World Cup qualification: embarrassments and vain victories

The legendary victory of the Faroe Islands troops, consisting of fishermen, sheep farmers, teachers, post officials and zip-cap goalie Jens Martin Knudsen, made headlines around the world. Players like Toni Polster, Andreas Herzog, Michael Konsel and Peter Pacult became laughing stock abroad and whipping boys at home, national coach Josef Hickersberger subsequently resigned.

18 years later, another embarrassing appearance against the Faroe Islands ushered in an ÖFB team boss farewell. On October 8, 2008, it was only enough to score 1-1 in the World Cup qualification in Torshavn, a few months later coach Karel Brückner was no longer in office.

In the remaining four duels Austria celebrated clear victories, but all of them were worthless. Despite a 3: 0 in May 1991 in Salzburg (European Championship qualification), a 3: 1 in September 2009 in Graz, a 6: 0 in March 2013 in Vienna and a 3: 0 in October 2013 in Torshavn (all World Cup qualification ) the respective finals were missed.

Balance sheet Austria – Faroe Islands

6 games – 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, goal difference 16: 3

September 12, 1990 (EM-Q), Landskrona (SWE): Faroe Islands – Austria 1-0

May 22, 1991 (EM-Q), Salzburg: Austria 3-0 Faroe Islands

October 11, 2008 (WM-Q), Torshavn: Faroe Islands – Austria 1: 1

September 5, 2009 (WM-Q), Graz: Austria – Faroe Islands 3: 1

March 22, 2013 (WM-Q), Vienna: Austria – Faroe Islands 6: 0

October 15, 2013 (WM-Q), Torshavn: Faroe Islands – Austria 0: 3