Malta     1

Israel      1

Malta: J. Xuereb, E. Lipman, S. Farrugia, D. Theuma, R. Cuschieri (M. Borg 90), M. Farrugia, S. Zammit, J. Flask, C. Zammit, B. Borg (Y. Carabott 63), N. Sciberras (A. Sultana 46)

Israel: H. Schwarz, L. Barkai, O. Sofer (M. Awad 46), K. Goor, S. Sade, S. Nakav, S. David (D. Sofer 46, S. Elinav 57), E. Mor, A. Eden, S. Karin, S. Beck

Referee: A. Cesen (Slovenia)

Asst refs: S. Spur, T. Vrabel

4^th official: T. Subotic

Scorers: M. Farrugia 37

Yellow cards: K. Sendel 27, S. Sade 35, E. Lipman 70

Malta obtained its first point in qualifying Group B when the local girls drew their match with Israel 1-1 at the Centenary Stadium.

Malta's best player, Maria Farrugia, gave Malta the lead in the first half, but Israel fought back to get an equaliser in the second half through Sharon Beck.

The draw came after three defeats earlier against Denmark, Bosnia Herzegovina and Italy.

Facing the wind in the first half, Malta was forced on the defensive as the Israeli girls were in command in midfield.

But goalie Janice Xuereb was never really tested as the Maltese were well organised at the back.

Moreover, the locals were very dangerous in their fewer counter-attacks through the fine combination of Rachel Cuschieri and Maria Farrugia.

After going close in two or three attempts, they finally managed to take the lead.

In the second half, Malta had two good chances early on, but having missed both of them, they suffered an Israeli equaliser and till the end, they had to show great determination to keep the improved Israelis at bay.

Israel had a good chance to open the scoring on 12 minutes, but Eden Avital shot weakly into the safe hands of Malta goalie Janice Xuereb.

Malta's best chance arrived in the 16^th minute when Rachel Cuschieri crossed perfectly for Dorianne Theuma who anticipated the goalie only for her effort to go just over the bar.

In the 29^th minute, it was Jade Flask who made a timely intervention clearing the ball away before Mor Efraim could connect to a cross in front of goal.

Malta goalie Xuereb came to the side's rescue on 31 minutes. There was a very bad clearance by a Maltese defender which allowed three Israelis to advance with only one Maltese girl facing them. But Xuereb came out of her charge to block on the completely unmarked Sharon Beck.

In the 36^th minute Malta went close to a goal when Rachel Cuschieri's freekick from just outside the area, just missed the target.

Malta, however, took the lead on the 37^th minute when Maria Farrugia received a good ball on the right and advanced into the area to beat Israeli goalie Schwarz with a low shot.

Early in the second half, Malta again missed a great chance to increase its lead when from a Cuschieri pass, Brenda Borg came face to face with the goalie, but her shot went wide.

Soon after, Maria Farrugia was a protagonist with a great run from midfield into the Israeli area where she was thwarted by Shahar Nakav who blocked her final effort to a corner.

In the 55^th minute, it was Cuschieri who tested Schwarz, but the goalie saved confidently.

Malta paid dearly for these lapses as Israel scored their equaliser on 64 minutes with a great rising shot from Sharen Beck from the edge of the area.

Malta retaliated and from a Theuma freekick, Flask saw her conclusion going wide.

At the other end, from an Awad corner, a Beck header was cleared from over the line by Flask.

In the 85^th minute, Israel threatened through an Avital low effort, but Xuereb dived sideways to save in style.

In added time, Malta's Dorianne Theuma almost got the winner direct from a corner, but the goalie somehow managed to palm the ball out.