The Malta National team led by Zeljko Anicic lost their first international friendly match 8-2 against Austria.

It was no easy match for the Maltese boys, ranked 126th against the Austrian team who are found in 79th place.

The first half was all for Austria who scored four times without reply through Sinan Bicer, Vahid Muhamerovic, Andrei Vukovic, and Marco Meitz until Malta reduced the arrears through Maicon.

Before the interval, Alec Flogel scored Austria’s fifth goal. 

Photo courtesy of Joe Borg

In the second half, the Maltese were better as they defended boldly and tried to operate on the counter. Despite all this, Flogel scored his personal brace with Andre Cachia pulling another one for the Maltese. 

Mathias Binder and Andrej Vukovic completed the score for the Austrians to make the final score 8-2. 

Malta plays their second international friendly match against Austria on Wednesday, kick-off at 8pm at the NSS Pavillion.

Malta: Clint Mifsud, Steven Camilleri, Matthew Attard, Maicon, Luke Gatt, Karl Sciortino, Dale Valletta, Andre Cachia, Andre Ciancio, Ryan Muscat, Karl Luke Schembri, Cleaven Portelli,  Jean Noel Azzopardi, Mathias Borg.

Austria: Dominik Hemmelmayer, Marco Meitz, Matthias Binder, Sinan Bicer, Vahid Muhamerovic, Marko Mrsic, Arthur Vozenilek, David Rajkovic, Gustavo Steinwandter, Alec Floger, Mathias Sadilek, Manuel Leeb, Andrej Vukovic, Fatlum Kreka.

Referees: Jude Amin Utulu, Clint Cassar, Danilo Francalanza, Antonio Cassar.