Alaba and Arnautovic Fulfilled Their Dream of the Football World Cup

"When you look at my career path, this is the only thing that I was missing somewhere. It's something I dreamed of as a child," said David Alaba after the decisive 1:1 in the football World Cup qualifier against Bosnia. "This is really something very special."

Alaba: Qualification for the Football World Cup "something special for each and every one of us"

The World Cups of 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 took place without the star from Bayern Munich and now Real Madrid. "It's even more emotional when you've tried over the years and never succeeded," explained Alaba. He is not alone in this. The ÖFB captain mentioned Marcel Sabitzer alongside Arnautovic. "We've really been trying for quite some time. When this moment comes, it's something special for each and every one of us. We want to enjoy this moment and are really very, very proud of ourselves."

Football World Cup Qualifier: David Alaba as a Whisperer against Bosnia

Alaba experienced the decisive match from the bench due to his recent injury concerns. Nevertheless, he played an important role - as a motivator, communicator, and evidently also as a whisperer to team coach Ralf Rangnick. He asked the eventual goal scorer Michael Gregoritsch if he was ready for his substitution, Alaba recounted. "Then I went to the coach and said, we need a second striker, we need 'Gregerl'."

His goal in the 77th minute, in turn, prevented the substitution of Alaba, who would have been ready for the finish in case of a deficit. "I'm feeling good, but the risk was still a bit too high to start the game," said the 33-year-old about his calf problems. "For me, it was of course not so easy from the outside, but I tried to support the team. The coach also wanted to substitute me in. Then, thank God, the goal was scored. That naturally changed the situation."

Not only for Alaba, but for all of Austrian football. "The way the goal was scored just shows the character of our team, the will that we have within the team," said the captain. "We don't let ourselves down, we never give up. We are truly a family." The final match against Bosnia was a "rollercoaster." Looking at the entire qualification, the ÖFB team "really deserved" the World Cup ticket.

After World Cup Qualification: Marko Arnautovic for New Holiday

Alaba's father had a birthday on Tuesday, Arnautovic wanted to declare November 18th a holiday due to the secured World Cup participation. "The guys are younger than me," said Austria's record player. "But it is my second family. What we have off the pitch is extraordinary." It was the biggest game of his career. The tournament in North America is likely to be Arnautovic's last big international dance. "Everyone has earned this World Cup," emphasized the 36-year-old.

This also applies to Sabitzer, who paused sitting on the field after the final whistle. The midfielder could also reach the 100-cap club next year after Arnautovic (130 international matches) and Alaba (111). He is still five matches short. If the Styrian plays all four test matches in the spring, it could just happen in the World Cup opening match.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.