It’s time to make history. The red-white-red women’s national soccer team has the chance to jump on the World Cup train for the first time. This can only be done step by step. First of all, today (8.35 p.m., ORF 1) in Glasgow they need a win over Scotland to reach the play-off final with home advantage (in St. Pölten) against Ireland.
In this first final, the paper form speaks for the Austrians, who, as 20th in the FIFA world rankings, are three positions above the “Bravehearts”. The latter were only spectators at the EURO in England, while the ÖFB selection courageously stormed into the quarter-finals.
So it sounds like a solvable task that is tackled with a healthy dose of self-confidence. The miserable record in the three direct duels with Scotland does not change that. Three defeats with an overall goal difference of 2:10 don’t exactly brighten the mood in gloomy Glasgow, but that doesn’t bother Irene Fuhrmann. On the contrary. “I like this challenge, it’s good for me,” emphasized the 42-year-old ÖFB team boss. “It’s a historic opportunity for Austrian football as a whole to be part of a World Cup again. We want to take advantage of it,” said the Viennese.
For the sake of completeness: The ÖFB men have been waiting for a final round ticket for world title fights for 24 years now, France 1998 under the direction of coach Herbert Prohaska was the last scent mark at this level to date.
For the women, it’s about a trip to Australia and New Zealand, the host countries of the 2023 World Cup. “For one or the other player, it may also be the last chance to experience a World Cup. That’s why I’m convinced that they have everything be given,” explained Fuhrmann.
The tournament after next will take place in 2027. It is questionable whether captain Carina Wenninger (31), Sarah Zadrazil (29), Sarah Puntigam (29) or Verena Hanshaw (28) will still be on board.
“This is our home”
But the same applies to some of the protagonists in the Scottish selection. For example for Jen Beattie (31), who has already played 141 international matches. The defender kicks at club level for WFC Arsenal and is therefore a colleague of the ÖFB team players Manuela Zinsberger and Laura Wienroither, who become opponents today. The two do not expect gifts. “We have to go to the World Cup – absolutely. It’s a huge incentive to be able to compete at Hampden Park. It’s our home, it’s where we feel best,” said Beattie.
Source: Nachrichten
