With derby debutant Marko Maric retaining his place in goal, Rapid got underway in a rocking Ernst-Happel-Stadium, looking to right the wrongs of this season's three previous derby encounters. The first minutes saw both sides trying to feel their way into the contest in the bright Viennese sun, before the first chance of the afternoon fell to the Hütteldorfers: a long ball wasn't dealt with properly by outrushing Austria keeper Hadzikic and his sliced clearance fell straight to Beric, who attempted to lift the ball from distance over the scrambling Austria defenders, but failed to get the necessary accuracy as his effort went a couple of feet wide (9.).  Schobesberger in the company of legendsRobert Beric and Flo Kainz both tested the suspect Hadzikic within a minute (15., 16.), before the agile Maric was called into action for the first time by a deep free-kick that threatened to deceive and find its way directly into the net (19.). Despite Rapid clearly having the upper hand it took until the stroke of half time before they forged ahead. When the goal did arrive, it through an unsurprising source: Flo Kainz slid Robert Beric in down the left hand side of the Violets' box, the Slovene crossed low into the box to Philipp Schobesberger who made no mistake, tapping into an unguarded net from a few feet out to hand Rapid a deserved lead - 1:0 (44.)! Schobesberger's incredible form has now seen him net in seven consecutive league games and thus equal club legend Hans Krankl's achievements in the 1977/78 season. Cool Hofmann supplies the answerShortly after the half time break Austria caught the Rapid back line napping: the ball was worked to De Paula, who rifled and unstoppable shot past Maric to snatch an unlikely equaliser for the guests 1:1 (52.). But Rapid didn't allow any doubts to creep in, got back on the front foot, and promptly restored their advantage: Robert Beric drew a rash challenge from Hadzikic after a slide rule pass from Schwab had played him in on the Austria keeper, leaving referee Lechner with little alternative but to point to the spot. With the Rapid fans massed behind the goal Steffen Hofmann stepped up and sent Hadzikic the wrong way before charging off to join in the emotional celebrations in the front of the home end - 2:1 (55.)!  Ruthless Rapid punish AustriaThe instant repost from Rapid knocked the confidence out of their fragile city rivals and after Hofmann's goal there was only going to be one winner. Robert Beric was clearly in the mood to grab a derby goal, and after going close on several occasions he finally managed it: Philipp Schobesberger repaid the early favour, picking up a pass from Stefan Schwab on the right flank, he manufactured some space before crossing low to Beric, who did well to guide the ball home from a few yards after it sat up awkwardly in front of him - 3:1 (70.) and no way back for a beaten Austria. Rapid continued to create chances against a demoralised opponent who, in truth, had struggled to cling onto Green & White coattails from the kick-off. In the final minute Rapid did add the fourth their efforts had deserved, when a cross from Stangl found its way to vice-captain Mario Sonnleitner in the box, who did his best impression of a striker, lashing a volley into the far corner giving Hadzikic no chance - 4:1 (90.)! And so the score line remained, offering a clear reflection of the gulf in class between the two sides. The victory also represented an important milestone for Rapid who have now all but secured at least third place in the league! tipico Bundesliga, Match Day 33SK Rapid - Austria 4:1 (1:0)Ernst-Happel-Stadium, 29.800 Attendance, Ref LechnerGoals: 1:0 Schobesberger (45.), 1:1 De Paula (52.),  2:1 S. Hofmann (55./Elfmeter), 3:1 Beric (70.), 4:1 Sonnleitner (89.)SK Rapid: Maric - Pavelic, Sonnleitner, M. Hofmann, Schrammel - Petsos, Schwab (74./Behrendt) - Schobesberger, S. Hofmann (88./Stangl), F. Kainz (81./Alar) - BericFK Austria: Hadzikic - F. Koch, Rotpuller, Stronati, Suttner - M. Leitgeb (69./Kvasina) - De Paula, Grünwald (56./Royer), Holzhauser (46./Holland), T. Salamon - GorgonYellow Cards: Suttner, M. Leitgeb(gw)
18.05.2015