Zeller double defeats Malta

Alexandra Szarvas's side took the lead in the 33rd minute when Zeller, who plays in the German Bundesliga, latched on to the ball in the opposing penalty area and outwitted the home defenders with a neat shot which founds its way into the goal. Hungary went close to doubling their lead on several occasions before half-time and finally managed it in the 55th minute when Zeller scored again following a corner. Sixteen minutes later, the lead became 3-0 when a corner bounced off a Maltese defender into the goal.

Cecília Mészáros replaced Viktória Szabó for her international debut in the 83rd minute but by this time, Hungary had eased off somewhat and conceded a consolation goal for Malta in the 81st minute, one which set the final score at 3-1.

"We were absolutely in control in the first half and dominated both in defence and attack. I'm glad I could see on the pitch the elements that we'd practised in training, but there are still areas for us to improve. We were in control until the 75th minute, but I'm not satisfied with the last quarter of an hour and I've told the girls that. We're looking forward to the next match, so that we can move forward in order to achieve our goals," Szarvas commented after the match.

The two teams will face each other again in the Centenary Stadium at 14:00 CET on Tuesday.

Malta 1-3 Hungary (HT: 0-1)

Hungary: Lauren Brzykcy - Laura Kovács (Virág Nagy, 62), Beatrix Fördős, Diána Németh - Dóra Zeller, Evelin Fenyvesi (Fanni Nagy, 62), Henrietta Csiszár, Viktória Szabó (Cecília Mészáros, 83) - Emőke Pápai, Diána Csányi (Zsanett Kaján, 62), Anna Csiki (Kinga Siklér, 76).