Malta U-15 girls head to Thailand for Development Tournament

UEFA has invited the Malta FA to send our Under-15 girls team to take part in this tournament under the UEFA Assist programme – a project aimed at providing practical assistance to other confederations and their member associations in order to develop and strengthen football across the globe.

Malta, under the guidance of coach Dorianne Theuma, begin their commitments with a match against Mongolia (Sunday, December 9, 4pm) before facing Singapore two days later (4pm). Their final game is against hosts Thailand on December 13 (7.30pm) with all the matches being played in Buriram.

Theuma, who is assisted by Charlene Zammit in the role of assistant coach and goalkeepers coach Michelle Zahra, has selected a squad of 20 players for the Thailand tournament.

 “It’s going to be a unique experience for me and the rest of the team as we will be playing against teams outside Europe,” Theuma told www.mfa.com.mt.

 “We are facing teams with completely different playing styles and it will be interesting to gauge our level with theirs.”

BUILD-UP FOR 2019 COMMITMENTS

This tournament should also aid Theuma’s preparations for two important commitments next year – the annual UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament and the 2020 UEFA U-17 European qualifiers, to be played in Belarus.

“Our target for this tournament is to produce positive performances in order to enhance our competitive edge while consolidating the work we have done so far.

“We have two important tournaments coming up next year and we are starting our preparations as early as possible.”

Pierre Brincat, the Director of Women’s Football within the Malta FA, welcomed UEFA’s invitation for the Malta U-15 girls team to take part in this tournament.

 “This invitation is a testament to our efforts and commitment towards raising the level of women’s football in Malta,” Brincat said.

“The parents of the young players in our squad have been very supportive and we are looking forward to this experience in Thailand.”

MALTA U-15 SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Maya Cachia (Mosta), Justyne Caruana (Luxol Raiders).

DEFENDERS
Alexandra Gatt (Mġarr United), Laura Chetcuti Dimech (Luxol Raiders), Martina Fenech (Mosta), Izabella Camilleri (Gozo), Naomi Blundell (Luxol Raiders), Mariah Cardona (Birkirkara), Rhea Borg (Mosta).

MIDFIELDERS
Kaycee Micallef (Birkirkara), Hannah Khatib (Hibernians), Martina Cortis (Mosta), Maya Lucia (Luxol Raiders)), Haley Bugeja (Mġarr United), Elena Sissons (Hibernians), Rebecca Laferla (Mġarr United), Georgiana Mifsud (Gozo).

FORWARDS
Thea Borg (Gozo), Kailey Willis (Birkirkara), Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara)