The proceedings started with “Jimmy” Hoffer bidding farewell to the Hanappi Stadion following his sudden transfer to Italians Napoli last week. A visibly emotional Hoffer completed a well earned lap of honour with numerous banners in the Block West paying a fitting tribute to Austria’s rising star.The game began with Rapid shooting towards the famous Block West. In an unfamiliar line up, Konrad stepped in for the suspended Maierhofer, Kulovits covering the vacant central midfield berth left by Boskovic’ injury and Pehlivan. New signing Milan Jovanavic continued at the back.The opening stages came and went with little or no goal mouth action before the visitors took a shock lead in the 18th minute. A cross from the right was only partially dealt with by Payer, Gramann scuffing home the loose ball from 8 yards.Rapid tried to muster an immediate response, Christopher Drazan firing over from a difficult angle. As the half wore on Rapid struggled to create clear openings, a flashing header from Hannes Eder was as close as the Green Whites came. Nikica Jelavic was booked in the 41st minute for an inoculous challenge as tempers frayed.The first half ended with a frustrated Rapid struggling to find the breakthrough, giving Peter Pacult plenty to think about during his half time team talk.The second period got under way with Christopher Trimmel replacing Drazan. Rapid were clearly looking more menacing following their half time gee-up and it didn’t take long to manufacture the first opportunity of the half, Jelavic out muscling his marker to send a powerful header wide of the upright. In the 53rd minute Captain Steffen Hofmann made his mark on the game. The talented playmaker saw his driving run stopped as he was upended 25 yards from goal. The Rapid talisman picked himself up to unleash a swirling drive that left Schranz in the visiting goal rooted to the spot.Rapid could smell blood and drove on ruthlessly striving for the second goal. Minutes after the equaliser a twisting run from Jelavic saw him beat two defenders, turn on a six pence and fire a shot only to see the goal bound effort cannon back off the upright.Then the freshly introduced Trimmel ran straight at the visitors backline and was scythed down in the area. The guilty Kärnten player saw red after picking up a second yellow for his troubles. Steffen Hofmann stepped up but saw his clean spot kick turned round the keepers left post.Unphased Rapid pushed on. Konrad was nearly played through following neat interplay and Kulovits was brought down in the area. What looked a stone wall penalty was turned away by the referee. Rapid finally broke the stubborn resistence in the 66th minute. A storming run by the impressive Trimmel ended with him giving Mario Konrad his first competitive Rapid goal on a plate. The flying winger squared a simple ball across the 6 yard box and the summer signing from Altach made no mistake.Kärnten then started to loose the plot as the Hutteldorfers turned the screw. Bookings were dished out at an alarming rate with Rapid looking like piercing the increasingly porous defence on a regular basis, Konrad and Jelavic looking to bag some goals. Pacult kept the substitutes coming as Rapid looked to press home their man advantage against tireing Kartnen legs. Dober replaced Konrad in the 74th minute, Trimmel moved up front to support Jelavic in what would prove to be an inspired move.It was the half time sub that would make the game safe in the 85th minute. After Jelavic’s failure to convert a 1 on 1 opportunity, Trimmel picked up the ball in a dangerous postion. The powerful youngster put his head down and burst through the withering defence, firing a crisp left foot finish past the bewildered keeper. A minute later Jelavic burst through again. With Trimmel in support he unselfishly squared the ball for his team mate to bag his second.Moments before the final whistle, Trimmel completed his unlikely five minute hattrick. The visitors had by now completely capitulated, Steffen Hofmann slotted the ball through one of the huge gaps in the rearguard, Trimmel latched on, rounding the keeper to complete his hattrick.On a day that saw Jimmy Hoffer say his goodbyes, it was good to see a youngster step up and take goalscoring responsibility, especially in the absence of Stefan Maierhofer. Rapid now go into their Europa league crunch game in great spirits.SK Rapid - Austria Kärnten 5:1 (0:1)Hanappi-Stadion, 13.900 Zuschauer, SR Rene Eisner Torfolge: 0:1 (20.) Gramann, 1:1 (53.) Hofmann (Freistoß), 2:1 (65.) Konrad, 3:1 (85.) Trimmel, 4:1 (87.) Trimmel, 5:1 (91.) Trimmel SK Rapid: Payer - Thonhofer, Eder, Jovanovic, Katzer - Hofmann, Heikkinen, Kulovits (88. Patocka), Drazan (46. Trimmel) - Jelavic, Konrad (74. Dober)Kärnten: Schranz - Salvatore (82./Ritzmaier), Zivny, Riedl, Gramann, Kaufmann - Hierländer (66./Pink), Schembri (74./Kröpfl), Blanchard, Hinum - SandroYellow Cards: Jovanovic, Jelavic bzw. Kaufmann, SalvatoreYellow/Red Karte: Gramann (58. Foul)Stats of the Game(gw)
31.08.2015