Torn relationships: Hickersberger and the conflict with Weber!

Torn relationships: Hickersberger and the conflict with Weber!

Austria's football can look back on a turbulent time in the run -up to the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Trainer Hans Krankl recently criticized the behavior of team boss Hickersberger. At a press conference, Hickersberger announced the name of Toni Polster as a new team captain, without previously discussing this decision with the players concerned, which led to anger at Manfred Zsak. This was planned as a designated captain and expressed that he felt violated by this public announcement. Hickersberger regrets the situation, but the tension between him and his players remains tense.

Another conflict takes its course when Heribert Weber only sits on the bench after the illness has survived in the decisive qualification game against the GDR. Weber reacts dissatisfied to non -consideration and is finally even sent home. In a heated discussion in ORF, Weber Hickersberger describes as a "human zero" and accuses him of only using it over two years. During the preparatory games for the World Cup, the fans demand Weber, which is ignored.

Toni Polster and the qualification

Toni Polster plays a crucial role in this tense atmosphere. At the World Cup qualification game against the GDR on November 15, 1989, Polster achieved its brilliant performance. Austria wins the game in the Vienna Prater Stadium 3-0 and thus qualifies for the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Before the game, the situation for the Austrian team was explosive after you had previously lost 0: 3 against Turkey. In group 3, the points, before this decisive match, had the following distribution: USSR 9, Türkiye, GDR and Austria each.

The kick -off, originally scheduled for 7:30 p.m., was brought forward to 6:00 p.m. 4,000 GDR citizens had traveled to follow the game. Polster, who was initially booed by the fans, scored the first goal in the 2nd minute and converted a penalty to 2-0 in the 22nd minute. The third goal, which cushions scored in the 61st minute, also ensured victory. After the game, Polster described this day as the most beautiful of his career, even if he cocked the round of honor due to the previous whistles.

context on World Cup history

The World Cup, to which Austria has now qualified, has a long and eventful history. The first FIFA World Cup took place in Uruguay in 1930 and was launched by French football officials, led by Jules Rimet. So far, the tournament has experienced numerous changes in the show mode, from the first World Cup tournaments with only 13 teams to different knockout systems to today's form with 32 participating teams that have competed against each other since 1998.

While the World Cup brings new hopes for Austria, uncertainty about team dynamics and tensions within the squad remains. Upholsten's services could be crucial to lead Austria to successful participation, even if the criticism that was shown is still in the room.

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