VIENNA -- Austria earned a crucial 2-1
win over Israel in their World Cup European group seven
qualifier on Wednesday.
The Austrians moved into second place on eight points, two
behind Spain but two clear of Israel.
Although unimpressive, the bigger, stronger Austrians were
good enough for all three points, particularly in the first half
when all the goals were scored.
Austria's Michael Baur turned from villain to hero within
the space of three minutes when he first put the ball in the
back of his own net in the sixth minute to give Israel an early
and unexpected lead.
But he made amends within three minutes when he struck a
powerful header, connecting with a free kick coming in from the
right to make the score 1-1.
Baur was again in the thick of the action when in the 12th
minute he brought down Avi Nimni in the area but Israel captain
Tal Banin missed the penalty.
The match was settled in the 41st minute by another penalty
when veteran Israeli defender Amir Shelah was judged to have
handled.
This time Austrian captain Andreas Herzog, playing in his
86th international, blasted home a powerful shot.
A minute from the end Israel's Eyal Berkovic put the ball in
the net but he was flagged offside.
Bosnia keeps hopes alive with win over Liechtenstein
VADUZ, Liechtenstein -- Bosnia kept alive
their faint hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals on
Wednesday with a 3-0 win against minnows Liechtenstein, their
first victory in qualifying group seven.
In a dramatic finish to an otherwise lacklustre match,
substitute Almedin Hota shot through the goalkeepers legs in the
89th minute to wrap up the three points, just eight minutes
after he come on a a substitute for Elvir Baljic.
Hamburg SV's Sergej Barbarez, the top scorer in the
Bundesliga this season, scored Bosnia's first two goals after 10
and 72 minutes but he missed out on a hat-trick when 19-year-old
Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle saved his 80th minute
penalty, awarded after forward Marko Topic was fouled.
It was one of nine saves by Jehle in a match played largely
in the Bosnian half.
Bosnian coach Miso Smajlovic, who had been so depressed by
the insults shouted from the crowd after the 1-1 draw against
Austria in Sarajevo on Saturday that he had failed to turn up to
the post-match news conference, was in buoyant mood this time.
"The game was very good, very combative. Both teams played
very responsibly. Liechtenstein gave us a lot of trouble but we
won by being disciplined," he said.
"The main thing is that we remain in the race for the second
place in Group Seven."
Spain lead the standings with 10 points from 4 matches,
followed by Austria (8 from 4), Israel (6 from 4), Bosnia (4
from 4) and Liechtenstein (0 from 4).
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