With a 2:2 (0:1) against Scotland the era of Franco Foda came to an end yesterday after 1612 days. Michael Gregoritsch (75th) and Alessandro Schöpf (82nd) turned a 0:2 draw into a late draw.
As of today, the ÖFB and Austrian football are starting into a new, still uncertain future. The future of ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel, who will start the first talks in the next few days, will probably also depend on the professionalism in finding the team leader. There isn’t too much time left. Everything should be in place by April 29, the date of the next executive committee meeting.
Yesterday, the remaining 18 squad games could not give the departing team boss a win, but at least a catch-up race. Contrary to expectations, the 6600 spectators in Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium did not mean a minus record for ÖFB team games in the National Stadium. However, no honor was given to Aleksandar Dragovic, who played his 100th international match yesterday and is the second ÖFB team player after Andreas Herzog (103 games) in the three-digit range.
Goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, Stefan Ilsanker in the three-man defense as well as Valentino Lazaro, Andreas Ulmer and Sasa Kalajdzic slipped into the team in Franco Foda’s last national team starting XI compared to the Wales match. The 0:1 deficit was unfortunate, but also avoidable. After a corner kick, Hinteregger lost the header duel against Hanley on the second pole. His header bounced off the crossbar, but landed directly with Hendry, who headed in to make it 0-1 (28′).
Goals after changes
After the break, the 0:2 fell immediately in the first real urge period of the ÖFB team. Tierney scored directly from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 (56′). Two jokers and the switch to a 4-4-2 system were responsible for the late turn. Michael Gregoritsch headed in a minute after being substituted on after a cross from Ulmer to make it 1:2 (75′). Alessandro Schöpf’s long-range shot from the penalty area to make it 2-2 could only be overlooked by Scotland’s keeper Gordon (82′). “We wanted to give the coach a farewell win,” said Aleksandar Dragovic. “He took a lot of criticism for performances that we players were responsible for.”
From now on the new beginning begins – hopefully under the right conditions. (haha)
Source: Nachrichten
