Hickersberger hoping for perfect blend
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
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With only four friendlies left before UEFA EURO 2008™, Austria head coach Josef Hickersberger is looking for experience to bring out the best in his young team.
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With only four friendly matches left before UEFA EURO 2008™, Austria coach Josef Hickersberger is publicly promising to stick to his policy of relying on young players to revive the fortunes of the national team – although there are signs he is increasingly prepared to find a role for experience in his side.
Trio recalled
For his team's first match of the year, against Germany in Vienna, Hickersberger has recalled Roland Linz, Thomas Prager and Emanuel Pogatetz with the first two players having been left out since a 2-0 home defeat by Chile in September, while Pogatetz has not featured since September 2006 after criticising the coach. Prager has been a peripheral figure at SC Heerenveen this season but is desperate to earn a place in the final 23-man squad for this summer's tournament. "It's great the coach has picked me again. I will give everything I have in every minute I play," said the midfielder.
Hickersberger warnings
Linz has enjoyed more success at club level this season, scoring nine goals in just 13 Portuguese Liga starts for SC Braga, although Hickersberger warns that in itself will not gurantee him a place. "His performance for his club is not the only thing. His motivation in training must also be right," said the Austria coach, who has also buried the hatchet with Middlesbrough FC defender Pogatetz. "With Emanuel, the first thing is to integrate him into the team and see whether or not he is a positive for the group dynamic," Hickersberger added.
Experience missing
Wigan Athletic FC defender Paul Scharner is also hoping for a recall having gone back on his original decision to retire from international football last year, although the Austria coach says a comeback is unlikely. "I explained to Scharner last year that he needed to be with the team during the build-up in order to have a chance for the EURO," said Hickersberger. The 2007 Austrian Player of the Year, 38-year-old LASK Linz forward Ivica Vastic, is another experienced player to find himself left out by Hickersberger, and although there are suggestions both players might yet be involved this summer the coach seems resolute, saying: "We decided to make the team younger, and I will not change my opinion on that."
