Romania

• Total Shots: Malta 12 – 7 Romania

• Corners: Malta 6 – 4 Romania

• Fouls Committed: Malta 8 – 10 Romania

• Yellow Cards: Malta 1 – 2 Romania

• Substitutions: Malta 5 – 3 Romania

Final Result

Malta 2 – 1 Romania
Goalscorers: Keziah Richard 12’ (MLT), Mikaela Vella Aquilina 44’ (MLT), Johanna Zvenyak 65’ (ROM)