FIFA World Cup: with whom the Russian national team can play in the joints – representation of Austria
On November 26, at 19:00 Moscow time, the draw for the play-off matches of the 2022 World Cup European qualifying tournament will take place in Zurich. There, Russia will recognize an opponent in the semifinals and a pair, with the winner of which, if successful, will meet in the final. Austria is one of five unseeded teams that we can get. We have already told you what you need to know about the national teams of Turkey, Poland and North Macedonia (there is still a story about the Czech Republic ahead), and now we will introduce a participant in the Euro 2020 playoffs.
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How we played in the selection for the 2022 World Cup
If you recall the result of the Austrian national team at Euro 2020, where Franco Foda’s team beat Ukraine and North Macedonia in the group stage, and beat Italy terribly in the 1/8 finals, then the performance of the Austrians in the qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup can be called unexpectedly weak. They took only fourth place in the group with Denmark, Scotland, Israel, the Faroe Islands and Moldova.
Austria started with an away draw in Scotland (2: 2), then beat the Faroe Islands in two home games (4: 1) and suffered a crushing defeat to Denmark (0: 4). This was before Euro 2020. After the European Championship, the Austrians took only three points in three September games: they won in Moldova (2: 0), but lost at a visit to Israel (2: 5) and at home in Scotland (0: 1). Side by side, Foda’s team won the Faroes (2: 0) and lost in Denmark (0: 1). And only the November matches were really successful for Austria, which scored a goal in its field against Israel (4: 2) and Moldova (4: 1).
The Austrians would not have had any continuation of the qualification for the 2022 World Cup if it were not for the innovation in the regulations. Recall, along with the second teams, groups of groups, the two best teams in terms of performances in the League of Nations. Austria turned out to be one of them.
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Leaders
The main star of the Austrian national team is, of course, Real Madrid defender David Alaba, who, according to Transfermarkt, is valued at € 55 million. The station wagon usually covers the left flank of the defense, but can come out in the center and in the middle line. Perhaps, Alaba is not always as good in the national team as in the club, nevertheless, he is a top-level player.
There are other players of a very high class in the Austrian national team. First of all, midfielder Marcel Zabitzer, who moved from RB Leipzig to Bayern in the summer for € 15 million. He was a very big figure for Julian Nagelsmann, playing for the Bulls, so he followed the coach to Bayern.
Of course, one cannot but recall the “Bad Boy” of Austrian football – Marko Arnautovic. In the summer, the striker returned from China, signing a contract with Bologna. Already scored six goals in 13 appearances for the Italian team, and in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, Arnautovic became the highest scoring player for the Austrian national team, gaining 5 + 2 in five games.
There are also midfielders Konrad Laimer from RB Leipzig and Christoph Baumgartner from Hoffenheim. In the center of the defense there are a couple of experienced defenders Martin X interestgger – Aleksandar Dragovic. Well, a young star is growing in Barcelona – 18-year-old winger Yusuf Demir.
Photo: Alexander Safonov, “Championship”
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Main coach
Franco Foda was a fairly well-known player: he played for Kaiserslautern, Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart, played a couple of matches for the German national team. Now the 55-year-old specialist has been working with Austria for the fourth year. Not surprisingly, the German plays football, which is loved in the Bundesliga – a lot of movement, aggressive pressure. Nevertheless, it is difficult to call Fouda a successful coach so far. There are only two trophies in his collection – the championship and the Austrian Cup with Sturm 10 years ago.
There was a different attitude towards Foda’s work at different stages. He was both praised after successful results and heavily criticized. The rivals hinted that Foda’s team was playing overly aggressive football. For example, the striker told the Brazilian national team Neymar after the meeting with Austria: “We were ready for the fact that their players are like UFC fighters. But everything went fine. No harm done “. In general, in good matches, the Austrians play at the level of teams from the top 5 Bundesliga, so the Russian national team will definitely not be the favorite in the confrontation with them.
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How we played in big tournaments
Austrian football has seen better times. For example, at the 1954 World Cup, the national team of this country took third place, losing in the semifinals to the future champion – Germany. And 20 years before, at the 1934 World Cup, the Austrian national team finished fourth.
In addition, the Austrians reached the final stage of the World Cup in 1958, 1978, 1982, 1990 and 1998. However, the team missed the last five tournaments.
As for the European Championships, until 2008, the Austrian national team did not manage to make it to the final stage. At Euro 2008, and the team stayed at Euro 2016. But at Euro 2020, she finally reached the playoffs and played in the 1/8 finals.
How we played with Russia
The national teams of Russia and Austria played five matches among themselves. In 1994, ours won a friendly match in Klagenfurt – 3: 0. Vladimir Beschastnykh, Yuri Nikiforov and Igor Simutenkov scored (from the penalty spot). In 2004 in Graz, the sparring ended in a draw – 0: 0. Another 10 years later, in November 2014, the Austrians won 1: 0 in the qualifying match of Euro 2016. The only scorer in the 73rd minute was Rubin Okoti.
We lost to Austria in that cycle and in June 2015 in Moscow. Again – 0: 1. Mark Yanko scored in the 33rd minute. Finally, in May 2018, the Russian national team, preparing for the home World Cup 2018, lost the sparring in Innsbruck – 0: 1. The goal of Stanislav Cherchesov’s team was struck by Alessandro Schöpf.
“I am very pleased with the actions of my team. Not only because of the victory, but also because of the quality of the game. All 90 minutes we showed character, I’m proud of my guys. We played well against Russia, played very compactly in defense. I knew that the Russian team had strengths, in particular, a quick transition from defense to attack. But we just didn’t let her play the way she wanted, so we won, ”Foda said after that victory. Hopefully the Austrian coach won’t repeat those words in March 2022.