Malta women fall to clinical Northern Ireland in European Qualifier

Malta women fell 4-0 to Northern Ireland at Mourneview Park on Tuesday, as the hosts triumphed with two goals in each half.

The final scoreline proved to be harsh for the Maltese side, who showed attacking intent throughout the 90 minutes, yet were not able to convert any of their chances into goals. The hosts capitalized on these missed chances to further increase the gap as the game progressed, resulting in a heavy defeat for the Maltese.

The hosts went in front through Keri Halliday after just five minutes, before Joely Andrews connected well with a cross to double their lead in the 17th minute.

In the 22nd minute, Malta had the opportunity to reduce the deficit, when the ball was cut back to Rachel Cuschieri, yet her effort on goal was blocked.

D’Antuono stopped the rot in the 33rd minute, saving Megan Bell's shot, with the subsequent rebound from Halliday blocked by the Maltese defence.

Northern Ireland made it 3-0 shortly after the start of the second half, when Halliday skipped past a couple of challenges from the Maltese defence, before curling a shot towards the near post.

Malta had a golden opportunity to get a goal back in the 59th minute, when a lobbed pass from the back found Haley Bugeja, who cut inside in the penalty area, yet her left-footed strike was tipped onto the bar by Jacqueline Burns.

Northern Ireland went up the other end, and Danielle Maxwell lifted the ball over D’Antuono to make it 4-0.

Malta pushed in search of a goal, even if it would prove to be a consolation, but they could not breach the Northern Ireland defence, and the match finished 4-0 to the hosts.

The two sides meet again on home soil on Saturday 18th April, with Malta welcoming Northern Ireland at the Centenary Stadium. Kick-off is at 19:00hrs.

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Photo source: Malta Football Association