Created on 09-09-2014 at 09:34 AM
Austria had to settle for a draw in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Sweden on Monday night despite an early strike from David Alaba. A 48,500 crowd at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna saw the FCB pro convert a penalty on seven minutes. The spot kick was awarded for handball from a cross Alaba put into the box.
The lead did not last long with Erkan Zengin levelling six minutes later. The Sweden midfielder almost scored again with a long-range effort hitting the bar on 15 minutes. There was further incident involving Alaba when he was elbowed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic five minutes later but out of the sight of the referee.
“We dominated play for much of the game, created some good chances and could have done better, so we're not 100 percent happy,” declared Alaba after playing the full 90 minutes.
Shaqiri hit on the break
It was definitely not a good night for Xherdan Shaqiri. 35,000 spectators in Basel witnessed England take all three points against a committed Switzerland team who were unable to put away their chances. England played a patient game with Danny Welbeck (58/90+4) scoring both goals in the 2-0 victory. Shaqiri played the full 90 minutes.
Kurt on the bench
Sinan Kurt did not get on for the Germany U-19 in an exciting encounter with England. A 3,150 crowd in Oberhausen saw the visitors take the lead with a goal from Bradley Fewster (37) but Timo Werner equalised just before the hour mark. Both sides had the chance to win the match with the best chance falling to England from the penalty spot, only for Germany keeper Marius Funk to beat out Fewster's effort from twelve yards on 67 minutes. The game ended all square at 1-1.