Because Ireland had previously won 1-0 in Slovakia, the chance for Austria’s women’s national team to finish third in their group and avoid a play-off round was gone.
But that didn’t change anything about the professional attitude, it was supposed to be a rifle festival in front of 1750 fans in Wiener Neustadt despite the lack of marksmen’s help. Irene Fuhrmann’s exceptionally enthusiastic team celebrated a 10-0 (4-0) thrashing of the rather overwhelmed North Macedonia team, the goals fell like ripe fruit.
Hoffenheim legionnaire Nicole Billa (7th, 34th/penalty, 66th) scored her international goals 45, 46 and 47 – this means that the 26-year-old Tyrolean is only six goals away from the ÖFB record of Nina Burger (53).
Also Sarah Zadrazil (28th), Neo-Captain Carina Wenninger (43rd), Barbara Dunst (47th), Marie-Therese Höbinger (50th), who came on after the break (50th), Laura Feiersinger (61st, 78th / it was the 400th ÖFB goal in history) and Katharina Naschenweng (71st) took part in this best shooting, which came pretty close to the record triumphs (twice 11-0 against Armenia in 2003).
“We make it”
“We can be satisfied, but we could have scored one or two more goals,” said striker Billa: “I’m happy that the journey continues.” First of all with the play-off draw on Friday (1.30 p.m.) . Austria will be drawn against an opponent from the quintet Belgium, Portugal, Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Scotland.
Should that first knockout duel be successful on October 6 (home or away), a second would follow against one of the top three runners-up (Switzerland, Iceland, Ireland) on October 11 (home or away). .
The two best of the three winning teams will then buy tickets for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, while the worst-placed teams still have to complete an intercontinental play-off from February 18th to 23rd. ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel is optimistic. “The opponents will be at our level, so it’s definitely possible to qualify for the World Cup.”
That’s how Barbara Dunst sees it: “We can do it.” Maybe in a larger stadium. The ÖFB is considering leaving Wiener Neustadt.
Source: Nachrichten
