VIENNA, Austria – Austria’s national team completed its final training session ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against South Korea at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna. The match, a key part of their preparation for the upcoming World Cup, is slated to kick off at 8:15 PM local time (20:15 CET/2:15 PM EDT). Even as the squad appeared largely in good shape, goalkeeper Tobias Lawal’s adductor issues have likely cleared the path for Patrick Pentz to start in goal.
Lawal, who plays for KRC Genk, was absent from the training session held on the ÖFB Campus on Monday. Alessandro Schöpf, recovering from a thigh injury, also continued his rehabilitation work indoors, according to the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB). The positive news for Austrian supporters is that key players David Alaba, Konrad Laimer, and Xaver Schlager, all recently dealing with fitness concerns, participated fully in the open portion of the training session.
The goalkeeping situation has become clearer with Lawal’s injury. Following Friday’s convincing 5-1 victory over Ghana, where both Alexander Schlager and Florian Wiegele each played a half in goal, Lawal had hoped to earn his second cap for the national team. However, Brøndby IF’s Patrick Pentz is now expected to obtain the nod between the posts against South Korea. This provides Pentz with a valuable opportunity to showcase his abilities in a competitive international setting.
Austria is currently riding a wave of confidence, fueled by their dominant performance against Ghana. That win extended their unbeaten run at home to 13 matches, equaling a national record set over 51 years ago. A victory against South Korea would not only maintain that momentum but also establish a new benchmark for the ÖFB team. The historical significance of this run isn’t lost on the players.
The team’s recent form is particularly impressive. Their last home defeat came over two and a half years ago, a narrow 3-2 loss to Belgium in European Championship qualifying. Since then, they’ve secured nine wins and three draws, demonstrating a remarkable consistency under Team Chef Ralf Rangnick. The atmosphere surrounding the national team is palpably optimistic as they build towards the World Cup.
Romano Schmid emphasized the team’s ambition, stating, “This team has already made history several times. And the coach has also said that we are the first generation to qualify for both a World Cup and a European Championship. Then we should look to secure the sole record for home games.” His teammate, Alexander Prass, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team’s hunger for success.
The Ernst-Happel-Stadion holds fond memories for the Austrian squad, having recently witnessed their biggest-ever victory – a 10-0 thrashing of San Marino. The stadium will undoubtedly be buzzing with anticipation on Tuesday evening as fans hope to see another record fall. The team will be looking to build on their strong home form and send a clear message to their World Cup rivals.
Beyond the goalkeeping decision, Rangnick appears to have a nearly full complement of players available. The participation of Alaba, Laimer, and Schlager in training suggests they have overcome their recent fitness issues and are in contention to start. This provides Rangnick with a wealth of options as he fine-tunes his team for the challenges ahead.
The match against South Korea represents a crucial opportunity for Austria to test their preparations and refine their tactics before the World Cup. It’s a chance to build on the positive momentum generated by the win over Ghana and solidify their confidence ahead of the tournament. The team will be eager to deliver another strong performance for their home fans.
Austria’s impressive run of form at home is a testament to the team’s resilience and tactical flexibility. Their ability to consistently deliver results in front of their own supporters has been a key factor in their recent success. The players are clearly motivated to continue this trend and create even more memorable moments at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
The upcoming match against South Korea is more than just a friendly; it’s a statement of intent. Austria is determined to make a significant impact at the World Cup, and this game provides a platform to showcase their capabilities and build belief within the squad. The team is focused on achieving their goals and making their mark on the global stage.
Following Tuesday’s match against South Korea, the Austrian national team will finalize their World Cup squad and commence their preparations in earnest for the tournament. The focus will then shift to refining their tactics, building team cohesion, and ensuring that all players are fully fit and prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
Fans can follow live updates and analysis of the match against South Korea on ORF1, starting at 8:15 PM CET. Further information and official updates can be found on the ÖFB website.
