What: 2014 World Cup Qualifying – Group C
Who: Republic of Ireland vs Austria
When: Tuesday 26th March, 2013, at 19:45 UK Time
Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Giovanni Trapattoni Places Faith in Youth
While 2012 ended desperately for the Republic of Ireland, Giovanni Trapattoni has done well to steady the ship so far this year amid a torrent of abuse and pressure. Having drafted a raft of youngsters into his squad, the Italian is being handsomely rewarded after the Republic of Ireland followed up a 2-0 win over Poland last month in a friendly with a more important 0-0 draw away to Sweden on Friday night.
Shutting out Zlatan Ibrahimovic and co. was no easy feat, particularly given that Germany and England had recently conceded four times apiece against them, and the Irish defied the masses of pundits who did not even give them a fighting chance.
The draw in Stockholm, impressive as it was, has not been enough to prevent the Republic of Ireland falling to fourth place in the group though. Austria’s thrashing of Faroe Islands means that they are above the Irish on goal difference, with both teams a point adrift of Sweden, who do not play this week. That means that either three teams will go into the summer neck and neck in the race for second, or one of the Republic of Ireland and Austria will occupy that spot for the next three months. Just as well that they meet here then.
Austria Force Their Way Into World Cup Contention
A 6-0 win over the Faroe Islands was to be expected to some extent, but the emphatic nature of Marcel Koller’s side’s victory will enthuse him ahead of this important trip to Dublin. The hunger his team showed and pressure they put on their opponents will bode well for this crucial clash with the Irish.
Austria, having spent recent years mostly in the international wilderness aside from their co-hosting of the 2008 European Championship, have some reason for optimism again with the development of a number of young stars. Marko Arnautovic, the Werder Bremen playmaker, is perhaps the most notable of those. Others include Bayern Munich defender David Alaba, and Aston Villa’s Andreas Weimann, who has been one of his team’s most impressive performers this season.
Koller can blend these youngsters with the experience of Andreas Ivanschitz ,captain Christian Fuchs and striker Marc Janko to create a team capable of taking on Europe’s best teams again. This World Cup may come too early though, with Austria making a slow start to qualifying after losing at home to Germany before being held away in Kazakhstan. They have since beaten the Kazakhs at home and the victory over the Faroes adds to their momentum. But if they can come away from Dublin without losing and then defeat Sweden at home in their next qualifier, Koller’s side could just surprise their rivals and make the playoffs.
Recent form
Republic of Ireland:
Republic of Ireland 0-1 Greece (14/11; Friendly)
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Poland (06/02; Friendly)
Sweden 0-0 Republic of Ireland (22/03; World Cup qualifying)
Austria:
Austria 0-3 Ivory Coast (14/11; Friendly)
Wales 2-1 Austria (06/02; Friendly)
Austria 6–0 Faroe Islands (22/03; World Cup qualifying)
Key absences
Republic of Ireland: Glenn Whelan (doubt); Jonathan Walters (doubt)
Austria: Marc Janko (doubt); Martin Jarnik (doubt)
Players to watch
Republic of Ireland – James McCarthy: The Wigan man was his team’s best player in possession on Friday night in Stockholm, which is perhaps not too much of a surprise given his exploits under Roberto Martinez’s free flowing style in the Premier League. McCarthy has been an unsung hero of the last two seasons for his club side and is emerging as a real talent for his country too now. His intelligent and accurate passing will be key for the Republic if they want to take the game to their opponents.
Austria – Philipp Hosiner: Another talented young member of this Austrian squad, 23-year-old Philipp Hosiner showed his class with two goals against the Faroe Islands on Friday on only his second international appearance. The leading goalscorer in the Austrian Bundesliga, Hosiner has been in superb form this season, netting 22 times in 20 games for Austria Vienna after signing from Admira Wacker in the summer, helping his new side top the Bundesliga standings going into the final stretch of the season. The Republic of Ireland did fantastically defensively on Friday night, but if they take a more attacking approach to this game they must make sure they do not give Hosiner too much time and space or he could punish them.
Match Prediction
It was a superb defensive showing from the young Irish team against Sweden and Trapattoni will be inclined not to change too much, although his side may look to be more attacking at home. The young players given their chance to shine of late, such as McCarthy, Wes Hoolahan, James McClean and Seamus Coleman, are justifying the faith placed in them.
Shane Long may start again alongside Robbie Keane in this game, but it will be no easy task breaking down a team containing the defensive talents of Fuchs and Alaba. With a clutch of key players plying their trade in the Bundesliga, Austria will be a stern tactical test for the Irish.
Arnautovic is a real handful, the classy playmaker who can pierce an opponents’ defence in the blink of an eye. Yet he has a questionable attitude at times and has some way to go to match the exploits of his more experienced midfield colleague Andreas Ivanschitz. Along with Stuttgart’s Martin Harnik, they offer creativity and a real goal threat. With Hosiner and prolific Trabzonspor forward Janko up front, there are plenty of goals in this Austrian side, who are a good bet to stun the Irish. Republic of Ireland 1-2 Austria.
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