A Haley Bugeja goal in the final stages of the first half was enough for Malta to beat Cyprus at the National Stadium at Ta' Qali to regain promotion to League B of the UEFA Nations League.

This is the second time that Mauela Tesse's girlsobtained promotion to League B. Malta had nine points against Cyprus' seven in the standings and the victory gave Malta a five‐point lead, making the final match in Andorra next week a mere formality.

On ten minutes Malta goal‐ keeper Janice Xuereb was called in action to save a good effort from Charalambous. Sixty sec‐ onds later Malta with a Maria Farrugia effort that slightly missed the target.

On 33 minutes Malta went very close when Haley Bugeja passed towards Rachel Cuschieri who had her effort going inches wide. Six minutes later Malta had a lucky escape when an Elena Aris‐ todimou hit the woodwork.

On 42 minutes Malta broke the deadlock when Haley Bugeja made her way inside the area be‐ fore beating the Cyprus goal‐ keeper.

Just before the break a Haley Bugeja lob was blocked by Matthalou.

In the second half the Maltese controlled the game and Shona Zammit missed a good opportu‐ nity on 57 minutes with the Cyprus custodian blocking an Emma Lipman header.

Malta was unlucky not to wrap the match on 72 minutes when a Maria Farrugia shot slammed against the crossbar.

Malta: Janice Xuereb, Emma Lipman, Oceane Grange, Rachel Cuschieri, Kailey Willis, Maria Farrugia, Maya Lucia, Shona Za‐ mmit, Emma Xuereb, Nicole Sciberras, Haley Bugeja (Leah Ayres 90 min).

Cyprus: Maria Matthalou, Chara Charalambous, Chryso Charalambous (Korina Adamou 64 min), Chryso Michael (Efthalia Sckiakalli 75 min), An‐ drea Cusick (Lucretia Chrysosto‐ mou 87 min), Maria Panagiotou, Filippa Savva, Antri Violari, Elena Aristodimou (Anna Matsoukari 87 min), Sara Papadopoulou, Marilena Georgiou, Marilia Con‐ stantinou (Antriana Tsoukka 75 min).

Referee: Sabina Bolic (Croatia)

Photo Andre Farrugia