Nicole Billa scores 3-0 / Image: APA / HANS PUNZ
Wr. Neustadt. ÖFB team boss Irene Fuhrmann had predicted a game of patience in the World Cup qualification against Luxembourg, and she was right. The number 122 in the world encircled itself around its own penalty area, so the Austrians had to run against a wall and they initially had a hard time. The last pass did not want to arrive, standards in particular caused danger. But headers from Carina Wenninger (16th), Katharina Naschenweng (31st) or Barbara Dunst (31st) did not find their way into the net.
After 39 minutes, Verena Hanshaw, who was badly knuckled after just a few minutes, had to leave. Lisa Feiersinger was not called up at all because of shoulder problems, a precautionary measure with regard to the guest performance on Tuesday in Northern Ireland (8 p.m., live ORF Sport +). For the Frankfurt legionnaire, the actual full-back Katharina Naschenweng moved up one position on the left wing.
Billa breaks the spell
The ÖFB women noticeably wanted to go into the break with a guided tour, and finally rewarded themselves for the high, but until then fruitless effort. Nicole Billa found a cross, who lobbed two opponents first, and then shot into the short corner to make it 1-0 (42.). As soon as the spell was broken, Naschenweng headed up after Dunst flank – the first international goal for the Hoffenheim legionnaire (45 + 2).
In the second half, the Austrians increased to 5-0 with a header from Billa (50th) and the newly substituted Stefanie Enzinger (66th) and Sarah Puntigam (84th / penalty). The third mandatory win to warm up for Belfast, where an offensive opponent and thus another game are waiting. Northern Ireland competes today with group favorites England.
Austria – Luxembourg 5-0 (2-0). Goals: Billa (42nd), Naschenweng (45 + 2., 50th), Enzinger (66th).
Austria: Zinsberger; Wienroither, Wenninger, Kirchberger, Hanshaw (38th Georgieva); Zadrazil (65th Eder), Höbinger (46th Plattner), Puntigam; Dunst, Billa (73rd Wienerroither), Naschenweng (64th Enzinger).
