Match Day Thread Austria v Wales

Austria vs Wales
World Cup Euro Qual - Group D
7:45pm Thursday 6th October
Ernst-Happel-Stadion

Putting to one side all the "noise" surrounding Francesco Guidolin's dismissal as Swansea Manager, and the immediate appointment if his successor Bob Bradley, Wales will look to build on the good start they have made to their World Cup qualifying campaign when they take on Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna tonight.

Austria, under the guidance of new coach Marcel Koller, began their road to Russia 2018 with a 2-1 win in Georgia in their opening Group D fixture.

Wales also impressed in their first qualifier by maintaining their Euro 2016 momentum with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Moldova.

Koller yesterday described Wales' advance to the Euro semi-finals as "lucky" ...... all teams need an element of luck, and in my opinion, Wales had no greater luck than other teams, indeed the harsh bookings of Ramsey & Davies meant that we were without 2 of our better players in the semi with Portugal.

Wales have played Austria on 8 occasions, winning twice, drawing the once and losing five.

Wales v Austria first 7 meetings

• 1954 - Austria 2-0Wales (friendly, Vienna)
• 1955 - Wales 1-2Austria (friendly, Wrexham)
• 1974 - Austria 2-1Wales (ECQ, Vienna)
• 1975 - Wales 1-0Austria (ECQ, Wrexham)
• 1991 - Austria 1-1Wales (friendly, Vienna)
• 2005 - Wales 0-2Austria (WCQ, Cardiff)
• 2005 Austria 1-0Wales (WCQ, Vienna)

The 8th & last fixture was in February 2013 when Wales ran out 2-1 winners with Gareth Bale inspiring Wales to only their second win in seven games under manager Chris Coleman by beating Austria in a friendly in Swansea.

Bale drilled the opener low into the corner after cutting in off the wing for his fourth goal in four games but Wales were lucky to reach half-time ahead as Boaz Myhill was tested.

Bale then crossed for substitute Sam Vokes to head Wales' second, and the home side held on despite Marc Janko's header for the often superior visitors.

It was far from a convincing victory or performance from Wales, who struggled to trouble the visitors with any semblance of sustained pressure by failing to keep possession.

Turning the attention to this evening, this away match will be arguably Wales' toughest test in the Group. My heart is saying that Wales can come away with a 1-1 draw, but my head is saying that Austria will run out 2-0 winners.

 

Very tricky game these are a good side, with us missing Ramsey, back to reality, Wales 1 Austria 3.

 

I can't see anything other than a Wales win. We need to shut Arnautovic out of the game and keep him quiet.

 

Our toughest game, but Wales to edge it 2-1, ..........

 

Draw.

 

I'll be very happy with a draw but we can definitely win this. Nothing to fear here.

 

We have the players to win and so do they....2 - 2and prove we are not a one man band that many people think....A win would be great though....

 

Great save from Bale a few mins ago.

 

Jooooooooooooe

What a goal.

 

#%^#

 

Wimmer og!

1-2 to Wales!

 

The Austrian coach was right, we are lucky, 2-1

 

Own goal. I'll take that

 

Exactly right, I know how you feel

 

Didn't Napoleon prefer his Generals to be lucky rather than good?

 

I'd like to see Robson-Kanu second half the ref's got Volks in his sights imo, he's not allowing him to compete for the ball.

 

What's the score lads?.............................

 

Ok we are under the cosh a little bit and that is expected playing away from home but we are making some nice break away's....Bale has been fantastic as he has everything in his locker with free kicks to powerful long ball throw in's......If we can play roughly the same way we can get something in the game.....I did think their goal was well off side but the player did well to beat H in goal..........Now for the second half....Come on you Wales....

 

I would like Taylor dropped for Kanu.................

 

Balls