GROUP C Kazakhstan 0 Austria 0:AUSTRIA HAD the bulk of the play but failed to find the target during a disappointing 0-0 draw with Kazakhstan in their World Cup qualifier at Astana Arena.

While the hosts will consider themselves pleased to have posted a first point in Group C, Austria’s qualification hopes will have been dented by failure to see off Kazakhstan.

Austria, who lost their opening fixture against Germany, had no shortage of possession or shots on goal but rarely threatened.

Zlatko Junuzovic fired two speculative efforts and Martin Harnik was denied in the 32nd minute by goalkeeper Andrey Sidelnikov’s smart save. Veli Kavlak, Gyorgy Garics and Emanuel Pogatetz each reeled off shots as the Austrians continued to attack. Sebastian Prodl came closest in the 65th minute, shooting left-footed from just outside the area and seeing his effort turned round the post.

Kazakhstan conjured a first real chance of their own, Sergey Ostapenko drilling at goal from 25 yards only for Robert Almer to save.

KAZAKHSTAN: Sidelnikov, Kirov, Nurdauletov, Konysbaev (Gridin 90+4), Bogdanov, Ostapenko, Khairullin (Mukhtarov 90+1), Nussebayev (Nurgaliyev 87), Dmitrenko, Rozhkov, Korobkin.

AUSTRIA: Almer, Garics, Pogatetz, Fuchs, Ivanschitz (Jantscher 73), Arnautovic, Junuzovic, Harnik (Weimann 86), Baumgartlinger (Janko 63), Prödl, Kavlak.

Referee: Tamás Bognar(Hun).