Lack of calm cost Koller's Austria

Macdara Ferris reports from Vienna: 

Austrian boss Marcel Koller rued his side’s lack of calm in front of goal which he claimed cost his team in Vienna against Ireland.

The 1-0 win for the Boys in Green leaves Austria with a tough task if they are to qualify for their first World Cup since 1998.

“We were not calm enough during the game to score goals,” said Koller speaking after he saw his Austria team lose on home turf to Ireland for the very first time.

“We are very disappointed today because we lost. We knew in advance it was going to be a close game and it was a close game.

“Congratulations to Ireland for their win. They were very compact and they ran a lot. Of course it was difficult for us. We lost a lot of balls in midfield.”

His team had put Ireland under significant pressure both early and late in the game.

The closest they came to scoring though was when Marcel Sabitzer hit the Irish cross-bar five minutes before half time. Marc Janko had two late headers which could well have earned Austria a point. The latter chance was an awful miss when he was free in the six-yard box deep in injury time.

“If we would have scored with Sabitzer, Ireland would have had to open up a bit. It didn’t happen in the end. That goal we conceded was from a counter attack. We lost the ball in the left and conceded at right back so that shouldn’t happen especially at home.

“We knew Ireland was going to play very defensive and after the goal they played even stronger in defence. As I said before if we don’t score, you aren’t going to win the game.”

The defeat means Austria are fourth in the table six points behind the Republic of Ireland who top the group. A late Serbian goal in Wales means the Serbs sit second in the table two points behind Ireland. Wales are third on six points with Austria a further two points behind Chris Coleman’s men.

“It was a big three points for Ireland. They are ahead of us and have a lot of self confidence now over the winter break. There are still six games left and 18 points. We know it is going to be difficult but we will do everything we can to be successful.”