TEL AVIV, Oct 28: Austrian skipper Andreas Herzog scored a dramatic injury time free-kick to snatch his makeshift side a World Cup playoff against Turkey next month after drawing 1-1 in Israel on Saturday.

The result denied the Israelis a two-legged showdown with the Turks as they would have pipped Austria on goal difference in European group seven.

In a tense game with neither team producing their best, Herzog converted the free-kick from just outside the area to make up for the 56th minute penalty he gave away after fouling striker Avi Nimni. Shimon Gershon scored the spot-kick for the Israelis.

Austria played the match with a squad missing 14 players through safety fears, suspensions and injuries but still managed a string of opportunities during normal time which went begging.—Reuters