Victory not enough for Austria
Saturday 10 October 2009
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Despite beating Lithuania 2-1, Austria's hopes of reaching the 2010 FIFA World Cup were extinguished on Saturday as Serbia and France claimed the top two places in qualifying Group 7.
Jako opener
Goals in each half from Marc Janko and Roman Wallner, a penalty, secured victory for Austria, but France's 5-0 win at home to the Faroe Islands consigned Dietmar Constantini's side to third place in the section. Austria got off to an ideal start when FC Salzburg striker Janko scored his fifth goal in 12 matches for his country in the 16th minute with a powerful strike after being teed up by Franz Schiemer.
Wallner winner
They were unable to add to that advantage initially, however, and Lithuania grew in confidence, eventually drawing level through Marius Stankevičius on 66 minutes. Needing victory, Austria coach Constantini brought on striker Stefan Maierhofer who had a header cleared off the line. The home side regained the lead with ten minutes remaining when Wallner fired in from the spot after Schiemer had been brought down. It was not enough, however, to keep their qualifying hopes alive.
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