Kalajdzic strikes late as Austria edge out Ireland

UEFA Nations League Group B

Austria 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland’s hopes of securing top spot and automatic promotion to League A were ended by Austria after they suffered a 1-0 defeat in their penultimate Nations League Group B3 game at the Raiffeisen Arena.

Substitute Sasa Kalajdzic poked home from a corner to score the winner on 79 minutes as Austria preserved their unbeaten home record, which stretches back to October 2023.

The defeat in Linz, Republic of Ireland’s second away loss in the group, leaves Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side third, a point behind Kosovo, who they face in their final game on Tuesday.

A win in that fixture in Dublin would ensure a second-place finish and Republic of Ireland’s place in pot two for the Euro 2028 qualifying draw in December.

Austria, who fought back from two goals down to take a point against the Irish in Dublin last month, started well and tested Caoimhin Kelleher just two minutes in as he was forced to get down low to turn Christoph Baumgartner’s deflected strike behind.

The Irish grew into the game and threatened for the first time on 22 minutes as Troy Parrott connected with Dara O’Shea’s delivery from the left, but his acrobatic effort was dealt with by Alexander Schlager.

The Real Betis striker went close again soon after when his rising strike from range was tipped over by the goalkeeper.

At the other end, Kelleher produced a fine reflex save to push Christoph Lang’s half-volley over the crossbar before Michael Gregoritsch, who scored in the 2-2 draw in Dublin, then blasted over.

Austria continued to push for the opener in the second half as Gregoritsch’s glancing header from a corner landed on the roof of the net and Kelleher then made two good saves to thwart Kevin Danso and Baumgartner.

The RB Leipzig midfielder looked certain to break the deadlock after the hour mark when he raced into the box, but skewed a shot horribly wide.

Momentum shifted back to Republic of Ireland in this end-to-end encounter as Ryan Manning and Parrott both drew flying saves from Schlager.

Gregoritsch’s fizzing strike from a short free-kick routine was saved by Kelleher, before the hosts did make a spell of sustained pressure count 11 minutes from time.

Gregoritsch met a deep corner and headed the ball back across goal, with Kelleher only able to push the ball into the path of Kalajdzic, who stabbed home on the line.

Substitute Chiedozie Ogbene squandered a golden chance to equalise on 86 minutes as he headed straight at Schlager after connecting with Liam Scales’ super ball in as the Irish left Linz empty handed.

Hallgrimsson spoke in the build-up to the game that he wanted his side to cut out mistakes and be braver in Linz.

He emphasised that second point by selecting an attack-minded line-up.

Finn Azaz dropped into a deeper roll to accommodate Adam Idah and Jack Moylan behind Parrott after the three linked so well in the 3-0 win over Israel, as the Irish chased a victory which would keep their hopes of winning the group alive.

After a shaky opening, Hallgrimsson’s side settled and produced a spirited display, but they ultimately lacked the clinical edge to finish any of the numerous opportunities they created.

Their talisman Parrott, who had 10 goals in his last seven competitive games but is without a goal in eight for his club, failed to beat Schlager with his three clear-cut chances while Idah and Moylan cut peripheral figures in a frustrating evening in front of goal.

The ever-reliable Kelleher kept the Irish in the game at times with some big saves in an entertaining game, but he was powerless to stop Kalajdzic’s winning goal.

Hallgrimsson will be frustrated his side failed to deal with the corner before it fell to Kalajdzic to score, which was ultimately the defining moment in a tight game.

They pressed hard for a late leveller, with Austria hanging on at times, but Ogbene’s late miss cost them a point.

Republic of Ireland will take confidence from how well they competed with Austria across the two games, but to come away with just a point having played well home and away, will be tough to take.

Their hopes of trying to win promotion to League A for the first time are not all lost, but they now must produce against Kosovo, who they suffered defeat against last month, to secure second place and a promotion play-off, which would have been the aim heading into this campaign.

Austria: Alexander Schlager; Stefan Posch (Sascha Horvath ’76), Philipp Lienhart, Kevin Danso, Philipp Mwene; Konrad Laimer (c), Christoph Baumgartner (Raul Florucz ‘76), Nicolas Seiwald; Romano Schmid (David Affengruber ‘90), Christoph Lang (Sasa Kalajdzic ‘59); Michael Gregoritsch.

Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins (c), Liam Scales; James Abankwah (Bosun Lawal ‘79), Ryan Manning (Jake O’Brien ‘68); Jayson Molumby, Finn Azaz; Jack Moylan (Harvey Vale ‘68), Adam Idah (Chiedozie Ogbene ‘68); Troy Parrott.

Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia & Herzegovina)