Euro 2016

[monks data]

European Championship | Qualifiers

Nov 15, 2014 at 5pm UK

Austria
1-0
Russia

Okotie (73')

FT(HT: 0-0)

HT Report

Match Report

Football

Austria overcome rivals Russia in Euro 2016 qualifying

By Jack Prescott, Rugby Editor | 15 November 2014

Rubin Okotie scores a 75th-minute winner as Austria edge closer to Euro 2016 qualification with a 1-0 victory at home to Group G rivals Russia.

Austria have taken a step closer to qualifying for Euro 2016 with a 1-0 win at home to Group G rivals Russia.

The visitors came close to breaking the deadlock with 15 minutes played, but Alexander Kokorin's effort from the edge of the box rattled the post.

Russia threatened again just a minute later when Denis Cheryshev fired off target following a slick move, while Austria's first meaningful opening arrived on 26 minutes as Martin Harnik's low drive was kept out by Igor Akinfeev.

The away side continued to look the more likely to score during the remainder of a cagey first half, but they were unable to land the vital blow as the Austrians held on to go in level at the break.

Russia's Viktor Fayzulin (L) and Austria's Marc Janko (R) vie for the ball during the UEFA 2016 European Championship qualifying round Group G football match on November 15, 2014 © Getty Images

Austria started the second period in positive fashion and they could have taken the lead on 51 minutes when Marko Arnautovic's shot was pushed away by the alert Akinfeev.

However, chances became few and far between after that as the two sides were both guilty of committing a series of needless fouls that hampered the flow of the game.

It took until the 73rd minute for the game to finally see a goal as Rubin Okotie converted from inside the box after being picked out by Florian Klein.

Russia tried to salvage a share of the spoils in the final 15 minutes, but Austria held on to extend their lead at the top of the group.