Closing party: ÖFB women in third place in World Cup qualification despite 1:2 in Norway

Double strike after the break

A double whammy of Thea Bjelde (46) and Caroline Graham Hansen (48) The decision came straight after the break in the Ullevaal Stadium. Barbara Dunst only managed to score the connecting goal (51st). In general, the defeat could have been worse given how the second half went. It was the sixth defeat in the tenth direct duel with the 1995 world champion. This was bearable due to finishing in third place in the pool, which means that, like runner-up Norway in October, they will play in the first of two play-off rounds against a group winner or one of the two best runners-up from League C. Slovenia has to play against an opponent from League B. The draw will take place on June 18th.

Two changes to the ÖFB starting eleven

The new team boss Lars Sondergaard After his debut in the 1-0 win in Vienna on Friday against Slovenia, he only made the two changes to the starting line-up that he was forced to make. Somewhat surprisingly, St. Pölten’s captain Jennifer Klein replaced Virginia Kirchberger in the defense center, who was missing for personal reasons. In midfield, Dunst moved into the team in place of the suspended Annabel Schasching. Mariella El Sherif kept goal despite finger problems. This time her team played in a 5-3-2 system and was keen to disrupt the Norwegians early on from the start. The ÖFB selection only had to survive a period of pressure from the home team between the seventh and tenth minutes.

In general, captain Sarah Puntigam and Co. appeared much more compact than against Slovenia. The hosts had significantly more possession of the ball, but hardly found any gaps in the game going forward. Only twice did it become very dangerous. Guro Bergsvand narrowly missed the ball after a cross just in front of the goal (26′). El Sherif made a strong save when Barcelona’s Graham Hansen shot at the near corner (37′). The Austrians had two very good transitions, but were not rewarded with a goal.

Eileen Campbell ran towards the Norwegian goal alone, but was decisively disrupted by Ingrid Engen (29′). With the best opportunity, Julia Hickelsberger-Füller put a header from close range after Naschenweng’s ideal cross next to the goal (44th). As well as the Austrians defended before the break, they started the second half badly. After around 30 seconds, Bjelde scored with a header from a cross from Guro Reiten. It was the first goal conceded by ÖFB after two clean sheets. Two more minutes later it was Graham Hansen who headed in from close range.

Dunst goal was the only ÖFB highlight after the break

What is bitter is that Julie Blakstad, who gave the cross, was probably offside, but there is no VAR in qualifying. With both goals, the ÖFB kickers left too much space for their opponents and did not get into the duels decisively. But there was no sign of giving up, even as the goal came quickly. After a free kick that was only briefly cleared, Dunst reacted quickest, penetrated the penalty area with a hook and finished in an exemplary manner. Her 14th international goal remained the only offensive highlight.

The Norwegians exerted enormous pressure. Signe Gaupset was denied by El Sherif and Elisabeth Terland’s follow-up shot went over (55′). Two minutes later, Dunst received the ball in her outstretched hand after being shot in the head by Gaupset. Graham Hansen took the controversial penalty, her weak shot becoming easy prey for El Sherif. The 21-year-old also distinguished herself with a Terland shot (67th). In the 73rd minute, Söndergaard’s team was lucky that a Terland goal was wrongly disallowed for offside. For the ÖFB team there was still nothing worth counting compared to the last two appearances in Oslo.

satisfaction

“We played away against a very good Norwegian team, I think we can be happy with the performance despite the defeat. There are things we need to improve, but in the first half we were on par,” says Söndergaard.