In preparation for their competitive matches in qualifying rounds of UEFA competitions later on this season, Malta will be taking part in a friendly mini-tournament for national women's teams in Skopje, Macedonia, between November 7 and 12.

The nations taking part are hosts Macedonia, Malta, Armenia and Estonia.

National team coach Pierre Brincat will be eyeing more experience for his squad and hopes the tournament will be a useful try-out for his team.

"After playing the home team, Macedonia, on Nov. 7, two days later we will come up against Estonia, whom we beat in the last tournament in what turned out to be a very difficult match for us. We finish our commitments against Armenia," Brincat said.

"In this tournament I have three first-team players missing, due to work commitments and injuries. I have included two new players, Kelly Agius Pace and Maria Theresa Zammit."

"At the moment we have a lot of young players and through such matches they are bound to get a lot of experience," continued Brincat, who also said that next year he will include three more players in the Malta squad since they will have reached the age of 16.

"Together with my assistant Mark Gatt, I have been preparing my squad well for this tournament, and in my opinion we are gradually improving and looking forward to getting good results, including a second win since we ventured on the international scene," concluded the Malta women's team coach.

The squad

Goalkeepers: Sharon Costantino, Nina Dimech (both Birkirkara).

Defenders: Rebecca D'Agostino (Mosta), Mandy Debono (Hibs), Chantal Fenech (Birkirkara), Natasha Pace (Mosta).

Midfielders: Maria Azzopardi (Hibs), Catherine Camilleri (Birkirkara), Ylenia Carabott (Mosta), Rebecca Chircop (Mosta), Rachel Cuschieri (Birkirkara), Stefania Farrugia (Birkirkara), Karen Lia (Mosta), Kathleen Saliba (Hibs), Dorianne Theuma (Mosta).

Strikers: Kelly Agius Pace (Birkirkara), Roxanne Gatt (Mosta), Maria Theresa Zammit (Mosta).