Arsenal defender Laura Wienroither will miss Austria’s second UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 group game against Northern Ireland on Monday with COVID-19.
The Austrian Football Association, The OFB, confirmed Wienroither’s positive COVID-19 test this afternoon. The player has immediately gone into isolation and faces a race against time to play any further part in the group stage.
The news is a real blow for Austria with the nation needing two good results from their next two group matches to have any chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Austria put in a solid display in their opening group game against England at Old Trafford on Wednesday despite losing 1-0. Wienroither played the full 90 minutes for Irene Fuhrmann’s side and was hugely impressive as she kept England forward Lauren Hemp relatively quiet.
Monday’s game against Northern Ireland in Southampton is very much a ‘must-win’ fixture for Austria. Victory would keep Fuhrmann’s side in the hunt for qualification from the group going into the final round of matches.
Austria are currently competing at just their second UEFA Women’s EURO. The nation made their EURO finals debut back in 2017 and they caused a huge surprise by reaching the semi-finals. If Austria can add goals to their solid structure in the next two games, there is no reason why they can’t be a force again.
About The Author
