Alaba inspires Austria

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER GROUP C:

The hosts succeeded where Ireland failed in March by punishing Sweden’s suspect defence to keep intact their hopes of featuring in Brazil next year at the expense of the Boys in Green.

This victory at the Ernst Happel Stadium was their third in their last four qualifiers, keeping them level with Giovanni Trapattoni’s side in second place of Group C on 11 points. Without an appearance at the biggest show in world football since the 1998 finals, there’s momentum growing around Austria’s bid to oust Sweden and Ireland for the play-off spot.