U16 national team plays out goal-fest with Czech Republic

Austria's U16 national team (2011 generation) drew 3-3 with the Czech side in a thrilling friendly on Wednesday.

Playing away in Lanzhot, the ÖFB youngsters showed great character and came from behind twice.

Five goals in the first half

The Czechs took an early lead through Kyklhorn (10'). But in an immediate counter-attack, Safet Gracic scored the equalizer for Austria (12').

Jakob Maybach, the three-year-younger brother of Austria Wien's Philipp Maybach, put the ÖFB team ahead for the first time (17'). However, the Czechs turned the game around before the break courtesy of a brace from Hasler (30', 34') to make it 2-3.

Quick-fire strike after the break

After the restart, head coach Franz Ponweiser swapped out his entire starting eleven, while the Czechs made just one injury-enforced substitution.

Austria emerged with renewed energy from the dressing room. Alan Gurban needed less than two minutes to level the score once again (47').

After that, numerous substitutions on the Czech side repeatedly disrupted the flow of the game. In the end, it finished 3-3.

A rematch will take place on Austrian soil on Saturday (12:00). In Laa an der Thaya, the Austrians will have the chance to secure a win in their final international match of the year.

ÖFB team line-ups:

First half

Formation: 4-2-2-2

Anes Adzem - Ben Kilian, Jonathan Haslwanter, Matteo Ulreich, Hajrudin Meduseljac - Ben Mayrhofer, Luka Nebel - Benjamin Nesimovic, Arlind Alili - Jakob Maybach, Safet Gracic

Second half

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Tobias Almesberger - Oscar Harding, Daniel Manzano-Teape, Fabio Krumlacher, Jonatan Maier - Benjamin Jukic, Luka Vidovic - Fynn Drobesch, Alan Gurban, Yusuf Barasi - Louai Saleh