Stefan Lainer fights with the ÖFB team for the last chance for a World Cup ticket. Why Austria has better chances than superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Showdown on Thursday! Austria is forced to win in Wales, otherwise the dream of participating in the World Cup will burst. Cardiff sees the first of two possible knockout games en route to the finals in Qatar. The second, against the winner of the Scotland-Ukraine match, was postponed to June because of the Ukraine war.
ÖFB star Stefan Lainer is confident. The Gladbach legionnaire replies to “Bild” when asked whether Lainer or Cristiano Ronaldo is going to the World Cup: “Stefan Lainer! Portugal wasn’t quite as lucky in the draw, first with Turkey and then probably with European champions Italy… “
A declaration of war before the play-off!
Lainer on Austria’s opponents: “We were very lucky in the draw, it could have been a lot worse. But Wales, Scotland and Ukraine are also difficult opponents. Of course we’ll do everything we can to make our dream of the World Cup come true – A tournament like this is something very special.”
For Ronaldo and Portugal, the 2016 European champions, things will get really tight. The Manchester United superstar has to tremble for what may be his last chance at another World Cup participation. He may only see Lainer and Co. from the couch at the end of the year…
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