The national team must win in the World Cup qualification against Luxembourg without captain Schnaderbeck.
Nicole Billa (left) and Co. are aiming for the next success
Third game, third mandatory victory: Austria's national women's soccer team knows that on Friday (6 p.m.) in Wiener Neustadt against Luxembourg, only three points will count in the World Cup qualification. After the sovereign Group D performances in Latvia (8: 1) and North Macedonia (6: 0), top striker Nicole Billa and Co. do not want to show any nakedness again. “Luxembourg is a similar opponent to the previous ones, they have to be beaten,” said ÖFB team boss Irene Fuhrmann.
Even if a significantly higher hurdle awaits four days later with the guest appearance in Northern Ireland, the focus of the ÖFB troop is initially only on the Luxembourgers. “There, too, it is important to me that we start with the strongest team because I think it's important to find the rhythm of the game in the team again,” said Fuhrmann. The number 122 in the world last went down in the 0:10 against England, after they had not previously scored in the 0: 4 against Northern Ireland.
Goalkeeper Zinsberger and team boss Fuhrmann want to cheer together again
Austria, on the other hand, is gaining momentum and wants to further improve self-confidence. “In retrospect it looks so easy that we won 8: 1 and 6: 0, but I would like to emphasize that these results were not to be expected and should not be taken for granted,” emphasized the 41-year-old. You therefore do not go into the next game with the requirement to shoot the opponent away in double digits. “It won't work that way.”
Rhythm of the game
But everyone is counting on a victory. “It is good as it is that we have Luxembourg to play in and can find the rhythm there again,” said Fuhrmann. The game will by no means be taken lightly. “I know that the players are so experienced that they will not underestimate Luxembourg.” Captain Viktoria Schnaderbeck, who has to postpone her targeted team comeback due to a muscle injury, is still not available.
Before the game, ÖFB goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger is presented with the trophy for the award for footballer of the year 2020. The 26-year-old will receive a present on Tuesday a few days after her birthday. Hopefully in front of a handsome backdrop. “From a sporting point of view, we can only deliver results that we have recently succeeded in,” said Fuhrmann on the audience issue. Tickets are available for 10 euros, reduced prices only cost half. Children up to six years pay only one euro.
