Superior Malta beat Estonia 4-1 in second friendly

MALTA 4S. Zammit 18, 38Flask 31Farrugia 45 ESTONIA 1Tulp 62Malta made amends for their 1-0 defeat to Estonia on Monday after beating the same opponents 4-1 in their second friendly on Thursday evening, Enterprising midfielder Shona Zammit struck a brace while Jade Flask and Maria Farrugia scored the other goals for the Malta women’s team, guided by coach Mark Gatt. Determined to atone for Monday's defeat, Malta began the match on the forefront with Farrugia, Brenda Borg and Martina Borg posing a constant threat to the Estonia defence. The hosts forged ahead on 18 minutes through Shona Zammit who scored with a long-range effort. Estonia tried to stage a reaction but the Maltese girls stayed in control. They threatened to extend their lead through Brenda Borg whose shot was deflected away for a corner by goalkeeper Getter Laar. Nonetheless, Malta doubled their lead thanks to Flask who headed home from a corner action on 31 minutes. Moments later, young striker Farrugia made headway on the left but her close-range effort sailed inches wide. Malta put the game to bed with two goals in the late first half. First, Zammit surprised the goalkeeper with another sublime shot from the edge of the area. On the stroke of half-time, Gozitan player Farrugia profited from a goalkeeping mistake to slot the ball into an empty net for her maiden goal for the national team. After the change of ends, Malta tried to preserve their four-goal lead, creating few opportunities. Estonia pulled one back on 62 minutes through Ulrika Tulp who capitalised on a defensive mistake. Tulp continued to test Malta's backline with some long-range efforts but the Maltese girls held firm to secure an emphatic win in their second official outing for 2018. MALTAJanice Xuereb, Gabriella Zahra, Nicole Sciberras (Charlene Cassia 80’), Brenda Borg (Stephania Farrugia 46’), Maria Farrugia (Andy Zammit Mizzi 89’), Shona Zammit, Jade Flask (Mandy Debono 53’), Charlene Zammit ©, Emma Xuereb, Alishia Sultana, Martina Borg (Raina Giusti 63’).COACH: Mark Gatt ESTONIAGetter Laar (Getrin Stigin 46’), Kairi Himanen, Kethy Ounpuu © (Liivi Sormus 46’) (Gerli Israel 81’) (Silja Gorosko 84’), Ketlin Saar, Berle Brant, Siret Raamet, Katrin Loo, Eneli Kutter (Ariina Murkhain 75’), Kristina Bannikova, Lisette Tammik, Kelly Rosen (Ulrika Tulp 46’).COACH: Jarmo Matikainen Referee: Tania Fernandes Morais (Luxembourg FA)