Neighbours revel in Austrian defeat

Austria 1-2 Hungary

With 661 days to go before UEFA EURO 2008™ begins, co-hosts Austria posted a third successive defeat under newly-appointed coach Josef Hickersberger to the delight of their neighbours from Hungary.

Early setback
Austria made a bright start in Graz but found themselves behind after just eleven minutes. Against the run of play, Szabolcs Huszti put a cross into the home penalty area which Zoltán Gera fired into the net with a spectacular volley.

Missed penalty
To make matters worse for the hosts, Sanel Kuljic missed a chance to equalise from the penalty spot after 35 minutes, failing to test Gábor Kiraly with a weak effort, and they were made to pay for their profligacy within moments as András Horváth struck Hungary's second with a rebound from 20 metres.

Consolation goal
After a 4-1 loss to Croatia, Hickersberger had demanded "an improvement in our defensive game" - but seemingly in vain as Hungary were allowed to swing a succession of crosses into their area. Kuljic reduced the deficit with a header from a corner 15 minutes from time, but it did little to calm Austrian nerves.

'A defeat is sad'
"A defeat is sad, but winning was not our primary intention," said Hickersberger. "We need to build a competitive team for 2008." Austrian Football Association president Friedrich Stickler confirmed after the whistle that the 58-year-old coach would keep his job until the finals.