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Austria’s national soccer team celebrated a well-deserved away win against Northern Ireland on Wednesday. The ÖFB team won 1-0 in front of 600 spectators at Windsor Park in Belfast thanks to a goal from Michael Gregoritsch (42nd) and thus secured the first place in their Nations League group. The Norwegians with equal points have the best goal difference, but lost the direct duel.
Team boss Franco Foda made six changes compared to a 2-1 win against Greece on Wednesday. Gregoritsch, Stefan Lainer, Christoph Baumgartner, Xaver Schlager, Reinhold Ranftl and David Alaba joined the starting lineup, the latter as a left defender in a 4-2-3-1 system.
The Austrians took the initiative from the beginning, but initially they did not have great opportunities. Lainer (5th) and Stefan Ilsanker (10th) produced harmless headers, a shot from Gregoritsch clearly missed the target (15th) and a missed volley from Baumgartner did not end Gregoritsch, but Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern (19.) .
Hinteregger completely head free
Then, however, a series of first-class bullet opportunities for the guests followed. Martin Hinteregger came after Alaba’s free kick from about twenty feet completely free to the header, but he maneuvered the synthetic leather exactly in McGovern’s arms (24th).
Four minutes later, after a serious error by Craig Cathcart, Baumgartner headed for the goal and his shot went wide of the far post. In the 35th minute, the Hoffenheim legionnaire again missed a seat when he fired over the crossbar from close range after Gregoritsch laid his head down.
So the ÖFB kickers had to wait until the 42nd minute for redemptive leadership. Hinteregger hit a cross down the middle and Gregoritsch hit with a header.
After the change of sides, the Austrians appeared much less dominant, but the Northern Irish were unable to capitalize on various negligence of the guests. A Jonny Evans header exactly on the otherwise unemployed ÖFB goalkeeper Pavao Pervan was for a long time the biggest sensation for the home side, which reached the final of the European Championship play-off on Thursday with a victory on penalties against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Alaba and company did not develop a convincing opportunity in the second half and acted much less convincingly against the serious opponent than in the first half. He almost got revenge in the 92nd minute, when a shot from Liam Boyce missed his target. In the end, however, it was the ÖFB’s fourth consecutive victory over Northern Ireland.
The ÖFB team will continue on Wednesday in Ploiesti against Romania. In November the Nations League will end with home games against Norway and Northern Ireland, before that there will be a friendly in Luxembourg. (apa)
