Heimir Hallgrímsson: Ireland 'deserved at least a draw' against Austria

Austria 1 

Republic of Ireland 0

There would be no repeat of last November's heroics in Linz on Saturday night as Ireland lost their second game of the Uefa Nations League campaign in similar fashion to the first.

As was the case when Kosovo’s Vedat Muriqi inflicted defeat in September, Ireland lost to a late goal from a cross.

Substitute Sasa Kalajdžić supplied this one, poking the ball over the line with 11 minutes left after Ireland failed to clear a corner.

Austria’s win guarantees them top spot in the group, and with it promotion to League A, leaving Ireland requiring victory in Tuesday’s rematch against Kosovo to leapfrog their opponents in second.

By only drawing against Israel earlier in the day, Kosovo handed the initiative to Ireland to not only grasp second but potentially usurping the leaders for top spot.

Although Ireland created chances to nick the win, primarily Adam Idah’s glaring opening on 68 minutes, on too many occasions they were caught off-guard at the back.

Heimir Hallgrímsson bemoaned Ireland’s concession of a set-piece goal that ruined their otherwise impressive display.

Their narrow loss, confirmed by Sasa Kalajdžić’s scrappy goal with 11 minutes left, ended any chance Ireland had of toppling the leaders for top spot in the Uefa Nations League.

They must now beat Kosovo in Tuesday’s final match at Lansdowne Road to finish second which would both earn a spot in pot two for the Euro 2028 qualifying draw on December 6 and a playoff for promotion to League A.

“You never like to concede a goal from a set play,” said the Ireland manager, noting their lapse from a corner.

“This was the second phase and then third phase of play. That’s the margin at this level.

“You need to be switched on and focussed the whole time.

“We had six or seven of those but didn’t convert them into a goal.” 

The Icelander felt Ireland were worthy of a point.

“We deserved at least a draw. If we would have scored the first one, I am so positive we would have scored another one after.

“I wouldn’t even compare this game to Kosovo, which we also lost.

“In this game, we sprinted and tackled more.

“In all metrics we did better, although it doesn’t matter how you play if you lose.

“But I think we are getting closer and closer to these teams. I think we deserved at least a draw from this game."

When scoreless with 22 minutes left, Hallgrímsson made a treble substitution with the intention of seeking the victory.

“We were careful in the substitutions,” said Hallgrimsson.

“You are never happy losing. I have to give credit to the players.

“There were a lot of positives from us. What we asked the players to do.

“Press them and be positive in play. Run in behind Austria.

“This is the game and in one moment you’ve lost the game.” He added: “A key message now is we need to have the same energy in three days’ time against Kosovo.

“This game was highly energetic and will take its toll so we need to be ready.” Doubts have emerged about the availability of captain Nathan Collins for the second part of the double-header after he signalled to the bench late on.

“He had something in his knee when he fell down and we're going to get him scanned tomorrow and see what it is. 

"Hopefully it's nothing but we need to be careful as he's just come back from an injury.”

AUSTRIA (4-2-3-1): A Schlager; S Posch (S Horvath 76), K Danso, P Lienhart, P Mwene; N Seiwald, K Laimer; M Gregoritsch, C Baumgartner (R Florucz 76), R Schmid;. C Lang (S Kalajdžić 60).

IRELAND: (3-4-2-1): C Kelleher; D O’Shea, N Collins, L Scales; J Abankwah (B Lawal 80), F Azaz, J Molumby, R Manning (J O’Brien 68); A Idah (C Ogbene 68), J Moylan (H Vale 68); T Parrott.

Referee: Irfan Peljto (BIH).

Attendance: 16,700.