An electric atmosphere awaited both sets of players as they took the pitch. City pride was up for grabs as well as the chance for Rapid to move within 3 points of leaders Red Bull, having played a game less. With the visit of Graz and the trip to Salzburg looming, 3 points were the only option as the season enters a crunch period in the run up to christmas.With barely 5 minutes on the clock Steffen Hofmann put Rapid one-nil up. The talismanic skipper to a free kick 35 yards out. Safar in the away goal anticipated a cross and was caught by Hofmann too far from his line. The hapless keeper was left totally exposed as the ball slammed into the net, sending the block west into ecstacy. It was Safar under pressure again only two minutes later. Obviously not enjoying his Block West experience the shaky keeper almolst missed a corner, grabbing it with a second attempt. The rest of the opening third proved to be a scrappy affair, bogged down in the centre of the park with both sides wrestling for possesion.On 17 minutes Nikica Jelavic made it two - nil to Rapid. A tantelising Boskovic cross from the left flashed across the 6 yard box, Jelavic stooping at the far post to double the Green Whites lead. The Hanappi celebrated the second in style with a haze of red flares and green and white flags engulfing the terraces. Rapid then began to take control, looking menacing with every forray into oppostion territory. The visitors looking increasing intimidated by the hostile atmosphere. Five minutes after Jelavic's goal, his strike partner Gartler tested the nervous Austria keeper with a strong shot from the edge of the box following a powerful run. Austria Vienna threatened briefly on the half hour mark, Ragnvald Soma on hand to mop up the danger following some mis-communication in the Rapid backline.Ten minutes before the break Boskovic was replaced by Veli Kavlak in a like - for - like change by Pacult  following a shoulder injury. Austria´s only real threat was coming from set pieces. In the 36th minute a mistimed Heikkinen challenge gave a presentable opportunity on the edge of the box to Acimovic. The quiet Austria captain gently floatsed the ball into the third row of the away stand.Rapid twice went close to adding a third at the end of the half, a rasping Katzer drive just missing the upright before Jelavic stabbed just wide following Steffen Hofmann´s low centre. The Green Whites took a deserved lead into the half time dressing room, with the feeling that the lead could be extended in the second period.The second period kicked off with the Block West again in a red blaze. The support provided by the Rapid fans again setting the standards for others to follow.The opening minute of the half proved to be fairly lively. Jacek Bak received his marching orders from referee Stuchlik following a clumsy challenge as last man on Jelavic. Captain marvel Hofmann stepped up to show Acimovic how it should be done, bending a beautiful free kick into the right hand side of the goal, Safar no more than a spectator, rooted to the floor. Could Rapid now go on and inflict some serious damage on the beleagured visitors?Rene Gartler miscued a shot over the bar following good build up play and a ball from Steffen Hofmann as Rapid looked to ram home their advantage. Pacult introduced Christopher Trimmel to try and further strech the cross city visitors with the pacy wingers´ extra power and presence.Somewhat suprisingly, 10 minutes into the second half Austria clawed one back from a free kick, Hattenberger slotting home. The following period of play saw rapid content to keep posession and take the sting out of the match, most of the action playing out in the stands with the away supporters struggling to be heard in the face of the constant barrage from the Green White followers. With 25 minutes left Rapid began to up the ante again after quashing the Austria momentum. Jelavic saw his shot saved before Kavlak was denied by a good stop. His left foot drive repelled after the wideman had beaten his marker 10 yards from goal.Substitute Trimmel saw his drive turned away on 81 minutes. Good passing play along the face of the Austria box came to Trimmel in space on the right edge. His effort clawed was away by the keeper at his near post as Rapid looked to rub salt into Austria wounds. Salihi, on for Pehlivan, rounded off the scoring for Rapid in the 88th minute. Steffen Hofmann found Kavlak on the left side of the box. The winger turned his marker inside out before sliding the ball to Salihi. In the right place at the right time the forward rounded off the move with a calm side footed shot to ensure Austria were soundly beaten.Rapid played keep ball until the final whistle in front of an impressive sea of green and white flags. There would be no lucky escape for Austria this time around, the 4 - 1 scoreline just rewards for a game dominated by the Green-Whites. A big week for Rapid started in perfect fashion. The Hütteldorfers now look to wednesday night and revenging the 0 - 1 reverse in Graz earlier in the season.SK Rapid - FK Austria 4:1 (2:0)Hanappi-Stadion, 17.800, Referee StuchlikGoals: 1:0 Hofmann (5.), 2:0 Jelavic (17.), 3:0 Hofmann (47.), 3:1 Hattenberger (56.), 4:1 Salihi (89.)SK Rapid: Payer - Kulovits, Soma, Patocka, Katzer - Hofmann, Heikkinen, Pehlivan (85./Salihi), Boskovic (34./Kavlak) - Gartler (55./Trimmel), JelavicAustria: Safar - Standfest, Bak, Ortlechner, Suttner - Hattenberger, Sulimani (75./Klein), Junuzovic, Liendl (46./Diabang), Acimovic - Schumacher (49./Dragovic)Red Card: Bak (46./Foul)Yellow Card: Kulovits(gw)
31.08.2015