Game for Eternity? Austria Could Make History Against Cyprus

Austria's national football team faces a potentially historic appearance on Saturday (6:00 PM CET/live ORF 1). A victory in Limassol against Cyprus would mean the first World Cup participation since 1998, provided Bosnia and Herzegovina does not win at home against Romania nearly three hours later. Even if the ticket for the 2026 finals does not work out on Saturday, the ÖFB team can still secure it on their own on Tuesday in Vienna against Bosnia.

Alaba and Mwene suspended

Team coach Ralf Rangnick would logically prefer to settle everything on the Mediterranean island. "But this is not a wish concert. What matters is what we can influence, and that is our game and our performance," said the German before the final training session on Friday in Paphos, emphasizing: "We have everything in our own hands. If someone had told us this starting position before the start of the qualifiers, we would probably have accepted it."

All players participated in the last session before departing for Limassol, except for the suspended David Alaba. Phillipp Mwene also has to watch against Cyprus due to a suspension, otherwise, all players are ready for action, reported Rangnick. The 67-year-old left open which starting formation will be seen on Saturday.

Who will attack against Cyprus?

There are question marks regarding the positions on the left and half-left in the back four. Kevin Danso, Leopold Querfeld, Marco Friedl, Alexander Prass, and Konrad Laimer are considered candidates. At the forefront, either Marko Arnautovic or Michael Gregoritsch is expected. It is also unclear whether Xaver Schlager, who was struggling with calf problems until a few days ago, will start.

However the starting eleven will look, the idea is clear: "What matters is the energy, the power with which we approach the game," said Rangnick. The opponent is not only warned because of the hard-fought 1-0 in September in Linz. Cyprus has not lost a home game in this qualification, turning a 0:2 against Romania and Bosnia into a 2:2 in front of their own crowd. "Therefore, we are forewarned," said Rangnick.

We are facing an unpleasant and tactically disciplined opponent, explained the national coach. "That's why we have to make sure that we execute our game 100 percent. We know that we are capable of winning if we bring our qualities to the field."

There was no sign of great nervousness in Rangnick a day before the match. He admitted that he doesn't feel a big tingling yet. "That comes to me two minutes before kickoff and I don't think it will be any different on Saturday," said the team manager. "It's similar to how it always is for me. We take care of the things we can prepare."

Full House in Austria

Rangnick and his team will travel immediately after the match from Limassol to Larnaca, about an hour away, from where they will fly back to Vienna. In the federal capital, preparation for the sold-out match at the Happel Stadium against Bosnia will begin on Sunday, which, depending on the outcome of Saturday's matches, will either be a big showdown or a party event.

(APA/Red)

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