Bright sunshine at 17 degrees welcomed Austria’s national football team at Cardiff Airport yesterday. Everything is set to host a football festival in tonight’s sold-out World Cup play-off game against Wales. No “British conditions”, but a sold-out house in which the ÖFB team has to survive. 33,000 fans have ensured that Wales has not lost a single one of their 16 home games over the past few months and years. A draw could be enough today – if the nerves last in the penalty shoot-out.
Wales’ home strength shouldn’t be a stumbling block today. Because it’s not just about Austria’s remaining chance of participating in a World Cup, it’s also about the future of Austrian football. A defeat could trigger a real tremor. First and foremost, of course, the focus is on the team boss, Franco Foda would be unstoppable in the event of a failure. His contract expires at the end of March, only if he participates in the World Cup would it be automatically extended until the World Cup. But there would probably also be a domino effect after the World Cup qualification, which has been so disappointing so far.
Foda had repeatedly conjured up the spirit of the European Championship in the past few days, when Austria had performed so well in the two key games against Ukraine (decision match for promotion) and Italy (round of 16). “Now we face a similar task,” said Foda. In any case, the fact that the players are challenged at a higher level than their opponents and perform well week after week speaks for the ÖFB selection. With the exception of Florian Grillitsch, who is suffering from Corona, Foda can use the team that was also at the European Championship. An Austrian 4-2-3-1 is to be expected against the three-man defense, as practiced by Wales.
Bachmann is the favorite in goal
Most of the questions have been answered in the list. Daniel Bachmann will almost certainly get confidence in goal. The routine and experience in British football is worth a lot, the break in matches in recent weeks shouldn’t be an obstacle. The recovered Stefan Lainer, Aleksander Dragovic and Martin Hinteregger are already set in defense. David Alaba is needed on the left side of defense – and is also set up there. The situation in midfield is a little more open. Without Grillitsch, Konrad Laimer and Xaver Schlager will probably close the gaps in the center. Schlager is fit again, Nicolas Seiwald is strong at Salzburg, but it wouldn’t really fit Foda’s thinking to start the youngster in this key game.
Before that, Christoph Baumgartner and Marcel Sabitzer are as good as fixed. Ex-Rieder Marco Grüll could get the free place next to striker Marko Arnautovic thanks to his speed. On the other hand, it would be a big surprise that Foda would bring a second giant in attack with Sasa Kalajdzic. Foda’s creed for tonight’s game: “It’s a huge chance. We’re capable of winning in Wales.” It would also be about time to finally break the opponent’s home record anyway.
The way to the World Cup
Ten of the 13 European participants in the World Cup in Qatar (November 21 to December 18, 2022) have been confirmed: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, England, France, Croatia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia and Spain. The three open tickets can be obtained via the play-offs. There are three qualifying paths with semi-finals and finals: Austria must first defeat Wales today and then the winner of the match Scotland against Ukraine in June (path A). In Group B, Poland is already in the final after the exclusion of Russia, the opponent will be Sweden or the Czech Republic. Pool C promises high tension: Portugal meets Turkey today, Italy meets North Macedonia. One thing is already certain: either the European champions (Italy) will miss the World Cup or superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads Portugal’s team. The World Cup groups will be drawn in Doha on April 1st.
Source: Nachrichten
