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🇦🇹 Austria /Sports

Söndergaard Debuts as Austria Women's Football Coach, Aims to "Gamble" Against Slovenia

From Der Standard · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Lars Söndergaard makes his debut as the head coach of the Austrian women's national football team against Slovenia.
  • The team aims to secure its first win in the World Cup qualifiers, having scored only one goal in four previous matches.
  • Söndergaard expressed slight nervousness but confidence in his team's ability to absorb new tactics.

Lars Söndergaard is set to lead the Austrian women's national football team in his first match as head coach, facing Slovenia on Friday.

We've had very good days behind us.

— Lars SöndergaardDescribing his initial training sessions with the Austrian women's national football team.

The Danish coach admitted to feeling "a little nervous" ahead of his debut. The match, held at the Wiener Sport-Club-Platz, is crucial for Austria's World Cup qualifying campaign. The team has struggled offensively, scoring only one goal in their previous four matches.

Söndergaard has been working to instill his tactics during short training sessions. He described the team's response positively, stating, "We've had very good days behind us." The players have reportedly been eager to learn, with midfielder Sarah Puntigam noting they were "like sponges and tried to soak up everything."

We were like sponges and tried to soak up everything.

— Sarah PuntigamCommenting on the team's reception of the new coaching staff's methods.

This game marks Austria's 250th international match, and the team is determined to secure a victory to improve their standing in the qualification group. They are aiming to "gamble" and play offensively against Slovenia, seeking their first points in the campaign.

a little nervous

— Lars SöndergaardExpressing his feelings before his first match as head coach.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Der Standard in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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