Israel football team arrives in Hörsching ahead of Austria match

Israel’s national football team arrived at Linz Airport in Hörsching, in the Linz-Land district, on Sunday ahead of Thursday’s Nations League match against Austria, ORF reported. Former Israel coaches Andreas Herzog and Willi Ruttensteiner expect Austria to win.

Herzog and Ruttensteiner will follow the match in Linz with particular interest. Both worked for many years with the Austrian Football Association before becoming Israel coaches, and both recorded wins over Austria in that role.

“Austria are clear favourites because they have an extremely experienced team internationally,” Ruttensteiner told the APA. He also pointed to major changes in the Austrian squad. “There is the beginning of a transition, and it will be interesting to see how things develop when long-standing leaders are no longer involved.”

Herzog agreed. “Alaba, Arnautovic and Sabitzer shaped the national team over the past ten years. Now others will have to step up,” he said. He believes Austria remain strong in defence, while the team can welcome Sasa Kalajdzic’s return to LASK and Michael Gregoritsch’s goalscoring form.

Herzog warns against decline

Herzog said shortcomings in Austria’s attacking development were now becoming apparent because too much emphasis had been placed on defending in recent years. He called on national and club coaches to develop players like David Alaba, Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer again.

“I do not currently see anyone like Alaba or Arnautovic,” Herzog said, describing the pair as exceptional talents. The former Austria international, who won 103 caps, warned against a gradual decline. Austria must not lose the belief that they can beat any opponent, he said, or they could return to being an average team.

Herzog said Austria had good chances of securing a home win. Israel are more confident and stronger in home matches than away games, he said. During his time as Israel coach from 2018 to 2020, the team beat Austria 4-2 in Haifa in a European Championship qualifier on March 24, 2019.

Israel still has attacking options

Ruttensteiner was Israel’s sporting director at the time. One and a half years later, he led Israel as coach to a 5-2 World Cup qualifying win over Austria in Haifa. Eran Zahavi scored five goals across those two matches, while former Salzburg player Munas Dabbur scored once in each game. Neither player is still involved.

Herzog nevertheless said Israel remained well supplied in attack, naming former Salzburg player Oscar Gloukh, now at Ajax, West Ham United’s Manor Solomon and former WAC striker Tai Baribo. “These players have real quality,” he said.

Israel have reached only one major tournament, the 1970 World Cup. Herzog said the desire to qualify again was enormous, but added that competition in Europe was difficult. The political situation also prevents Israel from playing home matches, at least in the coming months. The Nations League return match against Austria will therefore take place in Debrecen, Hungary, on November 17.

“That is a major disadvantage for Israel,” said Ruttensteiner, who now works for the world governing body as a project manager in the FIFA Talent Coach Programme.