VAR THE DIFFERENCE AS CYPRUS FALL IN LINZ

Cyprus played well and were every bit the equal of a very good Austrian side, but a controversial penalty from VAR still saw Cyprus on the wrong end of a hard luck 1-0 loss away to Austria. With this result, Cyprus remain fourth in the group, still on 3 points, ahead of only San Marino. Bosnia-Herzegovina still lead the group, now on 12 points, three ahead of Austria who have a game in hand. Romania are third with 6 points. Cyprus have now lost 7 of their 8 meetings with Austria, the only exception being a win via penalties in 2005 in the long-defunct CFA Invitational Tournament. Cyprus will next play on Tuesday at home to Romania in Nicosia.

Cyprus visited Austria at Raiffeisen Arena in Linz. Fabiano, a newly minted Cypriot citizen made his international debut in goal for Cyprus, the 37 year old Brazilian born keeper has played in Cyprus for Omonoia since 2019. The first chance that came anywhere near the target came off the boot of the Cyprus captain Kostakis Artymatas, which seemed harmless as it was from far out, but came deviously close to the net.

Ioannis Pittas then came knocking, he got a shot off that Alexander Schlager got a piece of, it came off the post, back to Pittas who put the rebound off the post. There was a VAR check for a penalty on the play, but it wasn’t given. At the other end, Konrad Laimer had a step on Kostas Laifis, but hearing footsteps, he scuttled it wide. Some good ball movement set up a chance for Philipp Mwene, but he put it over the net. Laifis unleashed an impressive volley, but it was right at Schlager. Overall, it was a first half Cyprus would gladly accept, no score at halftime.

Early in the second half, there was a collision between Christos Shelis and Christoph Baumgartner, and VAR awarded a penalty for Austria. Marcel Sabitzer took the penalty and sent Fabiano the wrong way, and 55 minutes in, Austria broke through, 1-0.

Baumgartner after drawing the penalty tried to put himself on the scoresheet, but missed the target. Michael Gregoritsch put one on target, but Fabiano got on his knees and made the save. Pittas worked hard to win the ball in Austrian box, but by the time he got the shot off, he had no angle, and Schlager denied him with relative ease. Shelis had a go from way out and got Schlager to spill it for a corner. On the ensuing corner, Andreas Shikkis got to it and Gregoritsch headed it off the line. The match was stopped around 75 minutes in as a large crater emerged in the pitch in Linz.

Play resumed over five minutes later, and Sabitzer tried to score from open play but missed the net. Then Stefan Posch went in for the kill, but he skied his attempt over the bar, Cyprus staying in it for the time being. With all the delays, a full ten minutes were added on. Unfortunately, Cyprus struggled to gain much possession, and Austria were able to run out the clock for a 1-0 win.

Austria(Ralf Rangnick): 1. Alexander Schlager(GK), 4. Xaver Schlager(’69 5. Stefan Posch), 6. Nicolas Seiwald, 7. Marko Arnautovic(’46 11. Michael Gregoritsch), 8. David Alaba(Captain)(’69 3. Kevin Danso), 9. Marcel Sabitzer, 15. Philipp Lienhart, 16. Philipp Mwene, 19. Christoph Baumgartner(’90 10. Florian Grillitsch), 20. Konrad Laimer, 21. Patrick Wimmer(’46 18. Romano Schmid)

Cyprus(Apostolos Mantzios): 12. Fabiano(GK), 2. Kostas Pileas, 5. Charalambos Charalambous(’78 11. Andronikos Kakoullis), 9. Ioannis Pittas(’67 13. Ioannis Kosti), 15. Christos Shelis, 16. Andreas Shikkis, 17. Loizos Loizou, 18. Kostakis Artymatas(Captain)(’88 23. Chambos Kyriakou), 19. Kostas Laifis, 20. Grigoris Kastanos(’88 8. Ioannis Kousoulos), 21. Marinos Tzionis(’67 10. Pieros Sotiriou)

Andrew Mantzas

Twitter: @MantzasNC