Austria’s U21 national soccer team achieved a 1-1 draw against Denmark in a friendly match in Ried on Friday. The focus was on Yusuf Demir – initially the ex-Rapidler, who was substituted after the break, gave the ÖFB team the lead with a magnificent free kick (67th).
Then he conceded a penalty, which Oliver Sörensen converted to equalize (70′). For the Austrians it was the dress rehearsal for the European Championship qualifying match on Tuesday again in Ried against Cyprus. Ried in the Innkreis. In front of 1050 spectators on the 66th birthday of their team boss Werner Gregoritsch, the ÖFB footballers had the better chances in the first half. Headers from Nicolas Sattlberger (10th) and Bernhard Zimmermann (19th) just missed the target.
At the break, the Danes, leaders in their European Championship qualifying group, substituted a few regulars. For example, William Böving came for his Sturm Graz colleague Mika Biereth. Böving also missed the Danes’ first great chance, failing to hit the goal from a few meters in the 58th minute. Just seconds later, a shot from Oliver Nielsen from the five-pointer hit the crossbar.
When the visitors’ lead seemed to become apparent, Austria struck. After a foul on Zimmermann, Demir sank the free kick from just outside the box into the top corner of the goalkeeper’s corner. Less than two minutes later, however, the former A team player, who only gets a short playing time at FC Basel, attacked too impetuously in his own penalty area. The result was a penalty that was confidently used by Sörensen.
In the final phase both teams played for the winning goal, but there were no real compelling chances.
