Ireland face must-win game after narrow loss in Austria

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The Republic of Ireland are facing into a must-win clash against Kosovo on Tuesday as their UEFA Nations League promotion hopes took a hit despite a gutsy display against Austria…

The Republic of Ireland are facing into a must-win clash against Kosovo as their UEFA Nations League promotion hopes took a hit despite a gutsy display against Austria in Linz.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side impressed at times, especially in a first half in which they warmed to their task and took the game to their hosts at times.

However, it was substitute Sasa Kalajdzic who pounced with 11 minutes of normal time to go to ultimately settle the contest at the Raiffeisen Arena.

The Boys in Green will return to action in three days' time at Aviva Stadium needing to beat Kosovo in order to leapfrog the Balkan nation into second and thereby claim a promotion play-off spot.

A draw will consign Ireland to another campaign in League B, whilst a defeat could open the door for bottom side Israel should they beat the promoted Austrians on Tuesday.

On the eve of the game, Hallgrimsson had told RTÉ Sport that he felt his side could "go more bravely" into the game.

That stance was reflected in a starting XI that saw the attack-minded Finn Azaz deployed in a deeper role, just as he had in the 2-2 draw against the same opponents at Aviva Stadium on 1 October.

The earlier goalless draw between Kosovo and Israel also opened a window of opportunity, with the knowledge that a win would put Ireland top of the group above Austria on head-to-head results going into Tuesday's final games.

It was Austria though who fashioned the first opportunity in the third minute when Christoph Baumgartner found a pocket of space in an inside right position before his low strike deflected off the boot of captain Nathan Collins and just past the near post for the game's first corner.

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