Austria ends training camp with a draw

In Kirchschlag, Debreceni VSC awaited as Wiener Austria's second friendly opponent. To conclude the training camp, the duel with the fourth-placed team of the past season in Hungary ended in a 1-1 draw.

Coach Stephan Helm granted all fit squad players 45 minutes of playing time each.

In front of a good crowd with many Austria fans, goalkeeper Samuel Sahin-Radlinger distinguished himself in the early stages, saving shots from Kusnyir (2') and Dzsudzsák (12').

Florian Wustinger initiated Austria's first dangerous attack with an outside-of-the-boot pass into space. Sanel Šaljić sprinted forward, beat an opponent, and set up Manfred Fischer, whose shot was saved by keeper Andreev (16').

At the other end, Sohan Baldoni headed Debreceni VSC into a 1-0 lead from a free-kick cross by Dzsudzsák (20').

Equalizer from the Spot

As the first half progressed, Austria found their rhythm better. Following a foul on Matteo Schablas, Johannes Eggestein converted the resulting penalty to make it 1-1 (37').

After coach Stephan Helm made a complete change of personnel at half-time as planned, Austria had two excellent chances at the start of the second half: Hasan Deshishku, who recently signed his first professional contract with Austria, narrowly missed a cross from Reinhold Ranftl (46'). Romeo Mörth controlled a through ball well but failed to beat Andreev when through on goal alone (57').

For the guests from Hungary, who also changed their entire team at half-time, Mark had a good chance to take the lead, almost lobbing the onrushing Mirko Kos successfully (64').

Late Chances Go Unconverted

Overall, the Violets, playing with many young academy graduates in the second half, were somewhat closer to a winning goal. Moritz Wels shot into the side netting from a tight angle (77'). Hasan Deshishku tried his luck from distance (87') and, just a minute later, set up the unmarked Moritz Wels, who placed the ball just wide of the goal from about 14 meters (88').

"The players worked very hard during the training camp, which is why a certain fatigue is noticeable at the moment, and that's how it should be at this stage of preparation. I think we played against an opponent at eye level today – you can draw important conclusions from such tests. We saw some young Austria players again today who got their chance to show what they can do," summarized coach Stephan Helm.

Austria Line-up

1st Half: Şahin-Radlinger – Kang Hee Lee, Dragović, Feddersen – Nnodim, Marković, Wustinger, Schablas – Fischer, Eggestein, Šaljić (23' Hettwer) 

2nd Half: Kos – Toifl, Handl, Radonjić – Ranftl, Nisandzić, Maybach, Österreicher – Mörth, Deshishku, Wels

Not in Squad: Taeseok Lee (vacation after World Cup), Botić, Sarkaria (both rehab after injury), Boateng, Wiesinger (both nursing knocks), Kante (ill)

Unusual Lustenau Friendly

Promoted side Austria Lustenau put together an unusual test: In Trübbach, one half was played against FC Vaduz, then another half against FC St. Gallen.

While the 45 minutes against the Liechtensteiner ended 0-1, new signing Dominik Weixelbraun (3') secured a 1-0 victory over St. Gallen.

SCR Altach had to concede a 1-2 defeat to FC Heidenheim in Koblach, with Greil (54') scoring the interim equalizer against the Germans.

WSG Tirol drew 0-0 with Górnik Zabrze from Poland in Angerberg, while TSV Hartberg battled Ujpest Budapest to a 1-1 draw (Goals: Drew/55' and Ljujic/38').