Coleman content as Welsh earn a point

BACK in the city where he scored on his international debut in 1992, Chris Coleman was able to craft more fond memories as a manager.

His side left Vienna with a draw, which should be seen as creditable considering Austria represent the sternest test to their hopes of reaching Russia in 2018.

Wales weren’t completely in tune, dithering in defence and off-key in attack, but still did enough to deserve a point. Without the influential Aaron Ramsey, that is cause for optimism.

The result leaves them in a solid position ahead of Sunday’s match against Georgia in Cardiff.

We have to be honest and say we’ll take that point,’ admitted Coleman after watching a Marko Arnautovic double cancel out Joe Allen’s opener and an own goal by Kevin Wimmer.

‘It wasn’t our best display, we know that but Austria are a very good team at home.

‘To win, we needed to be at our best in every department but we weren’t. We found a way, though, and we rode our luck.’

Austria showed their threat in the fifth minute, David Alaba whipping a corner to the near post that was met by Wimmer. Luckily for Wales, Wayne Hennessey saved.

Wales went straight down the other end and brought an even better save out of Robert Almer. Joe Ledley’s corner was cleared only as far as Ben Davies, who sent the ball back into the area.

It turned into a decent cross which Gareth Bale glanced in the direction of the top corner but Almer somehow clawed it over.

From Ledley’s next corner Bale nodded the ball just wide. It looked like it wouldn’t be his night.

However, he found his rhythm in the 22nd minute. Bursting past two Austrians, he curled in a cross that found its way to Chris Gunter, who nodded down for Allen to hit a left-foot strike past Almer.

Six minutes later, however, Alaba found Arnautovic running off the back of Gunter and the Stoke man sent a header past Hennessey.

Just as Wales looked for the half-time whistle to ease the building Austrian pressure, they went ahead again.

Bale’s long throw from the left was flicked on by Sam Vokes and James Chester drove a header at goal that Almer saved. But the rebound hit Wimmer and trickled over the line.

Austria’s second equaliser came three minutes after the break, however. Allen’s pass back to Chester was risky and the defender allowed Arnautovic to run in on goal and beat Hennessey.

Austria had a head of steam but Wales dug deep to earn a point.