The women’s national team lost 0-2 to Austria in another match from Group 5 of the qualifying round of the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday.
After suffering heavy defeats to Spain and England, the locals did much better against the Austrians to lose by just two goals.
Nina Aigner put the visitors ahead on 11 minutes. The locals hit back with attempts by Emma Xuereb and Rebecca D’Agostino.
Three minutes in the second half, Aigner doubled the score. They continued to hold the initiative but the Maltese defended well to stop Austria from increasing the lead.
The next game for Malta will be against Turkey on March 27.
Malta Michelle Zahra, Kim Parnis, Rebecca D’Agostino, Dorianne Theuma, Ylenia Carabott, Rachael Cuschieri (87′ Corissa Vella White), Rebecca Chircop, Catherine Camilleri, Mandy Debono, Charlene Zammit, Emma Xuereb (57′ Kathleen Saliba).
Austria Jasmin Pfeiler, Susanna Koch, Susanna Höller, Carina Wenninger (87′ Kneisz), Sonja Spieler, Marlies Hanschitz, Sarah Puntigam (46′ Isabella Grössinger), Nadine Prohaska, Isabella Berger, Kathrin Entner, Nina Aigner (79′ Mariella Rappold).
Referee: Paula Thoern (SWE)
Assistant referees: Susanne Borg and Asa Olsson
Fourth official: Esther Azzopardi