The team of team manager Irene Fuhrmann drew 1:1 with Iceland on Friday in the Innviertel Arena in Ried and is thus still in second place in Group A4 at the halfway point of the qualification round, only having scored one more goal than its rivals, who have the same number of points. The “return match” will take place in Reykjavik on Tuesday (9.30 p.m.).
3,788 spectators in Ried
In front of 3,788 spectators, ÖFB captain Sarah Puntigam gave the team the lead with a converted penalty (26th minute). The 31-year-old Styrian, who is the team’s record player with 145 appearances, scored for the 21st time in the ÖFB jersey and for the second time in the current qualification. However, due to a very controversial penalty, the second ÖFB victory in the second competitive duel with Iceland after the 3-0 win at the 2017 European Championship in the Netherlands was not achieved. Glodis Viggosdottir (76th minute) also scored safely from the penalty spot after Marina Georgieva had previously been shot in the elbow with her arm folded.
As expected, Fuhrmann avoided any personnel surprises. Sarah Zadrazil returned to midfield after her injury break against Poland and pushed Celina Degen onto the bench, otherwise there were no changes compared to the 3:1 in Gdynia. After Nicole Billa was honored for her 100th appearance in Poland by ÖFB President Klaus Mitterdorfer and ÖFB Sports Director Peter Schöttel, the hosts immediately provided a highlight. Lilli Purtscheller’s overhead kick was close (6th minute), as was Marie-Therese Höbinger’s well-placed shot (22nd minute).
Iceland became dangerous for the first time immediately afterwards through Dilja Yr Zomers, but she did not hit the ball properly (23′). On the other side, Purtscheller was only stopped by Alexandra Johannsdottir with a foul during a speed dribble in the penalty area and Puntigam confidently converted the penalty. The legionnaire from Houston Dash almost managed a brace, rolling the ball from a good position on goal after a nice combination via Eileen Campbell and Höbinger (34′).
Defense with problems
A 2-0 would not have been a fair result, a 1-1 would have been more appropriate. The ÖFB defense faltered a few times and also had the necessary luck. Sandra Jessen (29th), who served perfectly with a long ball, and the lightning-fast Sveindis Jonsdottir (38th) and Hildur Antonsdottir (43rd) missed great chances.
After the restart, Barbara Dunst headed the ball over (53′), otherwise the Icelanders gained a clear advantage and were repeatedly dangerous, sometimes only in the beginning. Like Zomers (73′). A short time later, referee Lina Lehtovaara took the center stage and the Icelanders gratefully accepted the “gift”. In injury time, Manuela Zinsberger secured the ÖFB point with a brilliant save from a Kristinsdottir shot (93′). The hoped-for “giant step” by Austria towards a place in the European Championships thus came to nothing for the time being. It remains a stalemate with a very slight ÖFB advantage.
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Source: Nachrichten
