A hostile crowd awaited the Hüttdorfers in Tel Aviv as the Viennese took the field for their crunch Europa League tie in Tel Aviv. Three points for Pacults troops would have seen them take command of the group as the race for qualification heats up. Backed by the raucous travelling Block West, the men from Vienna almost snatched an early lead. Jelavic rose highest in a crowded Tel Aviv penalty area, his sharp header flashing just wide of the upright.The home side then looked to get on the front foot. A smart Andi Dober tackle keeping the Israelis at bay as they looked to break into the Rapid box. Half chances came and went for Hapoel, Rapid replying with an incisive break down the left, last ditch defending preventing a clear opening. On 16 minutes the first clear chance of the game presented itself. Elegant playmaker Boskovic chipped a cute ball into the path of Jelavic. The Croatian international cleverly turned inside his marker before screwing his snap shot wide of the nearside post. As the game settled into a rhythm following the hectic opening, Rapid began to gain the initiative. The midfield five were beginning to take control, dictating play and monopolising possession. It was during this positive period of play that Rapid fell behind. A rare foray into the Rapid box paid dividends for Tel Aviv. A through ball following a break from the right resulted in a goal mouth scramble. The ball bobbled over the line, possibly of the unfortunate Andi Dober to give the hosts the lead, against the run of play. However, Captain Fantastic Steffen Hofmann wasted no time in restoring parity. Only a minute after falling behind the talismanic midfielder whipped in a vicious cross come shot free kick that eluded all and sundry, sending Europe’s most dedicated fans into ecstasy, the rumblings surely shaking the roots of the Hanappi Stadion hundreds of miles away back in Vienna.In an action packed passage only a minute later the flying Helge Payer had to be at his best to deny Hapoel with a point blank reaction save. The frenetic pace turned up a notch as Jelavic thundered a header against the post in what proved to be the turning point in the encounter. The half time whistle is sounded just at the wrong time for Rapid, as the Viennese continued to press forwards, attempting to make their domination count on the scoreboard. The second half began as the first had ended, with more end to end action. Blows were exchanged before the first serious attempt of the half saw Steffen Hofmann go unrewarded with an instant snap shot. It took only five minutes of the second period before Hapoel made their intentions clear, Markus Katzer breaking up a dangerous attack down the Rapid left with some solid defending. Two minutes later it was the home fans celebrating again. Helge Payer was helpless as a 25 yard thunderbolt from Menteshashvili rifled into the net turning the tie on its head, sending a wave of confidence rippling through the hosts.  Rapid tried to respond, young winger Trimmel working an opening, his best efforts repelled by the home defence. Disaster then struck for Rapid as the Green Whites conceded a soft third. Soma backed off the on rushing Tel Aviv striker Shechter, who dispatched a 20 yard drive past a static Payer into the Rapid net. Hope briefly flickered for Rapid as Steffen Hofmann took a clever free kick, playing a quick one – two, unfortunately stabbing the resulting opening wide of the near post. Peter Pacult introduced top scorer Salihi as Rapid sought a way back into the game. It was the home side though who struck the decisive blow. It was in the 68th minute that any lingering hope in the travelling section was extinguished. More porous defending saw the Israelis get in down the left. A simple cut back and finish from Vermouth ended the game as a contest. More salt was rubbed into Rapid wounds as the hosts added a 5th in stoppage time at the end of the game. Despite the game heading towards an entirely unsatisfactory conclusion, the support searing down from the terraces was nothing short of spectacular. This season’s European campaign has re-established the Rapid faithful at the upper echelons of Europe’s top table. The truly magnificent support has come in for acclaim from all that have witnessed it, home and abroad. The result leaves little to the imagination. A poor night means qualification hangs firmly in the balance. Rapid have the chance to put things right with the visit of Hapoel on the 5th of November. With a very different setting, a reverse of the result is not out of the question. This was Rapid’s first defeat in a very tough Euro Group and the Viennese remain in firm control of the own destiny. Home ties against tonight’s opponents and Glasgow Celtic will surely prove key in the race for the top two spots in Group C.Hapoel Tel Aviv – Rapid 5:1 (1:1)Bloomfield Stadion, 10.000, Referee JakobssonGoals: 1:0 Dober (ET/30.), 1:1 Hofmann (31.), 2:1 Menteshashvili (54.), 3:1 Vucicevic (58.), 4:1 Vermouth (69.), 5:1 Lala (90.)Rapid: Payer – Dober (66. Salihi), Soma, Patocka, Katzer – Trimmel (73. Kulovits), Pehlivan, Hofmann, Boskovic (70. Jovanovic), Kavlak - Jelavic(gw)
31.08.2015