Austria Tests Turkey in Friendly

The Austrian national football team before their European Championship qualifier against Turkey on 6 Sept., 2011 in Vienna’s Happel-Stadion | Photo: WikiCommons/Steindy

The Austrian national team prepares for the long road to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with a friendly against Turkey on home turf Wednesday night.

Most of the 24 players selected by head coach Marcel Koller played in the last two international matches against Ukraine and Romania in June; Christoph Leitgeb notably returns after a two-year hiatus. The Swiss manager has also tapped Christian Fuchs as new team captain, and will hope to commence a new era in Austrian football, as they prepare for the big first clash of their qualifying against Germany on the same pitch on 11 Sept.

Austria hold a slight edge in their 14 previous encounters, having won seven and lost six. Their last meeting in Sept. 2011 was the only tie between the two foes, a scoreless draw in Vienna.

15 Aug., 20:30
Ernst-Happel-Stadion
(01) 96096 555
www.oefb.at