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Gatt names Malta squad for women’s qualifier against Italy

Published: 28-09-2019 11:20
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Malta women’s coach Mark Gatt has named a squad of 20 players for the eagerly-awaited UEFA Women's EURO 2021 qualifier against Italy, being played on Friday, October 4 at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off: 17.30).  For Friday’s commitment, Malta’s first at home in this Group B qualifying campaign, coach Gatt has kept faith with most of the players who were part of the squad for the opening qualifiers away to Denmark (0-8) and Bosnia & Herzegovina (0-2). These include captain Dorianne Theuma who, with 93 appearances to her name, is closing in on the 100-cap milestone. Gatt has selected five foreign-based players in his squad, namely Maria Farrugia, who is on the books of Sunderland AFC Ladies, PSV Eindhoven’s Rachel Cuschieri, Nicole Sciberras, of Juventus, Pink Bari’s Shona Zammit and Emma Lipman, of Florentia San Gimignano. Lipman, who featured for the Malta Women’s Selection in the 2-1 friendly win over Bolton Ladies in May, has earned her first call-up. The women’s national squad convened for training last week in preparation for the qualifier against the 14th-ranked Italy who began their EURO qualifying campaign with narrow wins away to Israel (3-2) and Georgia (1-0). Following Friday’s qualifier, the Malta women’s team will return to action the following month with a home match against Israel (November 7) and Italy away at Castel di Sangro (November 12). UPDATEFrom the original 20-strong squad named by Gatt, Birkirkara defender Alishia Sultana has been ruled out of the Malta-Italy qualifier due to injury. MALTA WOMEN'S SQUADGOALKEEPERSJanice Xuereb (Birkirkara); Rachelle Lynn Borg (Mġarr United). DEFENDERSStephania Farrugia, Ann-Marie Said (both Birkirkara); Nicole Sciberras (Juventus, Italy); Jasmine Louise Turner (Mġarr United); Charlene Zammit (Swieqi United); Emma Lipman (Florentia San Gimignano, Italy). MIDFIELDERSRachel Cuschieri (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands); Jade Flask, Emma Xuereb (both Swieqi United); Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara); Dorianne Theuma (Hibernians); Shona Zammit (Pink Bari, Italy). FORWARDSBrenda Borg, Claudette Xuereb (both Mġarr United); Maria Farrugia (Sunderland AFC Ladies, England); Ylenia Carabott (Birkirkara).  Tickets for the Italy match can be purchased online – CLICK HERE