A bright showing from Mark Gatt’s team against 66th-ranked Israel on home soil in November was rewarded with a point following a 1-1 draw. Had the Maltese taken the open chances they created, they could have easily left the pitch of the Centenary Stadium with the three points.

Sunderland AFC Ladies player Maria Farrugia, one of a host of foreign-based players in the Maltese squad, netted Malta’s goal – her second for the national team. So...