125 JAHRE SK RAPID
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28.02.2017
tipico Bundesliga

Disappointing 1:2 defeat in Wolfsberg

Rapid took to the field in Styria with the same line up that had begun the home match against Admira a week previously. The Hütteldorfers approached the match versus WAC looking to buck a worrying trend: in the previous nine meetings at the Lavanttal Arena Rapid have been able to claim a maximum points haul on one solitary occasion. Trainer Damir Canadi looked to dispel any notions of bogey teams or previous form, insisting that the results sequence belonged in the past and should have no baring on current affairs. So onto the match, which all in the traveling Green & White party - as well as those at home in the capital - were desperately hoping would yield a first victory of 2017.

Thomas Schrammel was named on the bench for the first time since sustaining long term injury; the defender taking his place amongst the substitutes which included Joelinton. The Brazilian had been missing last time out owing to suspension. Rapid looked to get off to a positive start and stamp their authority on the game, as underlined by a second minute long shot from captain Stefan Schwab. Andi Kuen was the next Hütteldorfer to try his luck, drawing a smart stop from WAC keeper Kofler (8.). But the first guilt edge chance created - and passed up - fell to Louis Schaub: slick build up play in the middle of the park put Schaub in on goal, but his effort was too central and Kofler snuffed out the danger without too much fuss (20.). When Gio Kvilitaia then went close with a header, it looked like it was Rapid who were the more likely to open the scoring. However - as so often this season - this wasn't to be the case: a long ball into the Green & White penalty area was brought under control by Standfest before he fed a cross into the middle where it found Tschernegg, who converted the straight forward chance - 0:1 (35.). There were chances for Rapid to restore parity before half time, but both Louis Schaub and Arnor Traustason missed two presentable opportunities as the Viennese again lacked a clinical edge up front.

Unsurprisingly Canadi looked to influence the game from the bench, and introduced Joelinton and Szanto in the hope of adding extra cutting edge to the proceedings. There was little action at either end of the pitch in the opening phase of the second half, but with little sign of a breakthrough arriving Rapid snatched a goal: Mario Pavelic got on the end of a corner, his strangled shot landed at the feet of Mario Sonnleitner, who, from inside the six-yard box, stabbed home to drag Rapid level - 1:1 (62.).

Having battled to get back on terms, all the hard work was almost instantly thrown away: Tobias Knoflach did superbly well to claw a good long range shot from Klem around the post, after the WAC man was afforded space on the edge of the area (63.). At the other end a Joelinton header missed the target by a matter of inches (70.), whilst fellow substitute Szanto went close with a driven effort that went just the wrong side of the far post (78.). As has so often been the case in Wolfsberg though, just as Rapid pushed for the win there was to be a sting in the tail: from a free kick Leitgeb stole in to head his side back into the lead and consign Rapid to another disappointing defeat (80.).

The Hütteldorfers' late charge failed to materialize in a goal, and Canadi and his players were again left to reflect on what might have been in another game of fine margins and painful late goals.

(gw)

tipico Bundesliga, 23rd round:
WAC - SK Rapid 2:1 (1:0)
Lavanttal-Arena, 4.350 Attendance, Ref Ouschan

Goals: 1:0 (36.) Tschernegg, 1:1 (61.) Sonnleitner, 2:1 (79.) M. Leitgeb;

WAC: Kofler - Standfest, Sollbauer, Rnic, Palla (86./Baldauf) - Zündel (27./Sanogo; 46./Offenbacher), M. Leitgeb, Tschernegg, Klem - Orgill, Prosenik;

SK Rapid: Knoflach - Auer (54./Szanto), Sonnleitner (87./S. Hofmann), M. Hofmann - Pavelic, Dibon, Schwab, Kuen - Schaub (54./Joelinton), Traustason - Kvilitaia;

Yellow Cards: Prosenik; Auer, M. Hofmann