SM
Sunday, April 28
Upcoming predictions and previews
RO
World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage
Jun 11, 2017 at 5pm UK
 
AN

1-1

Walters (85')
FT(HT: 0-1)

Jonathan Walters goal helps Republic of Ireland draw with Austria

:Headline: Result: Jonathan Walters goal helps Republic of Ireland draw with Austria: ID:299943: from db_amp
A late goal from Jonathan Walters earns Republic of Ireland a potentially crucial 1-1 draw with Austria in Dublin.

Republic of Ireland have extended their unbeaten record in their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw with Austria.

Martin Hinteregger gave the visitors a first-half lead, but Jonathan Walters netted five minutes from time to earn Martin O'Neill's side a result which strengthens their position in Group D.

Regardless of the result between Serbia and Wales, they will sit in at least second position with just four fixtures remaining.

It was the visitors who began the stronger of the two sides with Zlatko Junuzovic getting a shot on goal as early as the fourth minute, but his effort was easily dealt with by Darren Randolph.

Throughout the opening quarter, Republic of Ireland offered very little in the final third but Walters should have done better with a shot from 16 yards out after good work from Stephen Ward and James McClean.

As the half-hour mark approached they were beginning to get on top, but Austria soon went in front when Hinteregger fired the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards after a well-constructed corner.

Republic of Ireland continued to create very little, with a scuffed attempt from Walters their only other opportunity in front of goal before the half-time whistle.

The home side forced the issue straight after the restart with Shane Duffy heading wide from 14 yards, but they were fortunate to avoid falling further behind when David Alaba fired wide from 14 yards out.

Harry Arter volleyed wide for the home side as they started to put Austria under more pressure, while McClean ignored the support of his teammates to shoot off target from outside of the box.

Austria remained a threat on the break but Ireland were beginning to have plenty of joy further forward, with Stefan Lainer fortunate not to divert the ball into his own net at the back post.

As the match ticked closer to the conclusion, Lainer went from near villain to hero as he cleared Kevin Long's goalbound header off the line to leave Austria just 10 minutes away from a hugely significant win.

With six minutes left, Florian Grillitsch was denied by a stunning intervention by Randolph, who got down to his left to tip his effort wide, and less than a minute more had been played before Ireland got their equaliser.

A long ball allowed Walters to challenge Aleksandar Dragovic and after holding off the attentions of the defender, he sent a brilliant volley into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Soon afterwards, Ireland had the ball in the net again after two players jumped above an Austrian defender to get it over the line, but the referee spotted a minor - and unclear - infringement.

After a sustained push during the second half, Ireland tired during added-on time but a point is enough for them to remain in a strong position to at least earn a playoff spot at the end of the year.

amp_article__299943 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2017-06-13 07:51:04:
html db last update - 2021-03-06 20:40:43 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
11Bournemouth34129134960-1145
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .