Nations League Kickoff
LIVE NOW: Austria’s Return to Action Against Israel!
A successful start for Austria’s national team in the new Nations League season: Coach Ralf Rangnick’s squad—completely revamped following the World Cup in North America—defeated Israel 3–1 at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz!
Kronen Zeitung als bevorzugte Google-Quelle hinzufügen The goals for the Austrian national team were scored by Romano Schmid (43'), Phillipp Mwene (90th), and Sasa Kalajdzic (93rd); Israel’s goal scorer, Saied Abu Farchi, received a yellow-red card immediately after the 1–1 equalizer due to a controversial gesture while celebrating the goal (56th).
Rangnick relied on proven players
Despite the absence of several prominent players, head coach Rangnick relied on proven players in front of 15,200 fans—of the eleven players in the starting lineup, only Marco Grüll had not participated in the World Cup. The Austrians tried to apply pressure from the start and initially forced the Israelis onto the defensive. However, the best they could manage was a clear miss by new captain Michael Gregoritsch.
As the match progressed, the Israelis grew more confident on the ball but were also unable to create any clear-cut chances. A stalemate ensued with few highlights. Patrick Wimmer was denied by goalie Daniel Peretz from a sharp angle (24th minute), a deflected shot by Grüll sailed over the crossbar, and a header by Stefan Posch missed the target (both in the 33rd minute).
Gregoritsch was substituted early
Shortly afterward, Gregoritsch twisted his ankle and was replaced by Sasa Kalajdzic; Nicolas Seiwald wore the captain’s armband for the time being, and Xaver Schlager took over after halftime. Kalajdzic brought energy to the game and promptly drew a penalty when he was brought down in the penalty area by Idan Nachmias—Schmid converted it confidently. Seconds before halftime, Posch could have added to the lead but failed to beat goalkeeper Peretz when one-on-one in the box.
At halftime, Paul Wanner came on for Grüll; Austria had its first scoring chance when Philipp Lienhart headed the ball over the crossbar in the 53rd minute. Less than two minutes later came the highlight of the evening: After a deflected shot, the ball flew into the Austrian box; Abu Farchi jumped higher than Lienhart and headed it in to make it 1–1.
Irks with Rifle (?) CelebrationJust as the goal celebration seemed to be over, the striker turned back, grabbed the corner flag, and made a gesture with it that could be interpreted as a billiards shot, but also as raising and firing a rifle. Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov showed Abu Farchi, who had already received a yellow card, a second yellow (56th minute) for this.
ÖFB team unbeaten in 15 home international matches
The Austrians increased the pressure while playing with a man advantage. Kalajdzic tested Peretz (60th, 76th), and shortly afterward, LASK pros Sascha Horvath and Christoph Lang made their team debuts. The match seemed to be rolling like a snowball toward Israel’s goal, but relief didn’t come until the final moments. Mwene scored on a volley off a cross from Paul Wanner to make it 2-1 (90'), and Kalajdzic sealed the victory shortly afterward with a powerful shot (90'+3)—extending Austria’s home unbeaten streak to 15 games.
The Austrians will be back in action as early as Sunday in Vienna against Kosovo in the Nations League. Next week, they’ll face away matches against Ireland and Kosovo.
The result:
Austria – Israel 3–1 (1–0)
Linz, Raiffeisen Arena, 15,200 spectators, Referee Georgi Kabakov (BUL)
Goals: 1–0 (43’/penalty) Schmid, 1–1 (55’) Abu Farchi, 2–1 (90’) Mwene, 3–1 (90’+3) Kalajdzic
Yellow-Red Card: Abu Farchi (56.)
Yellow cards: X. Schlager, Danso, Wimmer; E. Peretz, Da. Peretz
Austria: A. Schlager – Posch, Lienhart, Danso, Mwene – Seiwald (73. Horvath), X. Schlager – Wimmer (73. Lang), Schmid (82. Chukwuemeka), Grüll (46. Wanner) – Gregoritsch (36th Kalajdzic)
Israel: Da. Peretz – Mizrahi (64. Shlomo), Nachmias, Stoinov, Revivo – Dor Peretz (64. Levi), E. Peretz (85. Dasa) – Khalaili, Gloukh (85. Abada), Solomon (73. Turgeman) – Abu Farchi
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