3 September 2014
I awarded the captain's armband to
Thomas Girstmair, a decision that was almost universally approved by the team. My decision especially pleased a few of the veterans, who had expressed their concerns about the youthful nature of the squad at a team meeting. Goalkeeper
Nicolas Matt is the vice-captain.
That positive vibe was shaken the next day, when central defender
Pius Hug planted his foot wrong in a training exercise and broke his foot! He'll be out for at least four months, and his injury leaves us even weaker in a spot where we're already far from strong. I called up
Sandro Schurte, the closest thing to a natural left back in our player pool, to take Pius's spot. Sandro, 22, plays in the Austrian lower divisions, and he's got decent speed and defensive awareness.
Today's opponent, Bolivia, entered the match ranked 71st in the world. They're faster, more skilled, and more experienced than we are, and they were expected to roll to an easy result.
Here's the team I selected for my first match as Liechtenstein manager:
GK: Nicolas Matt
D: Sandro Schurte, Enis Zech, Jürgen Wohlwend, Niklas Matt
M: Mathias Girstmair, Thomas Girstmair
AM: Manuel Goop, Mario Frommelt, Martin Hilti
ST: Ecki Batliner
A crowd of 3,247 turned out at Rheinpark Stadion in our capital, Vaduz. They saw us create two good chances in the opening minutes of the game. Bolivia 'keeper Ovido Saavedra turned Goop's drive away, and Batliner sent one fizzing just wide of Saavedra's right post.
Just past the half hour, Frommelt delivered a cross from the right side, and Goop found enough space at Saavedra's far post to tuck it inside.
Liechtenstein were up, 1-0!
Bolivia started the second half on the front foot. After Thomas Girstmair fouled a streaking Bolivia attacker just outside the area, substitute Ramiro Flores fired in a free kick that Nicolas Matt nearly got his fingers on.
La Verde nearly scored again, when some poor defensive positioning left Roberto Mendez alone on the left wing. He crossed to Oliver Justiniano, whose shot from very close range was batted away by Matt.
When the final whistle blew, we'd held a dangerous opponent to
a 1-1 draw. Our supporters were elated, and veteran Jurg Zech, who had been among the curmudgeons who'd questioned my team selection earlier in the week, called the match "one of the proudest moments in Liechtensteiner football."
Austria awaits, so we won't have long to enjoy the feeling.
