FB president Windner confident before World Cup qualifying begins

FB President Leo Windner looks forward confidently to the World Cup qualification starting in Scotland on Thursday (8.45pm CET). Upper Austrians rely on the national team to participate in the first World Cup since 1998, either directly with a first place in Group F or through an affair through the play-offs, for which they finish second Will qualify

The Glasgow travel permit for 19 German veterans and French guest workers Adrian Grubik provides additional optimism. “We are all relieved “Windner told the APA. Following the tense tension of the past few days, the 70-year-old thanked the entire ÖFB administration, including team boss Franco Foda, sports director Peter Schöttel, managing director Bernhard Neuhold and general secretary Thomas Holler. “Efficient crisis management was done, we are all happy that we made it.”

The upheavals of the last few days also had positive aspects for Windner. “It was very important that the football public saw the entire spectrum of our team’s candidates from this position and it was clear that we are qualitatively broad and in good standing.”

On Sunday, 14 players from the provisional 43-man line-up were transferred to the list. “But each of them still has a chance to play their role in the field of vision by June”, Emphasized Windner.

fix! FB team for World Cup qualification with all veterans

For now, the current team is challenged to make a good start in World Cup qualifying. “We have clearly set the goal of qualification”Windner told the APA. The head of the association is expecting a first place in the group, which would mean a definite place for Qatar in 2022. If you came in second, you would have reached the playoffs.

By winning the group in the Nations League, the OFB team will also be independent of qualifying results in the World Cup play-offs if the four teams from Quintet France, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Wales finish their group in first or second place. . However, Windner does not want to rely on this – quite realistic – scenario and depends on what, in his opinion, is the great section of the FB team. “Team EM is just as strong as a successful qualification for 2016, only in terms of quality it is now much broader than before”, Windner said.

Denmark’s toughest rival

Nevertheless, Denmark should be given higher status. “It would be unfair and totally exaggerated not to count the Danes among the top teams in Europe, as they have an incredibly strong team and are clear favorites in the group. Despite that, we are going to do whatever it takes to end up in front of them. Can also, we will ”, Promised FB boss. Windtner said that early rival Scotland is the toughest opponent behind Denmark.

According to Windner, if things do not go as planned for Austria at Hampden Park in Glasgow, nothing will be lost. “In qualifying for 2016, we started with a 1–1 home draw against Sweden and then won nine times in a row. And in the last qualification we lost the first two games and are still in EM ”, Windner emphasized and summarized: “It would be good to start well, but you’ve seen that we can be successful even with a bad start.”

(What)

Photo: GEPA