Faroe Islands vs Austria

Torsvollur is the venue as the Faroe Islands and Austria square off in what could well be a decisive World Cup qualifier for both sides.

Despite beating Group F whipping boys Moldova 2-1 at home last time out to snap a four-match losing World Cup qualifying streak, the Faroe Islands’ hopes of securing their first-ever World Cup finals appearance look unrealistic. Since outscoring Austria 1-0 in their first-ever qualification match of any kind back in September 1990, the hosts have gone winless in their subsequent six World Cup/Euro qualifying H2Hs (D1, L5), losing the last four in a row by an aggregate scoreline of 15-2. Curiously, since being held to a 1-1 draw to Latvia in their UEFA Nations League encounter in October 2020, none of the Faroe Islands’ last six internationals on home soil have ended level (W3, L3). As four of those six matches (won/lost) have seen the victor keep a clean sheet, scoring first could be of the essence here.

In the meantime, Austria’s efforts to qualify for their first World Cup finals since 1998 will hinge on their bounce-back ability, having lost their last two Group F matches by an aggregate score of 6-2. A thoroughly disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign so far has seen the Austrians win just two of their six games (D1, L3), though one of those successes came at the expense of their hosts. Franco Foda’s side can ill-afford a slip-up against the 114th-ranked opposition here if they are to bridge a four-point deficit on second-placed Scotland. Austria’s defensive woes will no doubt raise concerns among the traveling fans, with ‘Das Team’ managing just three clean sheets in their last 14 international outings.