MALTA 3
ROMANIA 3
The Malta U-19 team featured in a 3-3 draw against Romania in a friendly match at the MFA Training Grounds, on Tuesday.
This was the first in a series of three friendlies which are intended to boost the Malta U-19 girls' preparations for next month's UEFA U-19 Women's European Championship qualifiers, being held in Croatia. The Maltese girls will face England, Slovakia and Croatia.
Malta, under the guidance of Frank Schembri, and Romania shared six goals in a thrilling encounter with the latter opening the scoring on 12 minutes through Carmen Marcu.
The Maltese side, who had Jana Barbara, currently on the books of 2. Bundesliga side SGS Essen in Germany in their ranks, levelled terms through Maria Farrugia on the half-hour mark.
Demi Magrin put the Maltese in front to make it 2-1. However, the visiting side managed to go into the dressing rooms on level terms with another Marcu goal.
After the change of ends, Romania forged ahead when Valentina Rapa sent the ball into her own net in an attempt to avert the danger.
Yet, Schembri's girls refused to give up as they managed to make it 3-3 thanks to Farrugia who concluded a solo effort.
The second friendly between Malta and Romania is on Thursday art 17.00 and the third and final game on Saturday at 11.30.
MALTA
Jodie Attard; Chloe Ann Ellul, Valentina Rapa, Rohanne Zahra (Jessica Dimech 61'), Celeste Grech (Kayleigh Chetcuti 60'), Jana Barbara (Kathryn Ellul 82'), Maia Debono (Leanne Cefai 51'), Maria Farrugia, Samatha Zarb (Angelique Schembri 88'), Sarah Urpani (Demi Magrin 14'), Nicole Sciberras ©.
Coach: Frank Schembri
ROMANIA
Szidonia Salamon; Melinda Nagy ©, Daniela Mates (Rosie Gennveva 60'), Raluca Borodi, Oana Negrea, Ana-Maria Vladulescu (Cosmina Rosu 67'), Andreea Dita, Madalina Marinescu, Carmen Marcu, Georgiana Gologan (Julia Zamfir 77'), Alexandra Tunoaia.
Coach: Florin Bugar.
Referee: Joanna Vassallo
Assistant referees: Aidan Aquilina, Raiden Psaila
Scorers: Farrugia 30, 77; Magrin 38; Marcu 12 43; OG Valentina Rapa 65