Fate kick-off times annoy FLF women in the fight for the climb

It is the last home game in this campaign of the Nations League and the return to the place where a lot began. Luxembourg’s national soccer team of women will play their next international match in Beggen. On Friday next week, she fights for the promotion in the Stade Henri Dunant against Armenia, as well as at the end of the group phase four days later in Kazakhstan.

In Beggen, the DAN Santos team had ran in 0: 3 against Bulgaria in September 2020, the first international match in the national life of the national coach. After that, many home duels took place in the Fola Stadium in Esch/Alzette. Due to another event in Esch, relocation was relocated this time. « We look forward to the game in Beggen. But I want a better result than in 2020. I hope that many spectators will come who support us, » said Santos, who used to be a club coach in Beggen, on Thursday in Monnerich at the announcement of the squad.

Almost five years after Santos’ debut, with which a noticeable upswing began, the progress is impressive. The FLF women have won a good starting position in the Nations League. In group three of League C, you are three points ahead of Kazakhstan. The chance of historical ascent to League B seems to be within reach.

« Back then I said that the development is important to me. You can see that the development is on the right track. There is always something that can be improved. We take one step after the other, » says Santos. If his team ends the campaign as the league leader and thus rise, « that would be a very big step forward. »

So far, the Luxembourg women in their group have been unbeaten. After the 2: 2 at the start against Kazakhstan, they drove three victories, most recently they won two away games in a row at the beginning of April. The 3-1 in Armenia was followed by a 3-2 in Liechtenstein.

There are several changes in the squad before the last two games. Santos nominated seven players who were not there in April, including four newcomers. Amal Cherkane, Lena Alves, Hannah Dietrich and Charlie Jorge, the younger sister of regular player Caroline Jorge, are in the A selection for the first time. Olivia Konsbrück, Anna Miny and Vera Villegas return. Rachel Kirps, Andreia Faria, Philippa Costa and Gioia Fiorucci are missing for school reasons.

Long journey

The question is open who will be guarding the Luxembourg gate in the two games. The previous number one, Lucie Schlimé, was injured in April and well represented by Joy Jung. Both are now fighting for their efforts in training. According to Santos, the coaching team only wants to decide shortly before the Armenia game.

Right in the morning after the game in Beggen, the team goes to one of the longest trips that are possible in the UEFA catchment area. The last group game will take place on June 3 in Almaty against Kazakhstan. The FLF delegation arrives on Sunday night in the largest metropolis in the Central Asian country. Because all games of the last game day have to start at the same time and set up by UEFA to 7 p.m. CEST, the duel between the Luxembourgers against Kazakhstan is only kicked off at 10 p.m. local time due to the three -hour time shift.

« The fact that we play so late is very unhappy and not okay from UEFA, » said Santos, who had hoped for a generally earlier kick -off time around 5 p.m. CEST. « It will be a very long day for us. We have to adapt quickly, » said the national coach.