Lithuania chalked up a 3-0 victory over Malta in a friendly match, played this evening at the Centenary Stadium.
The Lithuanian girls forged ahead after 10 minutes. Simona Velicktaite received a throughpass from midfield and hit a low drive past goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.
The home team took some time to make a reaction and Lithuania tried to up the pressure but the Malta defenders appeared to grow in confidence as the first half moved on
Midway into the opening half, Liucija Vaitukaityte tried her luck from a free-kick but the ball hit the outside of the post.
Just before the half-time whistle, Malta’s Ylenia Carabott fired a shot from the edge of the box but her effort was off target.
After the interval, Malta had a great chance to level matters but Rachel Cuschieri’s free-kick from just outside the penalty area hit the crossbar.
Stephania Farrugia failed to score from the rebound.
Lithuania doubled their advantage on 64 minutes from the penalty spot. Charlene Zammit committed a handsball in the box and Velicktaite made no mistake.
The visiting side added a third goal on 72 minutes courtesy of Kamile Vaiciulaityte who profited from a mistake by Xuereb to tap the ball home.
Malta and Lithuania meet again on Friday at the Centenary Stadium. The game kicks off at 11am. MALTA Janice Xuereb (85 Jodie Attard), Gabriella Zahra (30 Emma Xuereb), Ann-Marie Said (82 Yasmeen-Marie Vella), Kimberley Parnis (84 Mandy Debono), Stephania Farrugia, Rachel Cuschieri, Martina Borg (65 Dorianne Theuma), Raina Giusti (35 Ylenia Carabott), Rebecca Bajada (68 Alishia Sultana), Shona Zammit, Charlene Zammit. LITHUANIA Greta Kaselyte, Liucija Vaitukaitye (76 Gabija Gedgaudaite), Rita Mazukelyte (61 Paulina Potapova), Oksana Imanalijeva, Ugne Smitaite (74 Paulina Narbutaite), Dovile Gaileviciute (70 Anika Kyzaite), Vestina Neverdauskaite, Simona Velicktaite, Viktorija Budryte (46 Kamile Vaiciulaityte), Samanta Karasiovaite (46 Algimante Mikutaite), Milda Liuzinaite.
SCORERS: Velicktaite 10, 64; Vaiciulaityte 72
Picture: Liucija Vaitukaityte of Lithuania (R) goes past Martina Borg of Malta. Malta lost 0-3 on home soil to the Lithaunians. Photo: Domenic Aquilina