Malta U-19’s women lose narrowly to Catania in home friendly

A second-half goal from Beatrice Vitale handed Catania U-19’s a narrow victory over the U-19’s women’s national team in a friendly played at the Centenary Stadium, on Monday.

This friendly served Frank Schembri’s side as preparation for their upcoming European qualifiers that are pencilled for April with Malta set to face Armenia and Faroe Islands.

For this game, coach Schembri deployed goalkeeper Justyne Caruana from the start. Izabella Camilleri, Georgiana Mifsud, Kayah Abela Sciberras and Francesca Bartolo formed the backline.

The midfield duo was composed by two foreign-based players in captain Alexandra Gatt, who is on the books of Durham Cestria in England, and Reagan Mallia, who plies her trade in the United States.

The forward players were Ileana Farrugia, Lexine Farrugia – who came off early after picking up a knock – Martina Cortis and Yulya Carella.

Meanwhile, the boys U-16’s team defeated Lithuania 1-0 in an international friendly played on Sunday.

Thomas Mellilo scored the all-important goal with both teams set to face each other once again, on Tuesday.

Malta’s formation, led by coach Andrea Vella, was the following: James Sissons; Jake Attard (77 Ethan Muscat), Jayden Vella (77 Adam Vella), Shelom Magri, Nathan Joyce, Sheldon Borg, Thomas Melillo, Claude Mercieca (88 Dejan Farrugia), Luke Bugeja, Denzil Muscat (67 Nathan Zerafa), Hijazi Ubada (77 Nathan Grech).