The 19-year-old striker of the French second division Toulouse, Naatan Skyttä, put together a brace in Tampere (19th, 58th), Leo Greiml was only able to shorten the second half with a head (68th). But Oliver Antman got the deserved final score (86th).
Croatia took over Austria’s first place in the table with a 5-1 win in Azerbaijan and a maximum of twelve points from four games. Second is Norway after beating Estonia 3-0. Like the Scandinavians, the ÖFB team has nine points, but played one game more than the two top-ranked teams.
Greiml with the connection goal (68th minute)
After a corner, Greiml hit with his head and reduced it to 2: 1.
The nine group winners and the best runner-up qualify for the final round, which will take place in Romania and Georgia in 2023. The remaining eight runners-up match each other for four more tickets.
Start-up difficulties lead to residue
Team boss Werner Gregoritsch made three changes compared to the 4-0 win in Estonia. Greiml was preferred to David Nemeth, Muhammed Saracevic played instead of Matthäus Taferner, and Marlon Mustapha replaced the unfit junior Adamu, who has already scored five times in the qualification. The ÖFB troops had teething problems and unfortunately fell behind.
Skyttäs shot was deflected by Greiml so that he found his way into the goal over Hedl. With a Hämäläinen header (37th), the second hit was in the air, so the crossbar saved Austria.
Skyttä presents for Finland (19th minute)
A shot by Skyttä was deflected by Greiml to make it 1-0 for goalie Hedl.
But the guests were also unlucky with aluminum, so a Saracevic shot (43rd) jumped back from the bar. After the break, Skyttä increased after Flavius Daniliuc was unable to prevent a Haakans cross. As a result, the ÖFB team showed a reaction, after missing opportunities from Taferner and Thierno Ballo (64th) it was Greiml who scored. The defender closed after Auer’s flank with a head. But there was not more to it than that, despite its optical superiority.
Liefering striker scores three times for Croatia
Once again there was nothing to celebrate against Finland after they were eliminated on penalties in the 2009 European Championship qualifying play-offs. On November 12th it will continue in Azerbaijan. The opponent was dealt 5-1 by Croatia on Tuesday.
Outstanding was Roko Simic. The 18-year-old, who scored eight goals in eleven games for FC Liefering plus Youth League, also presented himself in team dress with a triple pack in a goal mood.
Voices for the game:
Werner Gregoritsch (ÖFB-U21 team boss): “The Finns did well when it came to pressing. And of course the course of the game played into their cards. The ball to 0: 1 is deflected, and there was a foul against us before that was not whistled. But I can’t blame my team, they gave everything. Unfortunately, in some phases we didn’t do as well as in the last few games. “
Flavius Daniliuc (ÖFB-U21-Kapitän): “It was a bitter evening for us. We had big plans and are unfortunately now without any points. The Finns made it difficult for us to play our game, but I still think we shouldn’t have lost the game. We have to put an end to our mistakes if we want to achieve our goal. “
U21 European Championship qualification, group A.
Tuesday:
Finland – Austria 3: 1 (1: 0)
Tampere, SR Howhannisjan/ARM
Tore: Skyttä (19th, 58th), Antman (86th) bzw. Greiml (68.)
Austria: Hedl – Affengruber, Daniliuc (61./T. Sabitzer), Greiml – Saracevic (61./Taferner), Aiwu, N. Seiwald, Auer – Ballo (89./Nemeth), Prass (89. F./Seiwald) – Mustapha
U21 European Championship qualification, group A.
