The Malta Under-21 side lost 1-3 to Austria in a friendly match at the Hibernians Stadium on Wednesday. This game was part of the team’s preparation ahead of the forthcoming UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifiers.
Malta managed to take the lead after just five minutes thanks to Jean Paul Farrugia, served by Bjorn Kristensen, who advanced before hitting past goalkeeper Christophe Riegler.
Austria levelled matters on 26 minutes thanks to a freekick by Marcel Ritzmaier which was deflected by a defender past goalkeeper Yenz Cini.
Ten minutes in the second half, the vistors were reduced to ten men after having Marco Djuricin sent off after hitting Zach Muscat.
However two minutes later, captain Raphael Holzhauser put Austria ahead with a direct freekick which gave Cini no chance.
Deep into stoppage time, Austria were awarded a penalty after Matthew Tabone brought Starkl down inside the area. From the penalty spot, Raphael Holzhauser beat Jean Matthias Vella to make it 3-1.
Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com
[nggallery id=457]
MALTA Yenz Cini (62′ Jean Matthias Vella), Matthew Tabone, Brooke Farrugia (55′ Johann Bezzina), Zach Muscat (58′ Christian Grech), Bjorn Kristensen (77′ Daren Falzon), Steve Pisani (81′ Lydon Micallef), Sacha Borg (84′ Brandon Muscat), Ayrton Azzopardi (46′ Ryan Sammut), Clyde Borg, Ryan Scicluna, Jean Paul Farrugia.
AUSTRIA Chrisophe Riegler, Tobias Kainz, Raphael Holzhauser (93′ Simon Piesinger), Marco Djuricin, Daniel Offenbacher (46′ Robert Zulj), Christian Schilling (77′ Kevin Wimmer), Matthias Maak (46′ Lukas Spendlhofer), Florian Kainz, Martin Hinteregger, Patrick Farkas (59′ Marcel Ziegl), Marcel Ritzmaier (46′ Srdan Spiridonovic)(86′ Dominik Starkl).
Referee: Arnold Hunter (NIR)
Assistant Referees: Richard Storey, Ken Ross (NIR)
Fourth Official: Kevin Azzopardi