Zengin volley ensures Sweden deny Austria
Monday, September 8, 2014
Article summary
Austria 1-1 Sweden
David Alaba's early penalty was swiftly cancelled out by Erkan Zengin, and Sweden held on for a Group G draw in Vienna.
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Article body
• Group G contenders Austria and Sweden draw their opening game
• David Alaba converts early penalty for Austria
• Erkan Zengin swiftly equalises in superb fashion
• Andreas Isaksson spares Sweden another 2-1 loss in Vienna
• Next games: Moldova v Austria, Sweden v Russia (9 October)
Austria and Sweden shared the UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group G points after an exchange of early goals in Vienna.
A big crowd was rewarded with a seventh-minute goal. David Alaba's cross hit the hand of Sebastian Larsson and the FC Bayern München left-back – who also opened the scoring when Austria beat Sweden 2-1 here in June 2013 – stepped up to convert. However, within five minutes Sweden were level as Zlatan Ibrahimović flicked on a free-kick from the left and Erkan Zengin chested down before smashing in on the half-volley.
Zengin rattled the woodwork shortly afterwards with a fierce effort, but it was Austria who had most of the possession. Martin Olsson had to be alert to tackle as Marc Janko shaped to shoot, and from the resulting corner Martin Harnik's angled attempt was tipped over by Andreas Isaksson. The busy Sweden goalkeeper was called into action again to push away Julian Baumgartlinger's strike
Early in the second half, Martin Hinteregger headed a corner wide and Janko put another chance narrowly off target, but the home side's ascendancy fizzled out as the game wore on. However, at the other end Ibrahimović, who scored two goals against Estonia on Thursday to become the first player to score 50 for Sweden, was also kept quiet.