UPDATE 1-Soccer-Germany cling on for 2-1 win in Austria

VIENNA, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Germany survived a torrid first

half against neighbours Austria before Marco Reus and Mesut Ozil

scored either side of halftime to give them a 2-1 win in their

2014 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

The Germans clung on for three points and only won after

Marko Arnautovic missed a great chance for the hosts in the 87th

minute.

Reus burst down the left, cut inside Gyorgy Garics and

buried a low shot past Robert Almer three minutes before the

break after the feisty hosts, fielding nine Bundesliga-based

players, had looked capable of producing an upset.

Ozil, scorer of two goals in the 3-0 win over Faroe Islands

on Friday, converted a penalty after Veli Kavlak recklessly

clattered into Thomas Mueller.

Austria, playing their opening match in Group C, refused to

lie down and Zlatko Junuzovic pulled one back in the 57th

minute, turning in the ball in after Arnautovic forced his way

to the byline and sent a low cross into the goalmouth.

It was Germany's eighth successive win against their

neighbours who have not qualified for the World Cup since 1998

and left them with six points from two games.

Holger Badstuber rescued Germany after only four minutes

with a last-ditch tackle to foil Martin Harnik after he had a

clear run on goal.

Harnik and Andreas Ivanschitz also sent long range shots

fizzing wide of the goal as Austria's unrefined and aggressive

approach unnerved the visitors until Reus opened the scoring.

Germany's quickfire goals appeared to put them in control,

only for Junuzovic to rattle them again, and they spent the last

half hour uneasily on the back foot.

They were spared when Arnautovic somehow missed after Jakob

Jantscher laid the ball into the goalmouth.