Austria v Rep of Ireland - Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna - Sat, 12th Nov 2016 - WCQ

[passinginterest]

Horrible game, horrible ref, acceptable score line so far. Pitch looks incredibly bobbly for some reason.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

FFS Walters. That was a gimme.

[CraftyToePoke]

Sorry I was just poking the bear. Was joking. Obviously just bored as I have no way to watch this one...

You have radio though yeah ?

[passinginterest]

First bit of really good play and a super chance

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Sorry I was just poking the bear. Was joking. Obviously just bored as I have no way to watch this one...

We are both guilty.

[tricky_colour]

so close

[NeverFeltBetter]

That chance need the end...gorgeous football.

The Austrians look really ripe for an implosion, so many of them appear fed up and frustrated. If only the ref wasn't indulging their playacting at every turn.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Half time ratings: Randolph (7), Coleman (7), Duffy (7), Clark (7), Brady (6), Hendrick (5), Whelan (5), Arter (5), Hoolahan (6), McClean (5), Walters (4)

Meyler (6)

I feel we improved significantly after replacing Whelan with Meyler.

[SkStu]

You have radio though yeah ?

No! Is that still a thing? Is there radio coverage??

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Imagine if Long missed that chance...

Anyways, an improved performance from that seen in Serbia.

There is an argument that we have improved gradually in every game - a good sign.

[tetsujin1979]

No! Is that still a thing? Is there radio coverage??

Yeah, Newstalk are covering it on radio

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Brilliant skill by Hoolahan to put him through again, awful by Walters again.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Oh hell yes. Proper smashed it home, and after the ref finally stopped buying what the Austrians were selling.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Fantastic by Meyler, Hoolahan and McClean.

Hoolahan has been immense in this game. What an impact in this half alone already.

[passinginterest]

Get in! Super goal! Ref finally made a good call on a dive by the Austrian. Push on or try hold?

[SkStu]

Woo hoo!!!!

What was it like?

[tricky_colour]

Goal!!!!!

[Colbert Report]

Great goal Stu. Meyler took possession in the left-back area, caught Austria on the break because they were looking for a free kick. He kicked it up to Hoolahan in the centre circle, who didn't dilly dally at all and hit McClean in full stride who dribbled up the right wing and tucked it away, great finish.

[Colbert Report]

Now to sit back and defend before conceding a late equaliser....

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Feic.

[passinginterest]

Ooh denied a second by the flag. This is really there to be won now.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

So Hoolahan has now played a part in our last four goals and yet people still find things to complain about.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Duffy eats sh*t like Janko for breakfast.

He eats sh*t for breakfast?

[NeverFeltBetter]

Some great play this half, but just little mistakes messing it up: Walters offside, McClean not shooting first, Hoolahan losing the ball on the breakaway just now. The Austrians have looked rocked for the last few minutes and we haven't taken advantage. The team clearly isn't used to being in this position.

[passinginterest]

Meyler doing well, lovely ball over the top for that last chance. Really hope they can get a second and it's not the traditional late equaliser after sitting deeper and deeper for the last 15.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I think we are passing it out of defence too much. I never thought I'd say that, but that Hoolahan concession shows we just need to clear it sometimes.

[backstothewall]

We've dropped back badly. I'd like to see us leave more up the park for them to worry about

[NeverFeltBetter]

Austria look a bit calmer now, unfortunately. The chances are coming.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Arnautovic is the new Aouate.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I'd push McClean up front and replace Walters with McGeady.

[NeverFeltBetter]

FFS Brady.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I think it would make more sense to bring Doyle on rather than McGoldrick considering we are defending a lead.

Doyle's attributes more suited to the conditions.

[NeverFeltBetter]

The ref's a bit all over the place really. He seems way more willing to not put up with any nonsense this half, and then doesn't give a second yellow for that awful challenge.

[pineapple stu]

Austria are wojus. And we're not great either.

We've drawn one hell of a group here

Hoolahan has given the ball away almost every time. Except when he set up the goal.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Meyler excellent again in shielding the ball and winning a vital free kick.

[tricky_colour]

WE are not sitting back to much. Which is good.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Austria are wojus. And we're not great either.

We've drawn one hell of a group here

Hoolahan has given the ball away almost every time. Except when he set up the goal.

And put Walters through immediately before the goal, and linked up with Brady to set up a chance that should have been buried late in the first half.

Off the top of my head.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Austrians are giving out to each other and seem to give the ball away with every third touch, but could equalise and I wouldn't be at all surprised. Great run from McClean there, but seemed so tried by the end that he hadn't the strength to do anything of worth.

[tricky_colour]

McClean off he has been invaluable getting the goals, McGeady back in from the cold.

[tricky_colour]

The Austrian ground is a sports stadium?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Randolph immense again.

[tricky_colour]

90 mins up 4 to go

[NeverFeltBetter]

Randolph's been fantastic. No really spectacular saves, but he's dealt with nearly everything with confidence.

[SkStu]

No offence but this and BBC is an awful way to follow a game! Come on lads!!

[tricky_colour]

FFS!! though that was it!

[SkStu]

They just switched to the last minute and caught that chance!!

Woohoo!!! Famous away victory!!

[passinginterest]

Great result. And despite a couple of slight scares saw it out well. Think Meyler had a super game when he came on.

[The Fly]

Great result. Austria are out of the running now.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I'm inclined to be less critical of Ireland tonight than others. Think we played great in large parts. Of course, we have to take Austrian weakness into account, bit I think there a lot of other Irish teams over the years that would have left tonight with a point or less. Now we're in a great position with four months to the next game.

[SkStu]

Thanks for the updates everyone :)