Euro qualifying
June 3, 2011
Germany came away late 2-1 winners over a gallant Austria on Friday thanks to a brace of goals from striker Mario Gomez.
The victory pushes die Mannschaft further ahead in Group A in their quest to qualify for next year's European Championships. Germany now sit on top on 18 points from six games.
Austria, who sorely needed a win and were unlucky to come away from the match without any points, remain stuck in fourth place in the group on seven points, three behind Turkey and four behind Belgium.
Bayern Munich frontman Gomez gave the Germans the lead in the dying minutes of the first half off a corner from club colleague Toni Kroos. But the lead didn't last long.
It took the Austrians only four minutes into the new half to break even when German defender Arne Friedrich helped a ball by Austrian midfielder David Alaba into the net.
Minutes later, the capacity crowd at Vienna's Ernst-Happel Stadion were brought to their feet when Stefan Kulovits hit the post with a nice shot.
The Austrians kept their foot on the Germans' throats with a handful of chances, whilst Germany also had their fair share of opportunities.
The game looked destined to end in a draw, as would have been justified; however, Gomez swooped in the 90th minute with a strong header right in front of goal off a Philipp Lahm cross from the right.
Germany next face Azerbaijan in Baku on June 7, while Austria have to wait until September 2, when they have a chance to avenge their loss to Germany in Gelsenkirchen.
Author: Darren Mara
Editor: John Kluempers