Football: Austria's U17 Becomes Vice World Champion After 0:1 Against Portugal

The crowning of a sensational tournament performance was denied to Austria's U17 football team. The ÖFB talents had to concede defeat to Portugal 0:1 (0:1) in the final of the U17 World Cup in Doha on Thursday. The team led by coach Hermann Stadler was the first ÖFB team to reach a World Cup final, but a goal by Anisio Cabral (32nd minute) ended the dream of a World Cup title.

Final brought first defeat

The Austrians had entered the final with seven wins in seven games, where the Portuguese proved to be the better team and deservedly won the U17 World Cup trophy for the first time. The Austrians were unlucky in the finish when a shot by Daniel Frauscher only hit the post (85th minute).

The current U17 European champion Portugal clearly dominated the game in the first half at the Khalifa International Stadium and repeatedly put the ÖFB team under pressure with dangerous offensive actions. Goalkeeper Daniel Posch was lucky when a failed excursion led to a goal being disallowed due to a foul (13th minute).

Anisio put Portugal in the lead

Austria had little possession and hardly any quick transition moments, which had been a strength until the final. However, the Stadler team became really dangerous once before the break. A shot by Hasan Deshishku was saved by goalkeeper Romario Cunha, and the second attempt by Johannes Moser, the tournament's top scorer with eight goals, was blocked (14th minute).

In the 32nd minute, the Portuguese took a deserved but controversial lead. Striker Anisio pushed a cross from Duarte Cunha over the line from a position suspected of being offside, and the goal stood even after a video check. It was the second goal conceded by the Austrians in this tournament and the first against Posch, who had been unbeaten in six matches before.

Post Prevented Equalizer

In front of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, ÖFB Supervisory Board Chairman Josef Pröll, and the visiting State Secretary for Sports Michaela Schmidt, the young Austrians started the second half with a lot of energy. The Portuguese, almost exclusively players from top clubs Benfica Lisbon and FC Porto, soon regained control of the game. A header from Mateus Mide (62nd) and a shot from Neto (68th) also posed a threat.

Austria launched a final offensive that was unsuccessful. A header from Ifeanyi Ndukwe went over the goal (82nd), and a shot from Julian Halmich was blocked (88th). The greatest chance came from Frauscher, who had just been substituted, whose shot hit the inside post and bounced back into the field.

U17 World Cup as a Success for Austria

Nevertheless, the ÖFB talents, who will return home as vice-world champions on Saturday, can consider the tournament a great success.

(APA/Red)

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