Malta U-17 girls in Tallinn for Development Tournament

The Malta U-17 girls team are in Tallinn to take part in a UEFA Development Tournament between July 4 and 9. The other participating teams are Azerbaijan, Finland and Estonia. Malta open their commitments against Azerbaijan on Tuesday before meeting Finland the following day. Their final game is against hosts Estonia on Friday.  This tournament should boost the Maltese girls’ preparations for the 2018 UEFA U-17 women’s qualifiers in October. Malta have been drawn against Slovenia, Finland and powerhouse Italy. “Our aim is to prepare for the October qualifiers. We don’t have high expectations as the other three teams in this group are tough, particularly Finland,” Malta U-17 coach Frank Schembri said. “This tournament provides our youngsters with a great opportunity to get a taste of international football while consolidating the experience of the older members of the squad. Hopefully, it will also help the team to gel as we have drafted some younger players into the squad.”  Schembri has selected 20 players born in 2001 and 2002, for this UEFA Development Tournament. Ranked 67th, Azerbaijan have revamped their women’s national team lately in a bid to boost their chances of climbing further up the rankings and qualify for a major tournament. Finland, ranked 28th, have more experience at this level. Last year, they missed out on qualification for the European championship on goal difference after finishing level with Portugal on five points. Meanwhile, Estonia, ranked 85th, will be looking to leave a positive impression on home soil but are coming from a series of disappointing results. In their last qualifying campaign they lost all their matches, including against Azerbaijan. MALTA U-17 SQUAD Goalkeepers: Lauren Sciberras (Mġarr United), Sarah Zarb (Mosta).Defenders: Tammy Agius, Jessica Lee Dimech, Chloe Ann Ellul (Tarxien Rainbows), Vaentina Rapa (Gozo), Nicole Sciberras (Mosta), Rohanne Zahra (Luxol), Amber Brincat (Hibernians), Nicole Zammit (Birkirkara).Midfielders: Michela Bonello Ghio (Luxol), Amy Busuttil (Tarxien Rainbows), Maia Debono (Mgarr United), Maria Farrugia (Gozo), Jasmin Celeste Grech (Mosta), Angelique Schembri (Mġarr United), Samantha Zarb (Birkirkara), Demi Magrin (Kirkop United).Forwards: Shakira Bugeja (Hibernians), Michela Felice (Birkirkara).