October 11, 2008: World Cup 2010 Qualifier, Group 7:
The Faroe Islands eat another Wienerschnitzel:
Faroe Islands vs. Austria 1-1
Faroe Islands – Austria 1-1 (0-0) 1-0 Bogi Løkin 47' 1-1 Martin Stranzl 49'
18 years after the famous win over Austria, the Faroe Islands once again managed to stop the Austrians who this time escaped with a draw, however.
In the very windy conditions in Tórsvøllur Stadium today, it was Austria who dominated the first half and created the most of the scoring opportunities. They had the wind in the back in the first half.
Austria so nearly took the lead after 8 minutes, when goalkeeper Jákup Mikkelsen’s clearence was caught by the wind and went straight in the back of defender Jón Rói Jacobsen. Austrias Erwin Hoffer got clear and beat Mikkelsen in goal, but Egil á Bø cleared the ball off the line and on to the post before it was cleared to safety.
On the half hour mark, Andreas Høltz should have scored for Austria, when he had a clear goal at his mercy after a rebound from Jákup Mikkelsen, who had made a great save from Hoffer’s freekick.
With 5 minutes to go of the first half, Christian Høgni Jacobsen went close for the Faroe Islands but this diagonal shot went close by the far post.
Also Arnbjørn Hansen got a glorious chance a he was played clear of the Austrian defence just before half time, but just as he was about to shoot, he was tackled by the quick Austrian defender.
And then, a minute and a half into the second half, the Faroes took the lead when Christian Høgni Jacobsen played Bogi Løkin through, and clear with Alexander Manninger, Løkin cooly fired past the Juventus goalkeeper.
However, the joy was short-lived, as Austria equalized just a couple of minutes later. First, Jákup Mikkelsen made a stunning save from a freekick, but from the following corner, Martin Stranzl stuck out a long leg to poke home from close range.
The second half was much more even than the first half as the Austrians were now playing against the wind – literally and figurative – and they didn’t seem to comfortable with it.
However, Austria probably had the better opportunities, but Jákup Mikkelsen (who earned his 60th cap today) kept the Austrians at bay – not least with a world-class foot parade when Austria looked certain to score.
But the Faroe Islands were also frequent guests near the Austrian goal. Amongst other, Andrew av Fløtum (who had come on for goalscorer Bogi Løkin, who actually had come on for Jákup á Borg late in the first half) had a fine shot from long range, although Manninger saved it comfortably in the end.
During the last 10 minutes of the match, the Faroes were mostly defending, but although Austria broke into the penalty area several times, the Faroe Islands held out and kept tight.