The upcoming friendly match between Austria and South Korea marks the first encounter between the two national teams. This event highlights their contrasting football histories and talents.
Match Overview
This historical match will showcase the Austrian team, which is riding a wave of success at home. Austria remains unbeaten in their last 12 home matches, with a record of 9 wins and 3 draws. This streak ties their previous best, achieved in stretches from 1971 to 1975 and from 1922 to 1925.
Record-Setting Opportunities
Austria aims to break their all-time home unbeaten record established over 124 years ago. Their inaugural match took place in Vienna, where they convincingly defeated Hungary 5-0 in October 1902.
Player Highlights
- Marcel Sabitzer: Recently scored his 24th international goal, placing him among Austria’s top scorers.
- Michael Gregoritsch: Also reached the 24-goal milestone, tying with Sabitzer.
- Tae-Seok Lee: A notable member of the South Korean squad, currently playing for FK Austria Wien with 22 league appearances this season.
- Heung-min Son: South Korea’s most capped player with 141 appearances and second all-time goal scorer with 54 goals.
Recent Performance
In their last match, Sabitzer contributed significantly, achieving three goal involvements in a 5-1 victory against Ghana. This accomplishment marks the second time he has achieved this in international play.
Coaching Milestones
Austrian coach Ralf Rangnick recently marked his 25th victory in only 43 international matches, a record matched only by his predecessor Franco Foda at the same point in his coaching career.
New Faces in the Squad
Rangnick has introduced several players to the national team for the first time, including Florian Wiegele, Paul Wanner, Carney Chukwuemeka, and David Affengruber, who represent the new generation of ÖFB talent.
Summary
This friendly match presents a unique opportunity for both Austria and South Korea to showcase their footballing prowess and record histories. As Austria targets records, South Korea looks to its star players to make an impact.
