Malta ended their commitments in 2019 Women’s World Cup preliminary round on a high after beating debutants Kosovo 3-1 at the Selman Stermazi Stadium in Tirana, yesterday.
The Maltese girls finished with a total of four points in Group Two but missed out on qualification to the group phase as Albania claimed top spot after a last-gasp 2-1 win over Greece.
Having only gained one point from their opening two matches, the Maltese girls were determined to chalk up their first win in their last outing.
Mark Gatt’s team established a foothold in the match right from the outset with Apollon Ladies midfielder Rachel Cuschieri breaking the deadlock on 12 minutes.
Malta’s initial dominance produced a second goal on 27 minutes thanks to Jade Flask. Nine minutes later, the Maltese girls all but wrapped up their win when captain Dorianne Theuma added a third.
After the change of ends, Malta remained the better side and, with a 3-0 cushion, Gatt made two substitutions by the 63rd minute.
Kosovo scored a consolation goal ten minutes from time through Blerta Shala but the brave Maltese girls had long secured the three points.
In the other Group Two match, Furtuna Velaj redeemed herself after missing a penalty as her stoppage-time goal gave Albania a 2-1 win over Greece.
Albania won the group with seven points, one more than Greece.
Malta: J. Xuereb, G. Zahra, A.M. Said, S. Farrugia, D. Theuma, Y. Carabott (85 K. Parnis), J. Flask (63 M. Borg), S. Zammit, R. Cuschieri (46 E. Xuereb), C. Zammit, A. Sultana.
Kosovo: F. Kolgeci (90 I. Kryeziu), G. Lushtaku, F. Kastrati, Q. Bajra (46 B. Musa), B. Shala, V. Limani, E. Kryeziu, L. Syla, M. Durguti, A. Rexha, K. Biqkaj.
Referee: A. Rayner (England).