By Ger McCarthy
8 mins – Janko goes close
Following the concession of a couple of early corner kicks, Marc Janko gains possession from a David Alaba in-swinger, turns Shane Duffy and fires a shot that requires Darren Randolph to make a smart stop.
13 mins – Ireland’s first opportunity
The Republic of Ireland weather a difficult period and move the ball to the edge of the Austrian penalty area. James McClean latches onto a loose pass and wallops a deflected right-footed effort inches past Ramazan Ozcan’s upright.
23 mins – Whelan has to come off
Martin O’Neill loses the services of one of his most experienced midfielders when Glen Whelan is forced to retire injured after 23 minutes. David Meyler comes off the bench to earn his 18th cap. The enforced switch sees Martin O’Neill revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
39 mins – The crossbar comes to Ireland’s rescue
Marcel Sabitzer gets on the end of a flowing Austrian move and dinks a shot over the out-rushing Darren Randolph. The crossbar comes to Ireland’s rescue however and Shane Duffy is on hand to block Marc Janko’s shot from the rebound.
44 mins – Walters must score
One of Ireland’s best moments arrives one minute before the break when Robbie Brady and Wes Hoolahan combine brilliantly down the left flank and the former whips a cross into the Austrian six-yard box. Jonathan Walters meets the centre but can only divert his shot off the crossbar and over.
49 mins – McClean finds the net
David Meyler dispossesses Kevin Wimmer deep in Ireland’s half and finds Wes Hoolahan in space. The Norwich City playmaker carves open the Austrian defence with an exquisite pass for James McClean who thunders a shot under Ramazan Ozcan from a narrow angle.
58 mins – Randolph saves
A Jonathan Walters effort is correctly ruled out for offside ahead of Austrian substitute Louis Schaub making his presence felt. The young midfielder’s long-range attempt is brilliantly saved by Darren Randolph.
72 mins – Brady out of the Wales game
Robbie Brady receives a needless yellow card for kicking the ball away and as a result, will miss the Republic of Ireland’s next World Cup qualifier at home to Wales next March.
93 mins – Janko misses a sitter
Austria waste a glorious chance of a late equaliser when Marc Janko somehow misses the target with a diving header from six yards out.
