Harry Arter hopes win proves knockout blow to Austria

If the name of the game in Ireland’s World Cup qualifying group is to pick your rivals off one by one, then Harry Arter feels Austria might be the first victim to perish.

An historic win in Vienna on Saturday puts Ireland in a commanding position to target top spot, the only automatic route to Russia, or second place as a fall-back.

Martin O’Neill’s fear that Group D couldbe the one to miss out on a play-off spot seems to be allayed after racking up 10 points from the opening four fixtures.