Five games, five wins, 14 goals scored, and one conceded. Austria’s FIFA U-17 World Cup™ campaign has been nothing short of exceptional.
Hermann Stadler’s team have been near-flawless throughout the tournament, and a stunning 4-0 last-16 victory over England cemented their status as title contenders.
Austria have consistently performed with flair, imagination and dynamism, and forward Hasan Deshishku has been at the heart of their expressive attacking play. He shone again against England and his fine individual goal just after half-time – when he nutmegged Three Lions defender Bendito Mantato before lashing home a near-post finish – gave his team a deserved lead.
Deshishku’s speed, close control and balance make him a thrill to view in full flight. Speaking to FIFA in the aftermath of his team’s famous win, the Austria Vienna ace provided an insight into his football inspirations.
“For me, I love to watch Vinicius Jr and also Neymar,” said Deshishku, who has scored four goals at the U-17 World Cup. “I like Neymar’s tricks a lot. I enjoy the Brazilian style, the jogo bonito!”
On the night when Austria’s senior national team qualified for the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time since 1998, the nation’s U-17 side displayed the impressive reserves of talent coming through the ranks.
They exploded out of the blocks against England and were unfortunate not to forge ahead in the first half, striking the post and seeing two efforts cleared off the line.
Deshishku’s brilliance ensured they finally went in front on 47 minutes and, after England’s Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez was sent off soon after, they plundered three further unanswered goals.
“With this team, we play offensive football and score goals,” added Deshishku. “We just love playing together.
“We won 4-0 and it was very beautiful. We could have scored even more. For my goal, I played the ball between the defender’s legs, and then also between the keeper’s legs. It was a nice goal, I think.”
He added: “We know we are very good, that we are a very strong team, a family. I know if we play like we can in every game, then we can beat everybody. I hope we can go into the final and win that.”
Deshishku’s strike was followed by two goals from Johannes Moser – the first from the penalty spot – and another from Ifeanyi Ndukwe as the Austrians put England to the sword. Moser, who has scored five times at the tournament so far, was quick to pay tribute to the player who opened the scoring.
“Myself and Hasan know each other very well,” he said. “He is a very good player with his dribbling and shooting. He has great instinct to score goals.”
Moser also opened up on the confidence coursing through an Austria side who will take on Japan in the quarter-finals on Friday.
“It is a very special feeling when we produce a performance like this,” he said. “We give everything to represent Austria in the best way we can.
“Our captain (defender Jakob Pokorny) gave a very good speech before the game. He said we are the best team in the World Cup, and we want to show the world who we are.”
