Austria end losing streak

Austria 2-2 Costa Rica

Linz double
Despite being without injured FC Sion striker Sanel Kuljic, who had scored six goals in six league games for the Swiss club, Austria were always a threat. Álvaro Saborio, also of Sion, put the visitors in front on two occasions but each time Roland Linz, newly of Boavista FC, provided the equaliser. The draw was a welcome one given that Austria had lost their previous three fixtures, against Hungary, Croatia and Canada.

Two penalties
Andreas Ivanschitz was the first to show for Austria, running through on goal in the opening minutes only to be denied by Costa Rica goalkeeper Adrian De Lemos. Yet it was the Central American team that struck first after a handball by Martin Stranzl conceded a penalty which Saborio converted in the 15th minute. Austria fought back and Roman Wallner went close nine minutes later. Five minutes after that, Linz levelled with a spot-kick of his own after a foul on Christoph Leitgeb.

Honours even
Costa Rica were to hold the interval advantage, though, as Saborio headed in a corner shortly before half-time. Austria again came back strongly, restoring parity on the hour when Linz scored his second. Thomas Prager played a brilliant through-pass into the box, substitute striker Muhammat Akagündüz assisted and Linz, who has just moved to Portugal, had no problems finding the net.