Austria suffered bitter defeat

Austria have suffered bitter 2-1 defeat from Turkey 2-1 in a friendly match played in Vienna as a part of preparations for the upcoming European Championship in France. Junuzovic struck for the hosts who, despite the lead suffered defeat with goals  from the Bayer Leverkusen`s "playmaker" Hakan Calhanoglu and Barcelona`s  midfielder Arda Turan.

 

- I'm happy for the players and for the victory which is very important for our team, we wanted to continue our winning streak. Austria is a strong team without defeat in qualifiers and we knew how hard is to beat them at home soil, said Calhanoglu.

Turkey advanced to the final round in France, as one of the best third placed team. Narrow victory over Iceland managed in 89 minute opened the gates to France. There they will meet Croatia, the Czech Republic and Spain.

- It's hard to say how it will be there, you have to go step by step, we have a tough group won`t be an easy task but our goal is to qualify for the knockout phase - said the free kicks expert Hakan Calhanoglu.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim raises euphoria in the wake of European Championship. Turkey in this mini preparatory period recorded two wins over Sweden 2-1 and Austria 2-1.

- Each victory won at international level is important and significant. Of course we are happy with this victory, which will raise the morale of the team. Our chances in EC? It is still early to talk about it there is enough time to matches in France. - said the popular Emperor Fatih Terim.

After a series of victories, Austria had to "poke" hand and to congratulate. Team Engine David Alaba, stressed that the "red-white" well played but fail to reach the goal.

- This is a bitter defeat. We`ve wanted strongly to win, we`ve done more than our opponent but they take advantage of our mistakes. Both goals were scored by our mistakes. - said the Bayern Munich player.

Dynamo Kiev defender Aleksandar Dragovic believes that they can take something from this defeat. The goal of the Calhanoglu was the turning point. 

- These are goals that you have nothing much to do. We knew that Hakan has a great kick, just against us he managed to show it. We can be satisfied with the efforts, certainly not with the result. Mistakes happen in football, and this defeat was come as a result of our mistakes. Until EC we have plenty of time, what is important to learn a lesson and not to donate bowing to our opponents. - Dragovic said.

Austria before the EC will play two friendly matches. First against Malta, and the on June 4 against the Netherlands in Vienna.

Koller extended his contract till WC 2018

Swiss Marcel Koller will lead the football selection of Austria in the next two seasons through qualifiers for 2018 World Cup in Russia. Koller whose contract expires at the end of the European Championship in France in Julu has committed to an additional two years allegiance.

- Unlike the last time, now the pressure was lower. We wanted to take off the pressure, before our upcoming preperations for European Championship in France. So instead of my contract we can talk about football topics. - said Koller after announcing the collaboration.

Under the regime of Koller, Austria supremely qualified to EC in France, series of good results placed the "ski" nation among the top 10 in the world. Before “the Koller Era”, "red-white" were placed at 77 positiion of the FIFA rankings.

- Our goal is to present us in good light in France and to maintain our present in major competitions,  like next World Cup in Russia. - emphasized Kohler.

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For him, despite good financial offer, it is important that the Co-team that he worked with in the last four years also remained. Austria first test games before meeting in France will be later this month also against teams who will travel to Paris. Against Albania will play against 26, and against Turkey on 29 March. In Koller`s squad for these meetings returns injured goalkeeper Robert Almer, who is the only player to play in the Austrian Bundesliga. New name is Schalke`s midfielder Alessandro Shop.

- If there are no surprises or injuries this will be 23-man squad that will travel to France. The door is not closed to anybody, not somebody have guaranteed place, but as things stand at present it is a selection that will us represent in Paris - underlined Koller.

Austria EC in France is in Group F along with the national teams of Portugal, Hungary and Iceland.