The Malta Women’s Under-19 National Team produced an encouraging performance but were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw against Lebanon in the second of two friendly encounters at the Centenary Stadium.

Coach David Attard’s side were on top for most of the match, creating several chances and displaying fluid attacking play, but ultimately could not find the finishing touch to secure victory.

Bright Start for Malta

Malta began strongly, dominating possession and showing confidence in midfield. Early pressure saw Emma Flannery set up Nyorah Celeste, whose effort went wide, before Lexine Farrugia tested Lebanese goalkeeper Marcelle Skaiki with a clever lob that was well saved.

Their persistence paid off in the 12th minute, when a rehearsed free-kick routine found Celeste, who timed her run perfectly before finishing calmly to give Malta a deserved 1–0 lead.

Lebanon Hit Back

The visitors equalised ten minutes later. After a deflection in midfield, the ball fell kindly to Maryam Lazkani, who made no mistake from close range to level the score at 1–1.

Malta continued to push forward, with Farrugia and Crista Chetcuti Ganado both going close before the interval, but the Lebanese goalkeeper stood firm to deny them a second goal.

Malta Press for a Winner

In the second half, Malta maintained control, with Chetcuti Ganado narrowly missing the target after a strong solo run in the 60th minute. Another promising move saw Farrugia play a superb through ball to Celeste, but Skaiki once again produced a crucial save.

The hosts came agonisingly close to reclaiming the lead in the 84th minute, when Flannery saw her left-footed strike roll inches wide after good work by Farrugia on the right flank. Moments later, Alys Wilson headed over from close range following a fine cross by Chetcuti Ganado.

Despite Malta’s late pressure, the match ended all square — a performance full of positives but one that deserved more than a draw.

Match Statistics

Line-Ups

Malta:
1 Maya Muscat (GK), 5 Francesca Bartolo, 4 Amber Galea, 3 Lara May Azzopardi, 11 Rowen Crawshaw, 6 Emma Flannery, 14 Caitlyn Turner, 22 Suzanne Farrugia Sacco (2 Alys Wilson 80’), 10 Nyorah Celeste, 20 Crista Chetcuti Ganado, 7 Lexine Farrugia (C)
Coach: David Attard

Lebanon:
22 Marcelle Skaiki (GK), 4 Haya Najjad, 2 Ayana Rezkallah, 14 Lynn Moutran, 11 Sara Fakih, 10 Cecile Iskandar (C), 18 Paula Karam (7 Sherine Hasno 46’), 8 Gianna Franjieh, 19 Luna Khazem (20 Sarah Issa 68’), 9 Maryam Lazkani (17 Caren Serhal 89’), 12 Gabriella Danielle (6 Celine Bittar 46’)
Coach: Francois Dahdah

Referee: Paula Buttigieg