Austria and Norway meet in a decisive clash in Group A at Brighton for qualification to the quarterfinals stage of the Euro 2022.
Irene Fuhrmann’s side needs only a draw to advance to the next round after a comprehensive 2-0 win over Northern Ireland while Norway have to win this game to stand any chance for progression following their 8-0 mauling in the hands of England.
AUT vs NR Match Details
Date: Friday, 15th July 2022/ Saturday, 16th July 2022
Time: 20:00 (BST)/ 00:30 (IST)
Venue: AMEX Stadium, Brighton
AUT vs NR Match Preview
There was a post-game celebration for the Austrians after their triumph against Northern Ireland as if they have won the tournament but it was no less successful for the nation dreaming to be in the quarterfinal for successive Euro editions. After a resilient display in the 1-0 defeat to England on the opening day, the first win in this group stage was welcoming. Right-back Kathrina Schiechtl gave the Austrians a deserved lead against the newcomers before the other Kathrina, Naschenweng rounded off the victory late coming on as a substitute. While Barbara Dunst won the player of the match award for constructing Austria’s attack, Sarah Puntigham delivered the crucial two assists for the goals scored. The win puts them second in the group and on the brink of qualifying for the last eight. All they need is a draw against Norway to confirm their spot by virtue of their goal difference. The Grasshoppers, wounded by their howling display against England, are not an easy opponent to face on the day who are raring to go again to overturn their disappointment of the game. Austria could rely on their defence again, which restricted eight-goal scoring England to just one in the opener, against the Norway side having not scored in the demolition but four in their first match. Although a point will do the task, Austria will be looking for all three in their journey to repeat their run to the semi-final in Euro 2017 or even better it.
Norway suffered a disastrous outing last game in this Euros allowing hosts England to inflict the biggest ever defeat in the tournament and their history. It also ended their six game winning streak prior to the game. Coach Martin Sjortgen made several changes to the starting eleven from the opening game 4-1 win over Northern Ireland but his method to attack England didn’t sit down well. In the absence of a key defensive midfielder to protect a shaky back four, England ran riot over them and went six goals at half-time. So, Sjortgen is expected to stop experimenting anymore and field a balanced team to earn a win they badly demand to seal their faith in the quarterfinals. Despite such a crushing defeat, Norway know they can rely on the attack to get them through. Only taking one shot on target against the hosts is a concern, especially opening up a stubborn Austrian defence so the front four has the duty to find the back of the net at plenty to recover their negative goal difference making the win a surety. They need Ada Hegenberg to start scoring again alongside Caroline Hansen and Guro Reiten in order to stay in the tournament. Austria only needs a draw so there is less pressure on their side with Norway having a bigger task to secure three points. They need to pick themselves up quickly and approach this game more professionally than the last. Otherwise, nothing can prevent elimination from the group stages of Euro 2022.
AUT vs NR Recent Form
AUS: WLLWW
NOR: LWWWW
AUT vs NR Team News
There are no further injury concerns for Austria after Maria Plattner and Lisa Kolb withdraw from the squad for the competition due to injuries suffered last week. Virginia Kirchberger and Annabel Schasching are called up to replace them. Kathrina Schiechtl scored a goal and played a decisive role in the win over Northern Ireland from right back. She should continue in her role ahead of Laura Wienroither. Midfielder Laura Feiersinger could make a return to the starting lineup in place of Marie Hobinger.
Norway have a fully fit squad for the crucial game and is expected to make certain changes to the starting eleven that received a thrashing from England. The important one should be Frida Maanum back in defensive midfield role after abruptly dropped in the second game. So are Anja Sonstevold in the right-back position and Amalie Eikeland in the same flank on the wings.
AUT vs NR Expected Lineups
AUS: Manuela Zinsberger; Katharina Schiechtl, Carina Wenninger, Viktoria Schnaderbeck, Verena Hanshaw; Sarah Puntigam, Barbara Dunst, Sarah Zadrazil, Laura Feiersinger, Katharina Naschenweng; Nicole Billa
NOR: Guro Pettersen; Anja Sonstevold, Maren Mjelde, Maria Thorisdottir, Julie Blakstad; Frida Maanum, Ingrid Engen; Amalie Eikeland, Caroline Hansen, Guro Reiten; Ada Hegerberg
AUT vs NR Head to Head
Norway have walked this fixture in four of the five meetings they had with Austria so far with the other resulting in a draw. It came in a 2-2 thriller in 2016 in the last edition Euro qualifiers, the first time ever the Austrians managed to find the back of the net in this meeting.
AUT vs NR Dream11 Prediction
GK: Zinsberger (8.5)
DEF: Schiechtl (8.5), Wenninger (8.5), Wenninger (8.5), Blakstad (8.5)
MID: Dunst (8.5), Maanum (9.5), Puntigam (9.5), Naschenweng (8.5)
FW: Hansen (9.5), Reiten (10)
Schiechtl scored Austria’s opening goal in the 2-0 win over Northern Ireland with teammate Wenninger and Wenninger maintaining the clean sheet.
Puntigam provided the assists for the game from deep midfield while Maanum has a goal to her name in two games for Norway
Hansen and Reiten are willing to fire for Norway again after three-goal contributions for the nation in the tournament.
