Football, Austria: A few days after missing out on qualifying for the World Cup, Franco Foda announced his resignation as the boss of the Austrian national football team. The 55-year-old German told a news conference on Monday that he took full responsibility for the failure. So this Tuesday his 48th international against Scotland will be his last. “I’ve been thinking a lot over the last few days. I finally made my decision yesterday evening. It was still rumored that I might have the option of extending my contract. But it didn’t matter to me anymore, because I took responsibility for it”, boils.
The most important thing in the current situation is a calm return. He informed the team about his decision on Monday morning, it was very emotional. “It was a great honor for me to coach and work with this team,” Foda said. “It was a great four-and-a-half years. My successor can look forward to a team with impeccable character that is good and has a lot of potential for growth.” Austrians missed out on a World Cup appearance in Qatar in late autumn after beating Wales 2-1 on Thursday evening. Foda’s contract would have ended on March 31 due to the failure. He took over the team in autumn 2017 as Marcel Koller’s successor. Under him, FB Selection managed, among other things, the first victory in a European Championship final last summer. But Austria has been waiting to participate in the World Cup since 1998. FB president Gerhard Miletich announced after the World Cup that a decision should be made on the position of team boss and, if necessary, Foda’s successor by the end of April at the latest.
Foda has won 27 of their 47 matches so far. Only Hugo Meisel had won more on 71. But in the past four and a half years, Foda has not won a competitive game against a team ahead of Austria in the world rankings.
Football, World Cup: Canada has qualified for the final of the Football World Cup for the second time since 1986. Without Bayern Munich’s Alfonso Davies, England coach John Hardemann’s side snatched the required one point before the final day of the CONCACAF group as they beat Jamaica 4–0 (2–0) in front of 30,000 spectators in Toronto. Canada had lost all three preliminary round matches at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and did not score a goal.
The United States and Mexico (with 25 points each) have the best chance of finishing the other two at the World Cup. Former Dortmund player Christian Pulisic scored three goals as USA beat Panama 5-1 (4-0) in Orlando and could even suffer a loss against fourth-placed Costa Rica (22 points) on the last day of play . The Americans have a goal difference that is ten goals better. Mexico won 1–0 (0–0) in Honduras and would take at least third place with one point against El Salvador and thus secure participation in the World Cup. The fourth in the CONCACAF group – USA, Mexico or Costa Rica – will play an international play-off against the winners of at least the Oceania group. The opponent will be decided on Wednesday between New Zealand and the Solomon Islands.
Golf, World Rankings: Professional golfer Scotty Schaeffler has topped the world rankings for the first time in his career. The 25-year-old American won the Match Play Championship in Austin in the final against Kevin Kissner. Due to success in the US state of Texas, he replaced Jon Rahm of Spain as number one in the world. “I never really got so far in my dreams,” said Scheffler, who cried after the win. “I like to play golf. I love to compete. I’m happy to be here.” According to the AP news agency, Schaeffler is the sixth youngest player to be ranked number one in the world since rankings began in 1986. Scheffler said he is delighted with the success in the presence of friends and family. “I don’t feel like the world number one. I feel like the man I was four months ago and I hope that doesn’t change.”
Tennis, Miami: Tennis Olympic champion Alexander Zverev made it to the round of 16 without much effort at the ATP Masters in Miami. The 24-year-old from Hamburg defeated Mackenzie MacDonald (USA) 6-2, 6-2 in the third round to face Australian Thanasi Kokinakis. Zverev converted the second ball of the match after 74 minutes. Number two Zverev is the last German participant in the $8.5 million tournament in Florida. On Saturday, Oscar Otte (Cologne) crashed out of in-form Frenchman Gael Monfils 6:7 (9:11), 1:6 in the second round.
