Theuma’s late goal helps Malta turn corner
Malta 1Albania 1 Facing Albania in their opening match from the 2015 World Cup mini-tournament, being played at the Centenary Stadium, Malta earned a point thanks to Dorianne Theuma’s goal, direct from a corner 10 minutes from time. Pierre Brincat’s...
Malta 1
Albania 1
Facing Albania in their opening match from the 2015 World Cup mini-tournament, being played at the Centenary Stadium, Malta earned a point thanks to Dorianne Theuma’s goal, direct from a corner 10 minutes from time.
Pierre Brincat’s girls came into the four-team tournament in upbeat mood and with their sights set on claiming one of the two qualifying slots.
The first half was a balanced affair with both sides creating scoring chances but the score remained goalless at half-time.
After the interval, Albania stepped up their game and on 53 minutes, Malta goalkeeper Sharon Costantino did well to keep out Denisa Proto’s shot from a free-kick.
Albania took the lead on 73 minutes when Furtuna Velaj’s free-kick dropped to Ellvana Curo who hit past Costantino.
But Malta hit back strongly to level matters seven minutes later.
The hosts were awarded a corner and Theuma’s cross-cum-shot stunned the Albanians as it sailed into the net.
Spurred on by the equaliser, the Maltese pushed forward in search of a winner but efforts from Antoinette Sammut and Gabriella Zahra were saved by Albania goalkepeer Pellumbesha Gjyli.
Tomorrow, Malta meet Luxembourg at the Centenary Stadium at 1.30pm.
Malta: S. Costantino, R. D’Agostino, D. Theuma, Y. Carabott, R. Cuschieri (90 N. Pace), N. Buttigieg (85 A. Grech), A. Sammut, S. Farrugia, C. Zammit, E. Xuereb (63 B. Borg).
Albania: P. Gjyli, D. Proto, C. Lulaj, F. Govori, A. Rrahmani, D. Memedov, S. Jashari (81 N. Selmani), A. Serenaj, A. Robeli (59 A. Veliu), F. Velaj, E. Curo.
Referee: Petra Chudá (Slovakia).
Other result: Luxembourg vs Latvia 0-0.
Bov Division One
Today(Centenary Stadium 6pm): Mqabba vs Pietà Hotspurs; 8pm Vittoriosa Stars vs Gżira United.