Seamus Coleman says the Republic of Ireland's commendable draw in Sweden on Friday will count for nothing if they fail to beat Austria next week.
Ireland kept their World Cup hopes alive as they held the Swedes to a goalless draw at the Friends Arena, but slipped to fourth in Group C as a result.
Ahead of facing Austria on Tuesday, who are third in the qualifying group, Coleman said: "It was a good point and a good performance. We can bring that on to Tuesday now.
"It has set us up nicely for the game against Austria, but a point will mean nothing if we can't finish it off on Tuesday night.
"There is no better feeling than going into that game after a good performance and a good point, and if we can finish it off it will have been a good week."
Ireland produced a commendable performance in Stockholm but the opposition had more clear-cut chances, and Coleman praised Millwall goalkeeper David Forde who made three superb saves.
Coleman said: "He was brilliant. He came for corners and caught everything.
"It was a massive save at the end. It would have been a kick in the teeth if that had gone in but I thought he had a great night.
"I thought we kept them quiet and played when we had the chance.
"We handled them well and maybe they weren't expecting us to play like we did.
"We have got some good ball-players and that showed - especially James McCarthy. He kept looking for the ball a lot and kept us ticking over."
On his recent performances, Coleman added: "I feel good and feel comfortable in my proper position.
"I have always felt I am a right-back and I am getting a good run of games for club and country in that position.
"The manager likes me to get forward. That is a big part of my game.
"But sometimes you have got to think a point is a good result and there were times when stayed back and let the lads do it.
"It was about being solid more than anything but if anyone was going to win it it looked like we could have."
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