U20 World Cup – Austria’s footballers are eager to start the World Cup

Tuesday, midnight Central European Time. Day X for Austria’s U20 girls. The match against Ghana marks the start of the first World Cup adventure for an ÖFB women’s team. After eleven days of preparation at more than 2,500 meters above sea level, the red-white-red team is ready. “We’re dying to start the World Cup,” assures team manager Markus Hackl. The man from Gmünd has taken a close look at his opening opponent.

“Ghana may be a little wild structurally, but they defend very close to their opponents.” “We have to be very careful in the rest of the defense and control the game well,” says Hackl. “It will be important for us not only to let the ball run within our own ranks, but also to change our positions and thereby create space.”

Advancing to the round of 16 is at the top of the agenda for the Austrians, who had a lot to work through in preparation for the World Cup after the turbulent separation from coach Hannes Spilka.

Sisic: “Victory would be the best thing that could happen to us”

While this is the first World Cup appearance in history for the Austrians, alongside Fiji, Cameroon and Morocco, the “Black Princesses” from Ghana are about to take part in their 7th World Cup in the U20 women’s category. The Africans have never reached the knockout phase before. Neulengbach’s captain Tajtana Weiss, whose tackling skills will be in demand, knows exactly what will be important.

“If we go into the game with fire and passion and push ourselves to the limit, then I think we have a good chance of starting the tournament with a positive experience,” hopes the Baden native. “We have analyzed Ghana well and know that their strengths are in transition play. We will have to physically counter that.”

Blau-Weiß-Linz striker Almedina Sisic had a similar attitude at the World Cup premiere, which will be shown live on ORF Sport+. “We want to get the tournament off to a good start, ideally with a win, that would be the best thing that could happen to us,” said the attacker, who began her football career in Purgstall. “We don’t just want to reward ourselves with a good performance, we want to make all of Austria proud.” Ghana is very robust and athletic, but I think we have an advantage in terms of playing if we give our best on the pitch.”

Gartner also keeps its fingers crossed

Not only ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel travelled to Bogota, but also NÖFV boss Hans Gartner. The Ziersdorf native, who is responsible for women’s football within the football association, arrived in the Colombian metropolis on Sunday evening.

What’s next for the Austrian women’s football team after their opening match against Ghana? The next dates: Austria – New Zealand (6 September, 03:00 CET, El Techo Stadium, Bogota/ ORF Sport+); Austria – Japan (9 September, 01:00 CET, El Techo Stadium, Bogota/ORF Sport+)