Malta women’s national team coach Manuela Tesse is expecting a stronger showing from her side when they host Northern Ireland in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off: 7pm).
Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting between the two sides, Tesse had stressed the need for greater compactness, but Malta struggled to implement that plan as they conceded twice within the opening 17 minutes and surrendered control of the contest early on.
The defeat, Malta’s third in succession, leaves them rooted at the bottom of the group without a point and with a negative goal difference, making their hopes of retaining League B status increasingly difficult.
Despite the setback, Tesse believes there were positives to take from the second-half performance and remains confident in the team’s continued development.
“We need to divide the match into two very different halves,” Tesse told the Times of Malta. “In the first half, our rhythm was below the level we expected. Northern Ireland are a strong and physical team.
“The conditions also had an impact. The pitch was poor and the rain made things even more difficult, especially because many of our players are not accustomed to playing in those circumstances.”
After the break, Malta looked more organised and compact, enjoying longer spells of possession and showing greater balance across the pitch. However, Northern Ireland still managed to add two further goals.
Tesse also rejected suggestions that Malta are failing to create attacking opportunities, a criticism raised after the team scored in only two of their last eight matches — the 3-2 victory over Croatia and the 4-1 defeat to Switzerland.
“I do not fully agree with that assessment,” she said. “If we look at the statistics, the game was much more balanced than some people suggest.”
Malta registered six attempts on goal, with two on target, while Northern Ireland managed seven shots, four of which were on target. The hosts also won 17 free-kicks and struck the woodwork twice through Haley Bugeja and Maria Farrugia.
“When you consider all of that, it would not be fair to say that we created very little danger,” Tesse added.
The Italian coach admitted, however, that the decisive difference came in key areas.
“Northern Ireland were physically stronger, controlled the tempo better and showed more experience in important moments.”
Defensive frailties remain a concern for Malta, with Northern Ireland scoring from all four of their efforts on target.
One of the standout performers for the visitors was 21-year-old Keri Halliday, who caused Malta constant problems down the left flank. Halliday finished the match with two goals and an assist, underlining the quality emerging within the Northern Ireland squad.
The winger had already built an impressive scoring record with Linfield, netting 53 goals in 85 appearances before moving to Scotland. She is currently on loan at Motherwell from Hearts.
Northern Ireland coach Tanya Oxtoby’s assistant, Paul McArdle, praised Halliday’s display, telling the BBC that “she lit the place up tonight.”
Tesse also pointed to Malta’s lack of experience in goal, with the national team currently relying on three 22-year-old goalkeepers still developing at international level.
Injuries have further disrupted preparations, with defenders Rebecca Bajada and Stephania Farrugia, as well as forward Lexine Farrugia, all sidelined by ACL injuries. Swieqi United player Sara Saliba has also been unavailable.
Still, Tesse said the setbacks have created opportunities for younger players to step forward.
“These situations have allowed emerging players such as Alexandra Gatt of York City and Leah Ayres of Hibernians to gain valuable experience and show their potential,” she said.
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