Kollmann sends Austria soaring
Wednesday, 8 September 2004
[1] Austria brushed aside Azerbaijan team 2-0 in their FIFA World Cup qualifier in Vienna to go top of Group 6.
Kollmann scores again
[2] Austria, who had fought back to draw 2-2 with England on Saturday, struck midway through the first half with a goal by Martin Stranzl and scored again just before the break thanks to Roland Kollmann's second goal in five days for his country. The victory lifts Hans Krankl's side into first place in Group 6, above England on goal difference.
Opening goal
[3] The Austrians had the bulk of possession, particularly in the first half, and spent much of the game camped around the Azerbaijan penalty area. The home side's repeated attacks bore fruit in the 23rd minute when Mario Haas's pass from the left wing found VfB Stuttgart defender Stranzl unmarked in the penalty area. He headed against the post but found the net from the rebound, turning the ball past two wrong-footed defenders.
Close range
[4] On 44 minutes, Emanuel Pogatetz's pass from the left found striker Kollmann who cored from close range. Austria could have had a third goal a minute later but Haas shot wide with only goalkeeper Dmitriy Kramarenko to beat.
Manninger save
[5] Kollmann missed the chance to score his second goal when his effort from near the penalty spot was saved by Kramarenko's legs. Azerbaijan asserted themselves more in the second half but it was not until the 58th minute that they produced an opportunity of note, substitute Ilgar Gurbanov springing the offside trap but his shot from outside the area was tipped on to the post by goalkeeper Alex Manninger.