World Cup Qualifying Preview: Austria - Lithuania

The third and fourth placed teams in Group 7 come face to face in what could eventually turn out to be a meaningless encounter for both sides.....

Oct 9, 2009 11:00:00 AM

More On :  Austria, France, Lithuania, Serbia, Austria vs Lithuania
Marc Janko, Red Bull Salzburg (firo)
Kick-Off: Saturday, October 10, 20:30 CET
Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna
Still In With A Slim Chance

Should France lose their final two qualifying matches, which under Raymond Domenech is not impossible, and Austria win their final two, which given that they take on faded Lithuania on Saturday and then an erratic French team on Wednesday, then it would be 'Das Team' that would garner the second spot in Group 7 and get into the play-off's.
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Mathematically the Austrians are not out of contention yet and are currently third in the group, four points behind second-placed France. A victory for the former World and European champions over minnows the Faroe Islands at home would kick Dietmar Constantini's side out of the running but the Austrians are raring to fight.

The hosts, though, are wary of the potential banana skin Saturday's fixture poses. They lost 2-0 to Lithuania away earlier in the group and will surely have learned from their mistake. The Euro 2008 co-hosts have a good record at home in the World Cup qualifiers and should expect a victory just to keep alive their slim hopes.

Playing For Pride

Lithuania are virtually out of the running for a place in the 2010 World Cup finals and will be playing their final two qualifying games in the name of pride alone. Their surprise 2-1 defeat to Faroe Islands in their last international match must be fresh in their mind and they will be keen to bounce back in style.

Jose Couceiro's side's away form is nothing to be proud of but having defeated Austria 2-0 at home in September last year, they must be hoping that they will be able to pull off some sort of an upset in Vienna on Saturday evening.

FORM GUIDE

Austria

September 9 v Romania (A) - DREW 1-1 (World Cup Qualifier)

September 5 v Faroe Islands (H) - WON 3-1 (World Cup Qualifier)

August 12 v Cameroon (H) - LOST 0-2 (Friendly)

June 6 v Serbia (A) - LOST 0-1 (World Cup Qualifier)

April 1 v Romania (H) - WON 2-1 (World Cup Qualifier)

Lithuania

September 9 v Faroe Islands (A) - LOST 2-1 (World Cup qualifier)

August 12 v Luxembourg (A) - WON 1-0 (Friendly)

June 6 v Romania (H) - LOST 0-1 (World Cup Qualifier)

April 1 v France (A) - LOST 0-1 (World Cup Qualifier)

March 28 v France (H) LOST 1-0 (World Cup Qualifier)

TEAM NEWS

Austria

Inter striker Marko Arnautovic was left out of the squad for the final two matches in the qualifying campaign because Dietmar Constantini doubts his fitness level. Emmanuel Pogatetz, Martin Stranzl and Sebastian Proedl were also excluded because of lack of match fitness. There are some concerns among the players chosen for the two games but so far there are no major worries. Also, midfielder Thomas Prager has been recalled to the national side after an 18-month absence.

Possible Lineup (4-4-2): Payer, Schiemer, Fuchs, Dragovic, Scharner; Hoelzl, Beichler, Jantscher, Baumgartlinger; Hoffer, Janko

Lithuania

The visitors have no major injury concerns and should field their strongest side.

Possible Lineup (4-4-2): Karcemarskas, Alunderis, Stankevicius, Dedura, Klimavicius; Ivaskevicius, Semberas, Cesnauskis, Pilibaitis; Danilevicius, Trakys

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marc Janko (Austria)

Red Bull Salzburg striker Marc Janko is the key man for Austria on Saturday and has been in excellent form in the run-up to this crucial game. The 26-year-old scored four times against Austria Karnten at the weekend and helped his side to an overly comprehensive 7-1 victory. Coach Constantini will be hoping that Janko does something similar against Lithuania on Saturday.

Zydrunas Karcemarskas (Lithuania)

The Dynamo Moscow custodian will have to be at his best against a sharp Austrian attack line led by an in-form Marc Janko. He has made numerous saves for his nation in the qualifying campaign so far and will be required to pull off a few more on Saturday.

PREDICTION

Lithuania are no pushovers and should give Austria a run for their money. But the home side know that only maximum points will help them in any way and they should eventually garner all three points.

Austria 2-0 Lithuania

Subhankar Mondal, Goal.com
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