Austria defeat damages Russia Euro hopes

Jun 14, 2015 - 6:41 PM Russia's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 have been dealt a blow with Fabio Capello's side slumping to a 1-0 defeat at home to Austria.

Giant Sydney FC striker Marc Janko scored the only goal of Sunday's game for the Austrians with a spectacular overhead kick in the 33rd minute at Spartak Moscow's Otkrytie Arena as they extended their lead at the top of qualifying Group G.

After six games, unbeaten Austria are top with 16 points, seven points clear of Sweden before their match at home to Montenegro later on Sunday.

Russia, meanwhile, are third with eight points, three points better off than Montenegro and Liechtenstein.

With only the best third-placed side from the nine groups qualifying along with the top two sides from each section, and the rest going into play-offs, Russia's place at the expanded finals in France next year is far from secure.

The 2018 World Cup host have won only one game in their qualifying campaign so far, at home to Liechtenstein last September.

They were also awarded a 3-0 win over Montenegro after the game in Podogorica in March was abandoned due to crowd trouble with the score goalless midway through the second half.

Austria, who beat Russia 1-0 in Vienna in November, came to Moscow without injured Bayern Munich star David Alaba but their recent improvement continued as they closed in on qualifying for a major tournament for the first time since they co-hosted Euro 2008.

Janko pounced on Russia's inability to clear their lines inside the penalty box with a remarkable overhead effort past Igor Akinfeev.

That goal proved enough, although Julian Baumgartlinger missed a great chance to double the visitors' lead.

Russia's next qualifier is a potentially decisive fixture at home to Sweden in September.

Source: AAP