In addition to Meixner and Schafzahl, they also had to do without other supports this week. In addition, head coach Alexander Bröms cannot yet be with his protégés for personal reasons. Sarah Hodges took over for him on an interim basis.
Japan, which has been represented in the top division since 2019 and successfully qualified for the Olympic Games for the fourth time in a row, got off to a brilliant start. Austria braced itself against the rolling attacks. It was thanks to Anja Adamitsch that we were only 0-1 behind after the first third. The red-white-red goalkeeper generally had a busy evening. Japan recorded 59 shots, but really bit their teeth against Adamitsch.
In the middle third, however, she couldn’t prevent the preliminary decision in favor of the guests and increased Japan’s lead to 5-0 within twelve minutes. Austria fought self-sacrificingly and was rewarded. Thanks to Lena Dauböck’s goal in the 52nd minute, they won the final third 1-0, but ultimately lost 5-1.
Head Coach Sarah Hodges: “We can take a lot of positive things from this game. Japan is preparing for the Olympics and therefore competed with the full squad. We only had a short preparation, the players did well and I’m pleased that we were able to win the third period. We didn’t manage to keep the game simple and took a few penalties. I am convinced that the team is improving. We will now prepare for next week and are looking forward to the tournament.”
Antonia Matzka, captain: “There’s a lot to learn after a game like this. It’s incredibly cool to compete against an Olympic starter. We were a very young, somewhat inexperienced team, but the effort was right and what we’re particularly proud of is that we won the third period after we had a snag in the middle third.”
Emma Kleinlercher: “My debut was definitely emotional. It was a high pace, but a great experience. We held up well and fought. I hope that I can recommend myself for the A-Team again in the future.”
Friendly international match
Austria vs. Japan 1:5 (0:1, 0:4, 1:0)
Wed., January 28, 2026, 6:15 p.m., Olympiaworld Innsbruck
Goal scorer Austria: Lena Dauböck (52.)
Goal scorers Japan: Umeka Odaira (10th), Kanami Seki (22nd), Mei Miura (25th/PP), Yumeka Wajima (31st), Riri Noro (34th)
Austria
Goalkeepers: Selma Luggin, Anja Adamitsch
Line 1: Hannah Leitner, Charlotte Wittich, Leonie Kutzer, Katharina Killius, Lena Artner
Line 2: Artemis Tekin, Antonia Matzka, Lena Dauböck, Tamina Schall, Hanna Obermayr
Line 3: Laura Nagy, Alina Hinum, Hanna Schwarzer, Amelie Suppan, Selina Gentilini
Line 4: Meilan Haberl, Ana Khalhammer, Emma Kleinlercher, Florentina Rumpl
eishockey.at , Image: Nicolas Zangerle/NZ Photos
