Karel Brückner of "believing the impossible"

Although Austria's chances to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, manager Karel Brückner told UEFA that "we have to believe we can achieve the impossible."

Following two difficult losses, the Austrians return to play next Wednesday in a friendly against Sweden. Looking towards the match as a learning experience the manager said:

"We want to improve technically and tactically. We must focus on defence. In the last two games our defence conceded seven goals and was very poor."

Herr Brückner will make only one addition to his lineup, that being twenty-six year old Sturm Graz midfielder Mario Kienzl.

Realizing the key to improved play is great continuity with the squad, the manager added:

"The focus against Sweden is for the players who played in recent games to try and do things better."

a look at the team and Austrian Bundesliga

With seven members of Karel Brückner's squad in the Austrian Bundesliga I thought it best to provide you a quick review of matches involving internationals.

Possibly the best place to start is Red Bull Salzburg's match-up against Austria Wien yesterday as Red Bull possesses six present members of Austrian team on their roster; René Aufhauser, Christoph Leitgeb, Ronald Gercaliu and Marc Janko. With Red Bull Salzburg possessing a narrow three point lead on the defending champions Rapid Wien and five points above Austria Wien, this match was critically important. However Salzburg make a powerful statement and crushed Austria Wein 5-1, on the strength of three strikes from the goal-scoring machine Marc Janko (4', 12', 54') with Robin Nelisse and Karel Piták rounding out the scoring and Milenko Aćimović adding the lone goal for Austria Wien.

Defending league champions Rapid Wien possess strike-force Erwin Hoffer and Stefan Maierhofer in the lineup as well as U-21 Andreas Dober and holding pace with Red Bull Salzburg, only three points behind. Not to be outdone with Red Bull Salzburg's play, they easily defeated SC Rheindorf Altach 5-1, on two goals by Stefan Maierhofer and a superb hat-trick by former Hajduk Split-man, Nikica Jelavic.