In the end, it was simply not enough for Austria’s national football team from the first minute of World Cup qualification to yesterday’s 2-1 (0-1) loss to Wales. The rearing up in the finish didn’t help anymore. And that’s why it’s only logical that coach Franco Foda’s team will only watch the finals in Qatar in 2022 in front of the TV.
Perhaps David Alaba & Co will also experience Gareth Bale in top form. Two strokes of genius from the Welsh number 11 were enough yesterday to defeat the ÖFB selection single-handedly. A selection that was not able to use the space in the first half, did not act quickly enough and only turned up after the break when it was almost too late.
The party at Cardiff City Stadium had already started before kick-off. The mood, heated up with disco music. With goose bumps when the national anthem was sung without music. And with a home advantage that made a by no means better opponent outgrow themselves.
bar there and goal there
The first big difference: Austria’s first top chance landed on the crossbar, that of the opponent in the goal. After five minutes, Marcel Sabitzer had the right eye for the pass into free space. Christoph Baumgartner’s shot alone in front of Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey was deflected very slightly – and that’s probably why he didn’t go into the goal.
Baumgartner was also the center of attention before the 0:1. Then Marcel Sabitzer scolded his teammate after he had gone into a duel a little too impetuously against Harry Wilson. The 33,000 spectators in the stadium were already on their feet when Gareth Bale went to the ball. When shot in the Kreuzeck ÖFB keeper Heinz Lindner had no chance (25th). The goalkeeper from Upper Austria, surprisingly called up by team manager Franco Foda, then kept the ÖFB selection in the game several times with his saves. Especially when Aaron Ramsey appeared alone in front of him after a blunder by Nicolas Seiwald – and Lindner cleared the ball with his fingertips for a corner (41′).
Unfortunately, Austria’s team also completely slept through the second half at the beginning. The allocation was completely missing before the 0:2. Wales took advantage of the two-on-one situation at the corner kick, at the end of the combination Bale finished with a wonderful shot from five into the far post (51′). That was world class.
The fact that there was still hope until the end was also due to luck. Marcel Sabitzer’s shot in the 65th minute was deflected – and went over goalkeeper Hennessey into the net. Austria pressed, the hosts had better chances with James (67th, 71st) on the counterattack.
Stöger favorite in team manager question
A third goal was no longer necessary, which is why the World Cup will be discussed in Wales today and a change of team manager in Austria. Franco Foda’s days are probably numbered. If Peter Stöger were to succeed him, it would not be a big sensation.
Wales 2-1 Austria (1-0)
Cardiff, Goals: Bale (25′, 51′) and B. Davies (65’/own goal)
Italy 0-1 North Macedonia (0-0)
Palermo, Goal: Trajkovski (92′)
Portugal 3-1 Turkey (2-0)
Porto, Goals: Otavio (15′), Jota (42′), Nunes (94′) and B. Yilmaz (65′). Note: Yilmaz missed a penalty (85.)
Sweden – Czech Republic went into extra time when the score was 0-0
Final games for one World Cup starting place each:
Wales – winners Scotland/Ukraine (match in June)
Portugal – North Macedonia (Tuesday 29 March)
Poland v Sweden/Czech Republic (Tuesday 29 March)
Source: Nachrichten
