2023-09-22 19:19:13
Two different faces shown and a point won: Austria’s women’s national soccer team started Group A2 of the Nations League on Friday evening with a flattering 1-1 (0-1) draw in Oslo against Norway. The hosts, who were overwhelmingly superior before the break, took the well-deserved lead through Karina Saevik (26th). Substitute Eileen Campbell (72nd) saved the ÖFB team, which was unleashed after the break, from defeat.
The 23-year-old Altach/Vorderland striker’s second team goal in her sixth international match was a very special one. Afterwards, the Austrians had the necessary luck in front of 7,011 spectators in the Ullevaal Stadium. Both Tuva Hansen (88th) and Elisabeth Terland (90th) hit the crossbar. The Norwegians ended the game with three goals and a missed penalty. After the points have been divided, the ÖFB selection will have their home premiere against World Cup quarter-finalists France on Tuesday. More than 8,000 spectators will ensure a new ÖFB women’s record attendance.
There were no surprises in team boss Irene Fuhrmann’s line-up, but the Austrians completely slept through the initial phase. After less than two minutes, Celina Degen left her foot just inside the penalty area in a duel with the outstanding Caroline Graham Hansen. Guro Reiten placed the penalty awarded next to the goal. Sophie Haug failed three times (6th, 8th, 18th), in the latter opportunity a header landed on the crossbar. Frida Maanum was also extremely dangerous with a header (13th) and a narrow goal that was offside (21st).
The hosts, who were coached for the first time by interim team boss Leif Gunnar Smerud, were able to combine as they wished and especially the tricky and fast Hansen was – as Fuhrmann had feared in advance – almost impossible to get under control. Manuela Zinsberger was able to acrobatically fend off a shot from the Barcelona striker with her foot, but the Arsenal legionnaire was powerless against Saevik’s follow-up volley. As a result, Hansen missed the chance to make it 2-0 twice (31st, 35th).
The only positive thing from ÖFB’s point of view was that it was only 0-1 at halftime. The game was characterized by many passing errors; with the exception of two half-chances from Virginia Kirchberger (25th) and Nicole Billa (29th), nothing went forward.
At the break, Fuhrmann reacted and brought on Katharina Schiechtl instead of Kirchberger. The Austria player defended to the right, Marina Georgieva moved inside to her usual position. Barbara Dunst and Katharina Naschenweng swapped sides on the wings. This had a positive effect, the ÖFB women were like new players, suddenly played courageously forward and pushed for the equalizer. After the ball ran really well in their own ranks for the first time, captain Sarah Puntigam failed with a left-footed shot that hit the crossbar (47′). Billa shot over (49′), Naschenweng missed (52′).
After an hour, Campbell came on for Billa and added further momentum. She was able to win the 1-1 duel in her first action, but after her pass a Zadrazil shot was too weak (62′). In return, Zinsberger kept her team in the game with a save in the near corner on a Maanum shot (64′). But the equalizer was more in the air. Naschenweng failed to get the ball into the goal when he had a double shot opportunity (68′). Campbell did her job better, shining with a remarkable shot from around 20 meters straight into the corner of the cross.
With a lot of luck, the draw ended in the duel between world number 13. with the ÖFB eleven in position 16 shaking over time. There was definitely reason to celebrate for Puntigam and Co when they returned to the competitive stage after a break of almost a year. For the third time in a row there was no defeat against the World Cup round of 16.
sport/mixed/75421498.xml"/> 1695412143
#ÖFB #women #tremors #start #Nations #League #Oslo