NORTHERN IRELAND 0 AUSTRIA 1
Irish must freshen up for Euro crunch with Slovakia
NORTHERN IRELAND 0 AUSTRIA 1 Gregoritsch 42 NORTHERN IRELAND are still waiting for their first Nations League win as they suffered a comedown after their heroic victory over Bosnia.
Ian Baraclough’s side could not rescale the heights they did to win on penalties in Sarajevo and book their place in the Euro play-off finals.
They looked tired, especially in the first half, and Austria took full advantage to win through Michael Gregoritsch’s header to earn a deserved victory at Windsor Park.
This latest Nations League defeat means the Irish have managed just one point from seven matches all told.
Bara’s boys will have to sharpen up their act when Slovakia come calling in Belfast next month to dispute a place in next summer’s European Championship.
Kyle Lafferty, second in Northern Ireland’s all-time scoring list, failed to impress after being given the nod – and his four- year goal drought continues.
The slicker, quicker Austrians should have won the game inside the opening half- hour as they sliced the Irish open almost at will.
Northern Ireland’s only salvation was Austria’s poor finishing.
Reinhold Ranftl failed to convert a great opening at the back post and the unmarked Martin Hinteregger headed weakly at Michael McGovern.
Austria’s prolificacy continued and Christoph Baumgartner steered a right-foot shot wide after Craig Cathcart’s mistake let him in.
Baumgartner was guilty again, firing over from just three yards out from Gregoritsch’s knockdown.
Austria finally made their domination count from a flowing move, which culminated in David Alaba teeing up Hinteregger to whip over a cross from the left for Gregoritsch to peel off Jonny Evans and head home.
The 600 socially- distanced home fans, who won tickets in a ballot, had precious little to cheer but they still went through the Green and White Army songbook in an attempt to rouse their side.
Northern Ireland finally managed their first effort on target when Paddy McNair sent over a curling cross from the left and Evans connected with a header which was saved by Pavao Pervan.
That was about it until Thursday’s penalty hero, Liam Boyce, flashed a shot across goal in stoppage time.