Austria’s national women’s soccer team has cleared an important hurdle on its way to participating in a World Cup for the first time. After the 8-0 thrashing of Latvia in Wiener Neustadt on Tuesday in the eighth qualifying game, the ÖFB selection is in second place and thus participation in the play-offs in autumn is certain.
“We’ve done our job, we’re in the playoffs, that’s historic,” says ÖFB team boss Irene Fuhrmann. Now the focus is on the EM. After the 3-1 win against Northern Ireland on Friday, captain Viktoria Schnaderbeck and Co. could only theoretically take second place.
England provides support
Now, as in Liepaja (8-1), they performed the mandatory task with flying colors and also benefited from the 5-0 win of the flawless leaders England against Northern Ireland, third in Group D, six points behind Austria. “Relief is there, but it was clear to me from the start that we would make it because we have a great team. It was a successful course all round, everyone is happy with how the week went,” said Sarah Zadrazil.
Corona problems in the run-up and short-term failures for the duel with Latvia – including that of top scorer Nicole Billa – did not allow the ÖFB squad to be negatively influenced. “There’s no question that the squad has grown. You can see that from the fact that today we simply had great options and weapons on the bench and in the second half we went more dynamically and purposefully towards the opposing goal,” analyzes Fuhrmann. With those of Maria Plattner (2), Katharina Naschenweng and Lisa Makas, four goals were scored by substitute players.
Fuhrmann is also happy about six different goal scorers. 29-year-old Sarah Puntigam also scored twice in her 118th international match. “It’s always nice when you win and score goals,” says the France legionnaire. She has been an integral part of the ÖFB team for years. The pressure of the youth on the veterans is increasing in all positions. Three 20-year-olds started against Latvia in Lisa Kolb, Marie-Therese Höbinger and Celina Degen.
Schnaderbeck happy about the competition
“The boys are hot, have developed really well, we’re happy that there’s so much to come,” says Schnaderbeck. She made her comeback in the finish for a little over 20 minutes after surviving the corona infection (with symptoms). “The infection actually set me back a bit. It was all the more important that I passed all the health checks and was able to play. That was also a great finish for me personally,” said the Tottenham defender.
Degen scored the first goal in his debut as a starting XI, and that almost with an announcement, as Fuhrmann had called for the goal due to the Hoffenheim player’s header strength. “I couldn’t have imagined it any better, it was an indescribable feeling,” says Degen. Not only that, but also the result including play-off fixation bring a good feeling. “The fact that we have the chance to play in the next tournament right after the European Championships will give us even more encouragement,” the Styrian is certain.
IN im Fokus
The World Cup qualification is no longer of great importance for the time being, from Wednesday the whole view is directed towards the July European Championship. However, there is still some time until the three preparatory courses in June. Above all, Fuhrmann hopes that the injured defender Virginia Kirchberger as well as substitute goalkeeper Jasmin Pal and striker Stefanie Enzinger will get fit in time.
“All forces are bundled there to support these players as best as possible on the way back,” explains the ÖFB team boss. After the meniscus operation on Tuesday, Enzinger looks good that she can start training again in four to five weeks. The fit players have the league finish ahead of them in the next few weeks. After that, before the trip to the team, it’s time to go on vacation.
The anticipation of the second European Championship finals after the 2017 semi-finals is already enormous. “As far as I’m concerned, it could start tomorrow,” emphasizes Zadrazil. From a sporting point of view, that would also be a good fit, as the last five internationals, four of them this year, were won. “We’ve shown what we’re made of, but the European Championship will still be a different game.”