ÖFB
Austria’s U21 national team achieved a 1-1 draw against Denmark in a friendly match in Ried on Friday. The focus was on Yusuf Demir: First, the ex-Rapidler, who was substituted after the break, gave the ÖFB team the lead with a magnificent free kick (67th). Then he took a penalty, which Oliver Sörensen converted to equalize (70′).
22.03.2024 22.35
Online since yesterday, 10:35 p.m
For the Austrians it was the dress rehearsal for the European Championship qualifying match on Tuesday again in Ried against Cyprus. In front of 1,050 spectators, the ÖFB footballers had the better chances in the first half on their team boss Werner Gregoritsch’s 66th birthday. Headers from Nicolas Sattlberger (10th) and Bernhard Zimmermann (19th) just missed the target.
At the break, the Danes, leaders in their European Championship qualifying group, substituted a few regulars. For example, William Böving came for his Sturm Graz colleague Mika Biereth. Böving also missed the Danes’ first great chance; he missed the goal from a few meters in the 58th minute. Just seconds later, a shot from Oliver Nielsen from the five-pointer hit the crossbar.
Demir hits the cross corner
When the visitors’ lead seemed to become apparent, Austria struck. After a foul on Zimmermann, Demir sank the free kick from just outside the box into the top corner of the goalkeeper’s corner. Less than two minutes later, however, the former A-team player, who only gets a short playing time at FC Basel, attacked too impetuously in his own penalty area. The result was a penalty that was confidently used by Sörensen.
GEPA/Christian Moser Demir (r.) gave the ÖFB U21 team the lead, but conceded a penalty a short time later
In the final phase both teams played for the winning goal, but there were no real compelling chances. “We had to provide six or seven players, and the Danes added exactly the number of players in the second half that I was missing. Overall you have to be happy because Denmark has great individual quality. My players fought until the end. With commitment, will and collective effort you can achieve a lot,” said U21 team boss Gregoritsch in an ORF interview.
