Soccer - Women

ÖFB U19 team misses out on European Championship after 0:1 against Ireland

Austria's U19 women have missed out on qualifying for the European Football Championship in Lithuania in July! 

Team boss Hannes Spilka's side were beaten 0:1 (0:0) by Ireland in their second group game in Zagreb on Saturday as part of a mini-tournament in Croatia, meaning they no longer have a chance of qualifying for the European Championship. After their second win in the second game, Ireland are already the group winners and only they will qualify for the finals.

Bad luck with two shots on target
A yellow and red card for central defender Selina Albrecht (42) left the previously superior Austrians short-handed. After the break, Joy Ralph (50) scored the winner, while Ireland's Freya Healy (95) was also sent off with a yellow card just before the final whistle. The Austrian side were unlucky with two shots on target during the match and were unable to avoid disappointment.

Ireland lead Group A2 by three points from the ÖFB team and Iceland, who face each other in the third group game of the elite round on Tuesday (12.30 p.m.) and have both lost the direct clash against Ireland that is relevant for the standings.

The parallel match between Iceland and Croatia ended 3:1 on Saturday. The ÖFB team started the second qualifying phase with an 8:1 victory over Croatia. Last December, the U19 team qualified for the U20 World Cup, making them the first Austrian women's national team to qualify for a World Cup.