Image: GEPA pictures
At the end of the year, Austria’s U21 national soccer team had to be content with a goalless draw in the friendly international match against North Macedonia. Four days after the sensational 2-0 win over France in the European Championship qualifiers, coach Werner Gregoritsch’s team did not allow their opponents a single compelling opportunity in front of almost 600 spectators in the Rieder Innviertel Arena, but Werkl was not able to go on the offensive around.
The efficiency was lacking. In the finish, guest goalkeeper Stefan Mitrev saved from a half-volley “joker” Romeo Vucic (77th) and a long shot from Matthias Braunöder (90th) in extremis. After the Christmas break, the European Championship elimination continues with a home game against Cyprus on March 26th.
“We had a number of chances to win the match against North Macedonia. The goals were missing. Too bad it did not work”said Captain Braunöder: “Overall we did pretty well. Everyone saw what we wanted.”
The bottom line is that there are four wins, four draws and two defeats in ten international matches this calendar year. “Except for the October training (1:2 against Norway, 0:1 in Slovenia, note) it was a very successful year for the U21 team. We want to build on this and achieve our big goal”said Gregoritsch. The declared goal is to take part in the finals. There are two points to catch up on.
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