Makas hits treble as Austria rout Malta

Lisa Makas scored a hat-trick as Austria hammered Malta 6-0 in a World Cup Group Five qualifier in Ottensheim on Wednesday.

Pierre Brincat's girls, who are still in search of their first point in the group, found the going tough from the outset as Austria went 2-0 up inside the opening 10 minutes.

Makas put the hosts ahead after three minutes before Marion Grobner made it 2-0. The Austrians had to wait until the 53rd minute to increase their lead through Makas and Marlies Hanschitz made it 4-0 on 59 minutes.

Makas completed her hat-trick in the 68th minute while Grobner hit goal no.6 in stoppage time as the hosts gained only their second win in the group.

Malta, who suffered a 6-0 home defeat to England last month, will end their group commitments with another tough match against joint-group leaders Spain in Segovia on June 24.