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David Alaba (left) and coach Franco Foda
Photo:
Herbert Neubauer / dpa
The Austrian national soccer team conceded another bankruptcy in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup three days after the 2: 5 against Israel: In Vienna, coach Franco Foda's team lost to Scotland 0: 1 (0: 1) and on Tuesday evening is only fourth in Group F after six out of ten games, four points behind second Scotland.
While the team is trembling about participating in the World Cup in Qatar, Foda has to fear for his job.
"It's just extremely disappointing, we're sorry for the whole of Austria," said Christoph Baumgartner from Hoffenheim, "I understand that every Austrian is disappointed, each of us has decided on something different."
Lyndon Dykes scored the only goal in front of 18,800 spectators in Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium (30th minute) by converting a penalty after video evidence.
Eintracht Frankfurt's Martin Hinteregger had pressed opponent Che Adams to the ground with both hands.
The centrally shot ball then slipped through goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann under the body.
After that, the Austrians, who had started with great energy and pressure, seemed unimaginative.
Against cleverly defending Scots they were hardly dangerous in the second half.
Both the Kronenzeitung and the Kurier called the performance a »tragedy«.
Foda still believes in qualification
The pressure on the former German international Foda is now likely to increase - whether he will sit on the bench on October 9th in the Faroe Islands and on October 12th away against the dominant league leaders Denmark is an open question. “If you look back on two defeats in three games, you understand the unrest,” said captain David Alaba after the game. “It wasn't that long ago that we were successful. And now the world looks different again. It happens very quickly at home, but we know that. «At the European Championships in the summer in the round of 16, Austria failed only in extra time against eventual European champions Italy.
Coach Foda was combative.
»I like to be the team boss of Austria and do everything I can to be successful with the team.
I can't influence everything else, ”said the 55-year-old.
And further: »I assume that I will play the playoff.
We still have four games, we'll try everything to get those twelve points. "
France wins again, Denmark perfect
A perfect qualification continues to play the EM semi-finalist Denmark.
The Danes won against Israel in Group F 5-0 (3-0) and celebrated their sixth victory in their sixth game.
After five competitive games without a win,
France
have won again. Thanks to two goals from Antoine Griezmann, the team of coach Didier Deschamps defeated Finland 2-0 (1-0) in Group D. The last victory so far was France at the European Championship against Germany. Shortly afterwards, the team was sensationally eliminated in the round of 16 against Switzerland.
The
Netherlands
are back on track in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
With a 6-1 (3-0) win against Turkey, coach Louis van Gaal's team took over the lead in their Group G on Tuesday evening.
In addition to the outstanding Memphis Depay (16th, 37th, 54th), the former Bremer Davy Klaassen (1st), the former Freiburg Guus Til (80th) and Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen (90th) scored the goals for the Elftal.
Portugal
overtook Serbia (1-1 in Ireland) in Group A.
The Portuguese won 3-0 (2-0) in Azerbaijan without the yellow-banned record scorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
ngo / dpa