The Austrian national soccer team celebrated victory against Kazakhstan on the penultimate day of the Nations League group stage. Baumgartner (15′) and Gregoritsch (25′) gave Austria an early lead at the Almaty-Ortalyk Stadium. The Kazakhs, on the other hand, remained mostly harmless and made the game even more difficult when they were sent off.
AUSTRIA. After a disappointing start for the national team in Group B3 of the Nations League in September, Austria impressed with confidence against Kazakhstan and Norway in October. Before the final double in Group B3, the starting position was clear: If coach Ralf Rangnick’s team wins the clashes against Kazakhstan and Slovenia, the ÖFB kickers can no longer achieve a group victory and thus promotion back to the League A of the League of Nations.
At the press conference on Wednesday, the team boss was convinced that this success can be achieved: “It will be up to us to play our football, to show our true colors. If we do that, then I am sure that we will be both .to win upcoming games.” The Germans fielded the following eleven in sub-zero temperatures to secure three points against the Kazakhs:
Baumgartner puts Austria in front, which is worth seeing
Austria started the game with a lot of enthusiasm, but the Kazakhs also showed that they were well adjusted to the game and that they were waiting for a counter attack. There weren’t many great chances in the first few minutes, but ÖFB’s kickers became more dangerous in the end. First, Wimmer tested the Kazakh goalkeeper Pokatilov with a shot from distance (12′), shortly afterwards the national team celebrated the lead: Gregoritsch fed Posch on the wing, who placed the ball in the middle, where Baumgartner was already waiting. With a great back-heel trick, the Leipzig Legion left a Kazakh defender standing and pushed the ball into goalkeeper Pokatilov to make it 1-0 (15′).
Kazakhstan is penalized twice
A few minutes later, the hosts showed that the red-white-red defense had to stay alert despite the lead: Captain Tagybergen tried to beat Schlager with a long-range shot, but the Salzburg player deflected the ball confidently to the side. After that, Kazakhstan made life difficult for themselves: Marochkin was the last man to hold Baumgartner’s hand, which is why referee Barbu sent off the Kazakh defender with a red card. Gregoritsch then curled the free kick over the wall into the goal to make it 2-0 (25′).
ÖFB’s kickers dominated the game for the most part. However, a nice combination game between Gregoritsch and Baumgartner (32′), a shot from the goal scorer’s turn to make it 1-0 (36′) and Wimmer’s effort (42′) failed. Shortly before the half-time whistle, the fans of the national team who traveled with them were again screaming for the goal: Pokatilov stayed out of a shot from Laimer on the right side, where Wimmer immediately finished. But the ball only hit the bar, which is why the Austrians went into the break with a 2-0 lead.
Austria is leading the game
Austria remained offensive after the restart. In the 50th minute, the team’s kickers created a double chance: Posch first shot too central, which allowed Pokatilov to defend the ball. Baumgartner’s follow-up shot was too weak, which is why the lead remained at 2-0. Meanwhile, the Kazakhs tried to get back into the game with a quick breakthrough, but the red-white-red defense was dense and did not give any good chances.
In the 59th minute, Austria had their next chance to make it 3-0: Seiwald sent Prass running down the left. The defender brought the ball straight into the middle, where Schmid reached it while sliding. However, his shot landed right at the Kazakh goalkeeper.
Adamu’s goal is disallowed
After that, the game dragged on a bit, which is why the two Kazakh coaches Stanislav Cherchesov and Rangnick made changes. Seidl, Mwene, Stöger, Adamu and Weimann came into the game for Austria, while Laimer, Posch, Wimmer, Baumgartner and Schmid were allowed to sit on the bench. In the 79th minute, two substitutes appeared for the first time: Weimann served Adamu with a soft cross, but the Freiburg legionnaire headed the ball straight across the goal. Stöger’s shot also missed Pokatilov’s goal (80′).
In the 88th minute, Adamu’s header landed in the net, but the referee correctly disallowed the goal due to a dissenting position. With no more goals in stoppage time, Austria left the field as deserved winners and stole three points from Kazakhstan.
End of the year against Slovenia
After the game in Kazakhstan, the national team has a seven-hour journey home to Vienna. After that, it is likely that the coaching staff around Rangnick will focus entirely on regeneration so that his players can recover as well as possible for next Sunday. The end of the year and the Nations League final is on the agenda against Slovenia in the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.
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Title: Austria’s Triumphant Path in the Nations League: An Interview with Soccer Analyst Max Müller
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, everyone! Welcome to this special interview where we’ll dive into Austria’s recent performance in the Nations League against Kazakhstan. Joining us today is renowned soccer analyst Max Müller, who has been following the team’s journey closely. Max, thank you for being here!
Max Müller: Thank you for having me! It’s great to discuss such an exciting match.
Time.news Editor: Austria secured a convincing 2-0 victory against Kazakhstan. What impressed you the most about their performance?
Max Müller: The early momentum was crucial for Austria. They came out with a lot of enthusiasm, and you could see it in their gameplay. The first goal by Baumgartner, scored with that brilliant back-heel trick, not only showcased his individual talent but also set the tone for the whole match.
Time.news Editor: Yes, that was a fantastic goal! Baumgartner and Gregoritsch seemed to have a great connection throughout the game. How do you see their partnership evolving?
Max Müller: Absolutely. Their synergy on the field was evident. Gregoritsch’s ability to create chances and Baumgartner’s knack for finishing are vital for Austria’s attacking strategy. If they can maintain and develop this partnership, it will be invaluable as they progress in the Nations League.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of progression, Austria needs to win their next matches against Slovenia to keep their promotion hopes alive. How do you assess their chances moving forward?
Max Müller: It’s a tough but not impossible hill to climb. Coach Ralf Rangnick has confidence in the squad, and if they continue to play their game like they did against Kazakhstan, they have a good shot. Their ability to keep a solid defense while capitalizing on offensive opportunities will be key. If they maintain composure and teamwork, they can definitely achieve promotional success.
Time.news Editor: Kazakhstan received a red card early in the match, which changed the dynamics significantly. How do you think that affected the outcome?
Max Müller: The red card was a turning point. It not only demoralized the Kazakh players but also allowed Austria to play more aggressively. With a player down, Kazakhstan struggled to mount a significant challenge, which was evident as Austria dominated possession and created multiple chances. It underscores the importance of discipline in crucial games like these.
Time.news Editor: Do you think the team’s confidence from this match will carry into their upcoming games?
Max Müller: Definitely! Winning breeds confidence. This victory, especially after a rocky start in September, will motivate the team. Coach Rangnick emphasized the need to play their style and show their true colors, and they did just that. This positive momentum can be a game-changer for the players’ mentality in the next matches.
Time.news Editor: Great insights, Max! Lastly, what should fans look for as Austria heads into the final stretch of the Nations League?
Max Müller: Watch for strategic adjustments from Rangnick. The way they handle pressure and adapt to the opponent’s tactics will be crucial. Also, keep an eye on key players like Baumgartner and Gregoritsch - their form will heavily influence Austria’s success. Fans should be excited because we might see some thrilling matches ahead!
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Max, for your expert analysis and insights. It’s exciting times for Austria, and we look forward to seeing how they perform in their next matches.
Max Müller: Thank you for having me! Let’s hope for some more fantastic displays of soccer from the Austrians!
Time.news Editor: That’s all for today’s interview. Stay tuned for more updates on the Nations League and Austria’s journey!
