Rapid took to the field in Klagenfurt looking to build on the recent success against Mattersburg. Back to back wins would provide much needed momentum with crunch ties against Salzburg and Austria looming. The first 10 minutes proved to be a scrappy afair in the sparcely populated Stadium, the home side enjoying more possesion and greater territorial advantage.Rapids first effort on goal came in the 17th minute. Steffen Hofmann’s over hit free kick nearly catching out the home keeper. Hamdi Salihi tried to cheekily „hand“ Rapid the lead in the 21st minute. The striker picked up a yellow card for diverting a cross into the net with his hand. Branko Boskovic then tried his best to add some spark to a rather dull first half, his left footed strike from the edge of the area provided a bit of goal mouth action in the 35th minute.That was to be the first and last action of the half. If Rapid were to secure all three points, a big second half improvement would be required. The Viennese briefly threatened in the 54th minute. A good cross from the sideline was blocked and fell to Boskovic on the edge of the area. A flurry of short passes failed to create an opening. In the 56th minute Pacult introduced Rene Gartler to try and inject some life into this extremely tepid affair.It was in the 58th minute that the unbelievable, yet somehow inevitable happened. Kärnten broke away down the right flank and squared the ball across the penalty area. Kaufmann stole in past the static Patocka to put the hosts into the lead. Pacult made his second change in the 65th minute. Trimmel replaced Pehlivan with Steffen Hofmann moving into a more central role. The game entrered the last 20 minutes with no sign of life from the Green – Whites. With such a lacklustre performance, devoid of any creativity, it was hard to see where the equaliser was going to come from.The answer was through substitute Christopher Drazan. Jelavic put the young winger through on goal with a firm flick on. Drazan, on for Veli Kavlak, kept his cool with a smart finish from 8 yards out to restore parity with the Hütteldorfers first real chance of the second half. Rapid then incredibly took the lead just two minutes later. Neat play from Boskovic on the edge of the are put in Rene Gartler. The young forward made it two in two appearances this term with a smart left footed finish. From absolutely nowhere Rapid were now on the verge of claiming the unlikeliest three points.Christopher Drazan then made sure in the 89th minute. A short free kick was taken to the wide man, and with the defence backing off, he unleashed a rocket from fully 25 yards to somehow score Rapid´s third to ensure Pacult´s side came back to Vienna with all three points. Despite being an ultimately decent result it would appear Rapid played their get out of jail free card tonight. Vast improvements will be sought in the halloween home match against SV Ried.SK A. Kärnten - Rapid 1:3 (0:0)Hypo Group Arena, 9.000, Referee PrammerGoals: 1:0 (58.) Kaufmann, 1:1 (82.) Drazan, 1:2 (84.) Gartler, 1:3 (89.) DrazanSK Rapid: Payer - Dober, Soma, Patocka, Katzer - Hofmann, Pehlivan (65. Trimmel), Boskovic, Kavlak (73. Drazan) - Jelavic, Salihi (55. Gartler)Kärnten: H. Weber - Salvatore, Hiden, Zivny - Troyansky - Hinum, Blanchard, Dollinger (57. Sandro), Prawda - Kaufmann, Mair (76. Pink)(gw)
31.08.2015