Known as the "Brothersduel" all signs of brotherly love were instantly thrown out the window as both sides went hammer and tong, with neither willing to give an inch in what would turn out to be a tenacious battle. On the back of three straight victories, including the blockbuster against Liverpool, Rapid flew out of the traps. Andi Dober got on the end of a Steffen Hofmann corner, and "Jimmy" Hoffer unlucky not to open the scoring after a rampaging solo run. It seemed only a matter of time until Rapid would beat Bliem in the home goal but the game was turned on its head in the 32nd minute. Young midfield star Yasin Pehlivan saw red, picking up his second yellow after two inauspicious bookings. Drazan fired off a warning shot to the home side shortly before half time, signalling Rapid´s continuing efforts to push on despite being down to ten.The second half saw the games flow constantly disrupted by the whistle happy referee, only Heikkinen managing to muster goal threat with a speculative long range effort on the hour mark. After this the game descended into near farcical scenes. Following a misplaced pass from Markus Heikkinen all hell broke loose in the Rapid backline. The looping pass from the Finnish international was intercepted. Helge Payer charged of his line and got to the loose ball first, his attempted clearance cannoning off the on rushing attacker. The ball bounced precariously in the six yard box before Patocka had a rush of blood to the head and pole axed a lurking Mattersburg forward. Mörz put the penalty away (67).Rapid hit back. The fiery "Jimmy" Hoffer, making what would transpire to be his last appearance for the club, gave Rapid belief with an excellent strike, nearly drawing the Green Whites level. It was now Maierhofer´s turn to see red, the imposing marksman receiving his marching orders for simulation. Rapid drove on though, demonstrating that never say die attitude the club is famous for, and grabbed an unlikely equaliser, Heikkinen smashing home from close range. The travelling masses in the stands went into ecstacy.With two men missing Rapid still pushed forward, leaving gaping holes at the back. In the 81st minute the inevitable happened as Mattersburg took advantage of their numerical supremecy. Spuller crossed to Waltner who headed home a simple chance, completely unmarked from 5 yards out to break Rapid hearts. Minutes later Atan blasted over from 4 yards, the ball reportedly ending up close to the Hungarian border. Rapid still pushed on, looking to salvage a point. New signing Konrad had an excellent low drive saved in the 91st minute as time wore down. Rapid almost snatched a point in the 95th minute as Jelavic´s delfected effort flew golad wards. It wasn´t to be however and the Viennese succumbed to opening day defeat. We now turn our attention to European duties in Hütteldorf on thursday as we resume our Europa League campaign.2. Round:Mattersburg - SK Rapid 2:1 (0:0)Mattersburg, Pappelstadion, 12.100 Visitors, Ref. Meßner Goals: 1:0 Mörz (68./Elfmeter), 1:1 Heikkinen (78.), 2:1 Waltner (81.) Mattersburg: Bliem - Pauschenwein, Malic, Sedloski, Hamouz (60. Spuller) - Atan (86. Stjepanovic), Schmidt, Seidl (81. Wagner), Sedlak, Mörz - Waltner SK Rapid: Payer - Dober, Eder (77. Jovanovic), Patocka (70. Jelavic), Katzer - Hofmann, Heikkinen, Pehlivan, Drazan (77. Konrad) - Hoffer, Maierhofer Yellow Card: Schmidt, Sedlak, Seidl, Malic, Spuller, Mörz Katzer, Hoffer, Patocka, Eder, Heikkinen Yellow/Red: Pehlivan (32.), Maierhofer (72.) (gw)
31.08.2015