Vincent the hero for Vale

Vincent the hero for Vale

Published Feb. 6, 2013 6:15 a.m. ET

Austria manager Marcel Koller has identified Gareth Bale as the man his side must stop if they want to secure a friendly victory over Wales on Wednesday night.

The in-form Tottenham winger will be Wales' most potent threat to the Austrian defence at the Liberty Stadium, as the home side look to improve on a run of just one win in seven games.

Austria, meanwhile, are hoping to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat against the Ivory Coast in November, and gain some valuable momentum ahead of the resumption of World Cup qualifying next month, with Koller's team lying fourth in Group C.

If the visitors are to emerge victorious, their Swiss manager knows how important it will be to keep Bale quiet.

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He said: "Bale is the key player for Wales, especially in terms of his offensive play. We have to work together to try and stop him, rather than having one player man-marking him.

"He is extremely fast, he has very good technique. I watched him play against Germany five years ago and he was outstanding.

"I first noticed him when I was a club manager (with Bochum) but I think he is now too expensive for most clubs."

Koller, who featured as a substitute for Switzerland when they faced England in the opening game of Euro 96, has won four of his eight games since taking charge of Austria, but has fitness concerns to contend with.

Bayern Munich's David Alaba is a doubt with a muscle injury, while captain Christian Fuchs is struggling to shake off a cold.

Koller must also decide whether to hand Austria Vienna striker Philipp Hosiner a first international start. The 23-year-old has scored 21 goals in 20 league appearances for his club so far this season.

Austria are using the meeting with Wales as preparation for their upcoming qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland, and Koller believes it will be a beneficial experience.

He said: "It's good we can experience the weather and conditions as we have today and to play against a British team is always good, even if you cannot compare the style of play and it is hard to find two teams who play exactly the same.

"Ireland are higher than Wales in the FIFA rankings, so we expect them to be stronger but I don't think there will be much difference."

end

Sam Hoskins and substitute Marcus Haber scored in the first and final minutes of normal time on Tuesday night to condemn County to back-to-back defeats.

Kiwomya, in caretaker charge following Sunday's sacking of Keith Curle, got off to the worst possible start when the hosts took the lead after just 25 seconds.

A Filipe Morais shot took a deflection off Alan Sheehan and fell kindly to the feet of Hoskins, who rolled into a vacant net with County keeper Fabian Spiess grounded.

The visitors' response was immediate as Jeff Hughes slid home from close range - but he had already been flagged offside.

Yoann Arquin's volley cleared the stands and Hughes headed over as Notts enjoyed the better of the first half.

After the break dominant County saw Francois Zoko and Hughes fire wide but Haber leapt highest to head home and seal three points for Boro.

Swindon goalkeeper Wes Foderingham denied John White in the area while at the other end Colchester defender Brian Wilson hacked Adam Rooney's close-range shot off the line in Tuesday night's clash at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Foderingham pulled off a flying save to deny Billy Clifford's long-range strike on the half-hour but Swindon looked dangerous and Andy Williams curled over for the visitors.

Colchester keeper Sam Walker denied the lively Rooney just before half-time.

But the deadlock was broken eight minutes after the break through Collins, who weaved his way through the Colchester defence before slamming a low shot past Walker from a tight angle.

Williams should have sealed victory for Swindon with 19 minutes to go when he was sent through on goal by Collins' pass but was denied by Walker at his near post.

Walker saved well from Gary Roberts and Aden Flint late on as Swindon wrapped up victory.

The visitors gave Vale a 13th-minute present when Lee Hughes was left completely unmarked to claim his fourth goal in four games.

Ryan Burge swung over a far-post free-kick from the left and Hughes buried a downward header from four yards with no Wimbledon players in the frame.

Toby Ajala fired narrowly wide with the best chance for the visitors to equalise, but Vale were firmly in the driving seat when Vincent added a second in the 35th minute.

Wimbledon were penned in their own penalty area and Vincent's left-foot shot from 18 yards took a deflection off a defender, leaving Neil Sullivan stranded as the ball rolled just inside his left-hand post.

The introduction of substitutes Jack Midson and Gavin McCallum briefly lifted Wimbledon with Midson forcing a fine save from Chris Neal on the hour.

But that was a rare foray into Vale territory and the home side were soon inches away from a third when the prolific Tom Pope headed against the crossbar.

Another goal was overdue by the time Vincent chested down a left-wing cross from Jennison Myrie-Williams and drove a 12-yard shot inside Sullivan's left-hand post in the 75th minute.

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