European Championship qualification: ÖFB women fight for success against Serbia

Irene Fuhrmann’s selection was very lucky at the Cashpoint Arena, especially in the first half, and took advantage of one of the few options when there was more pressure at the goal. This ended the 100th international match for Carina Wenninger, who was called up as captain, with flattering success. The head of defense is only the third ÖFB player alongside Nina Burger (109) and Sarah Puntigam (105) in the national team’s 100 club.

For Austria it was the sixth victory in the eighth game, only against France (0-0 and 0-3) had to give up points. In the ranking of the best runners-up, you were initially in second place. However, there was still the possibility that teams in groups B, E and H could go through the night or in complementary games that had not yet been scheduled. If that’s not enough, there is a chance to get an EM play-off ticket in spring 2021.

The hostesses start out cautiously

The Austrians did not get into the game well and had big problems on the left side of the defense over and over again in the first half. The Spanish legionary Allegra Poljak caused great problems for Sarah Puntigam and company. The Tenerife offensive player failed in the fourth minute after a beautiful action on pole, and goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger had to show all her skills on two occasions (35th, 38th). The one from Lower Austria was also able to stand out on a long shot from Blagojevic (24th).

Little was seen of ÖFB’s selection on offense. Although he attacked early, he only had a few ball wins, also because the ball went well with the technically savvy Serbs. On the only big chance in the first half Laura Wienroither missed Serbian goalkeeper Milica Kostic (15th), a conclusion by Barbara Dunst significantly missing the goal (23rd).

The printing phase is rewarded

Fuhrmann responded with a double exchange during the break and tried to give new impulses when facing Laura Feiersinger and Katharina Naschenweng. But they stayed away for a long time. The Serbs were closer to one goal at the moment, Wenninger barely clearing a cross from Poljak (63.).

Only in the end did the pressure from the Austrians increase. As a reward, he followed the only success of the game. Zadrazil fought for the ball under pressure and served Billa, who, as always in the German Bundesliga, demonstrated her goalscoring qualities. So you won against Serbia with the same strength as in the first leg on October 8, 2019 in Nis. Back then, too, Billa was the winning scorer.

Voices for the game

Irene Fuhrmann (ÖFB team boss): “It was the expected difficult match, especially considering that we had the France match under our feet. You could see that Serbia has very good players. It was definitely not our best game, but you have to win a game like this first. We have all three points on our account. That’s what matters. “

“We didn’t have access in the first half, we couldn’t control Poljak. At halftime we change to four behind and then we feel more access. So it was the right decision. Now it is no longer in our hands. “

Nicole Billa (ÖFB scorer): “The goal was important for us to qualify, I am very happy to have seized the opportunity and to have won 1-0. All three points were important. In general, however, I was not concerned with how others played or had to play. “

Carina Wenninger (ÖFB captain): “The Serbs are a strong team, they were already really good in Serbia and they did it wisely against our pressure today. Our crew chief then changed at halftime, and from then on we had more access. Now, of course, I am happier that I was able to score the winning goal so late. “

Qualification for the Women’s European Championship, Group G

Tuesday:

Austria – Serbia 1: 0 (0: 0)

Altach, Cashpoint Arena, SR Tess Olofsson (SWE)

Goal: Billa (79th)

Austria: Zinsberger – Wenninger, Kirchberger, Puntigam – Wienroither, Zadrazil, Eder (46./Naschenweng), Aschauer – Dunst (76./Makas), Billa (87./Pinther), Enzinger (46./Feiersinger)

Yellow cards Austria: Wenninger, Wienroither