[ad_1]
After an away win to Norway and a home loss to Romania, the Austrians won the second major “three” in Nations League Group B1. That also means leading the table because the direct duel with the Norwegians in second place speaks for Austria at the moment.
The ÖFB kickers will play their next match on Wednesday (8:45 PM, live on ORF1) against the Romanians third, who received a 4-0 rebuff from Norway on Sunday. For Austria it is a chance for revenge, because the first leg in early September in Klagenfurt was lost 3-2.
Powerful start for the Austrians
David Alaba returned to the team after a year. The Bayern star started somewhat surprisingly in Franco Foda’s 4-2-3-1 formation as a left-back, the position he had previously held in Munich. LASK winger Reinhold Ranftl was in the starting lineup for the first time in his second international game. Xaver Schlager, who was saved 2-1 against Greece on Wednesday, also had his place in Austria’s starting lineup, as expected. Michael Gregoritsch stormed the front line in Belfast.
In the duel with Northern Ireland, a finalist in the European Championship play-off, the guests were quick to get going. The hosts had only prevailed on Thursday in a thrilling play-off semifinal in Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties. Austria was more spirited and aggressive, had more play from kick-off and developed more attraction towards goal. ÖFB goalkeeper Pavao Pervan (VfL Wolfsburg) initially only saw the ball from afar.
Hinteregger and Baumgartner give great opportunities
The only drawback in the powerful game of the Austrians: clear opportunities were still lacking. A missed shot by Gregoritsch and a shove from shooting star Christoph Baumgartner down the left were the most dangerous attacks by the dominant ÖFB team in the first 20 minutes. That should change: in the 24th minute there was the first “one hundred percent” for Austria. After a free kick from Alaba, advancing defender Martin Hinteregger arrived alone in front of the header, but missed this great opportunity.
Head chance for Hinteregger (min 24)
Austria central defender leaves first seat after Alaba’s free-kick
From a short distance, the Frankfurt Legionnaire headed straight for near-shocked goalkeeper Michael McGovern, and the guests’ next supposed “assistant” was only minutes away. The also dynamic Hoffenheim legionnaire Baumgartner gave Craig Cathcart the ball, ran alone towards the Northern Ireland goal and missed at the right angle.
Once again, McGovern should have been defeated and, again, in a promising ÖFB campaign, “only” the goal was missing. And that should be repeated again in the 35th minute. This time, Baumgartner was perfectly prepared by Gregoritsch’s head, but again he was unable to get the ball from the six-yard box into the opponent’s net.
Baumgartner Awards “one hundred percent” (29 min.)
After a strong conquest of the ball, Lower Austria shoots the leather instead of the goal
Gregoritsch secures backward leadership
The fact that it was 0-0 just before the break was more than happy for the Northern Irishmen and annoying for Foda’s team. Gregoritsch brought sporting relief after Hinteregger measured the flank from five for the beaten 1-0 lead (42nd). The Augsburg striker confidently headed into the left corner for his second goal in the current Nations League. Alaba had started the action on the left for flank donor Hinteregger. Both were already part of Austrian assets by then.
Nothing came of the Northern Ireland more or less in the entire first half of the game. After switching sides, they finally showed the commitment that one is used to from their performances in recent years. But that didn’t make the home team really dangerous. With the Austrians, there was also little convergence on the offensive. The result was a rather unpleasant first quarter of an hour after the break.
Playful relapse without unpleasant consequences
It was pretty tough and focused on the duels. The Northern Irish tended to be under more pressure, but the solid defensive line with Hinteregger, Stefan Ilsanker and Aleksandar Dragovic held firm. Foda tried to emphasize replacing Christopher Trimmel with Ranftl. Then the German team boss ÖFB brought in Adrian Grbic instead of Gregoritsch for last.
Another great opportunity from Baumgartner (min 35)
The Austrian midfielder misses another great opportunity after a remarkable header relief
The Austrians’ game never got better or more inspired. You trembled and worked your way to the final whistle. In the 92nd minute it was time to collectively hold our breath again. Substitute Boyce had the equalizer for the Northern Irishmen on the foot, but luckily for the guests he fired past the left post. So in the end it was the 1-0 win for Foda’s squad, which only really convinced in the first half.
UEFA Nations League
Sunday:
Northern Ireland – Austria 0: 1 (0: 1)
Belfast, Windsor Park, 600 spectators, SR Ardeleanu (CZE)
Goal: Gregoritsch (42nd)
North Ireland: McGovern – Dallas (73./Thompson), Cathcart, J. Evans, Lewis – McLaughlin, Davis (73./C. Evans) – Whyte (83./Boyce), McNair (83./Magennis), Jones – Lafferty ( 61./Washington)
Austria: Pervan – Lainer, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Alaba – Ilsanker, Baumgartlinger – Ranftl (73./Trimmel), X. Schlager, Baumgartner – Gregoritsch (80./Grbic)
Yellow Cards: McLaughlin, Thompson and Schlager
