The last international break of the year has come to an end. It was a particularly successful time away for Philipp Lienhart, Ritsu Doan and Merlin Röhl. All three were on the scoresheet for their respective national teams.
Head coach Ralf Rangnick once again called up Philipp Lienhart and Michael Gregoritsch to the Austria national team. Austria were in action away from home in Estonia in a European Championships qualifier. Both Lienhart and Gregoritsch started the game and Lienhart scored his first international goal with a header after Konrad Laimer had put Austria ahead.
Austria then took on Germany in a friendly a couple of days later in Vienna, running out 2-0 winners. Both SC Freiburg players were also in the starting line-up for this game. Lienhart and his teammates finished second behind Belgium in Group F in European Championships qualifying, securing their place at EURO 2024.
Ritsu Doan and Japan took on Myanmar at home in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Doan started the game for Japan and scored the final goal in their comfortable 5-0 win. Doan then came off the bench in their qualification game in Syria, which Japan also won 5-0.
Germany U21s head coach Antonio Di Salvo called up Merlin Röhl and Noah Atubolu for the two European Championships qualification games against Estonia and Poland in Paderborn and Essen. Germany ran out 4-1 winners against Estonia, with Atubolu and Röhl both starting the game. Both SC Freiburg players were also in the starting line-up for the 3-1 win against Poland. The game was particularly enjoyable for Röhl as he scored his side’s third goal of the night. Germany U21 moved into first place in their group as a result of their two wins, leapfrogging Poland in the process.
Kiliann Sildillia was also involved in qualification for the U-21 European Championships. Sildillia played for France U21s, who are top of Group H, in Austria, but they fell to a 2-0 defeat. Sildillia started the game, whilst France remain top of the group despite the loss.
An overview of the fixtures:
Philipp Lienhart, Michael Gregoritsch | Austria
Thu., 16.11, 18:30 CET, Estonia vs. Austria | 0-2
Tue., 21.11, 20:45 CET, Austria vs. Germany | 2-0
Ritsu Doan | Japan
Thu., 16.11, 11:00 CET, Japan vs. Myanmar | 5-0
Tue., 21.11, 15:45 CET, Syria vs. Japan | 0-5
Noah Atubolu, Merlin Röhl | Germany U21s
Fri., 17.11, 18:00 CET, Germany vs. Estonia | 4-1
Tue., 21.11, 18:00 CET, Germany vs. Poland | 3-1
Kiliann Sildillia | France U21s
Fri., 17.11, 18:30 CET, Austria vs. France | 2-0
Mika Baur | Germany U20s
Fri., 17.11, 17:00 CET, Romania vs. Germany | 0-1
Mon., 20.11, 18:00 CET, Germany vs. England | 2-3