Malta friendly update!

Todays friendly against Malta is just starting with the following lineup to start:

1 Alexander Manninger (G)
3 Martin Stranzl (D)
4 Emanuel Pogatetz (D)
14 Gyorgy Garics (D)
12 Ronald Gercaliu (D)
10 Andreas Ivanschitz (M)
6 Rene Aufhauser (M)
30 Umit Korkmaz (M)
8 Christoph Leitgeb (M)
9 Roland Linz (F)
22 Erwin Hoffer (F)

I will be updating on a regular basis throughout the match so please check back.

Update 1:
After playing the 3-5-2 against Nigeria in the first half, Austria is employing a 4-4-2.

Update 2:
Ivica Vastic is expected to play the second half along with Matin Harnik. Andreas Ivanschitz will only play the second-half

Update 3
8 minute mark. Off a Andreas Ivanschitz corner, Rene Aufhauser heads it in. GOAAAAAL Austria leads 1-0

Update 4
11 minute mark. Beautiful combination between Andreas Ivanschitz and The Hoff to Roland Linz free in-front to net the second goal of the match. GOAAAAAL Austria leads 2-0

Update 5
15 minute mark. An offside call takes disallows Ronald Linz’s second goal that would have made it 3-0

Update 6
25 minute mark. Ronald Linz misses a golden opportunity and strikes the ball over the net from close range. Austria continues to control the play.

Update 7
41 minute mark: bad miscue by Austrian defense as it appears to think an offside call was coming. Michael Mifsud breaks free on Alexander Manninger for Malta’s first goal. Oh didn’t they just ruin the party. Austria 2 Malta 1

Update 8
42 minute mark: Malta’s Jonathan Caruana receives a yellow for a stiff challenge on Ronald Linz. This has to stay in control as we don’t want any injuries now

Update 9 Half
Austria 2 Malta 1

Update 10
Martin Harnik in for Ümit Korkmaz after the half

Update 11
Ivica Vastic warms up and ready to enter the match at the 54th minute

Update 12
Ivica Vastic comes for Erwin Hoffer and (presumably) shifting to 4-5-1, at least temporarily

Update 13
67th minute mark: With a penalty on Brian Said, Ronald Linz steps up and strikes his second goal of the match. GOAAAAAL Austria leads 3-1

Update 14
77 minute mark. Vastic gets on the scorers sheet. GOAAAAAL Austria leads 4-1

Update 15
84th minute; Martin Hiden comes for Emanuel Pogatetz & Sebastian Prödl in for Martin Stranzl

Update 16
3 minute of added time

Update 17
Sebastian Prödl sets up Martin Harnik for the final goal GOAAAAAL Austria leads 5-1. Full-time

Great win and tune-up with a 5-1 Victory!!!