The goals of the ÖFB talents in front of 1,015 spectators scored captain Romano Schmid (11th) and Junior Adamu (48th). In the table, the Austrians with 16 points from nine games are now three points behind leaders Croatia (19 points from 8 games), who were surprisingly defeated by Finland (13/7) at home. Third is Norway (15/7), who are ahead in the race for second place in a head-to-head match with Austria thanks to a 3-1 home win.
Accordingly, Schmid and Co. mourned another goal with a view to a possible head-to-head duel for second place. “Everyone knows we should have led by two goals and won. So that’s actually a disappointing result, even if the performance was right,” said the U21 team captain in an ORF interview. “The fact is that we had the chance to go 3-1 or 4-1. So we can again blame ourselves for making very little out of a lot.”
Schmid meets for the early leadership
In the eleventh minute, captain Romano Schmid scored the sixth goal in the current qualification for the Austrians
Werner Gregoritsch changed his team in only one position compared to the goalless draw in Croatia. Instead of Rapid striker Bernhard Zimmermann, Salzburg’s Nicolas Seiwald, who had come down from the A-Team, moved into the team. He ensured stability in the center of midfield. But the game forward also went as desired at the beginning. After great preparatory work from Wimmer and a heel pass, Schmid completed a dream start for the home side with a shot into the near corner from around eleven meters. For the captain it was the sixth goal in the current qualification.
Latte and bad luck prevent the third ÖFB hit
Otherwise, however, there was little to see on either side. The Norwegians only became dangerous once and were highly efficient there. Noah Holm passed David Affengruber on the side and completed from a tight angle into the far corner (42nd). Even after the restart, the Gregoritsch squad showed starter qualities again. Felix Strauss, who was substituted at the break, flew past a Wimmer corner, but Adamu poked the ball over the line after several touches. Martin Moormann could have done better, but was unlucky when he shot into the crossbar (52′). That didn’t take revenge, as Strauss just blocked an Oppegaard shot (87′). Otherwise, the home side were closer to another goal, Schmid (56th, 70th) and Wimmer (81st / free kick) failed to finally ensure clear conditions.
Holm hits to equalize
Shortly before the break, Noah Holm scored to equalize for the Norwegians.
“We were the better team throughout the game and had a clear chance on our side,” summed up Wimmer. The many failures were not significant. “That’s why I’m particularly satisfied with the performance,” said ÖFB team boss Werner Gregoritsch in an ORF interview. Austria will meet the Finns at home on June 3rd. They also have the duels with Azerbaijan and Norway ahead of them. The Norwegians also play against Croatia and Azerbaijan and both have home advantage. So a lot of support is needed for Austria to make the leap to the 2023 finals in Romania and Georgia. In the event of a tie, Norway would have priority. “That would be very bitter,” said ÖFB team boss Gregoritsch.
