A bristling atmosphere awaited both sets of players ahead of this crunch Europa League match. Three points for Rapid would wrestle the initiative back from the Israeli opposition as the race for qualification from Group C reached fever pitch.The first 10 minutes saw Rapid immediately take control and get on the front foot. The Green Whites manufactured the first opening of the game in the 6th minute. Jelavic got in behind the Israeli back line, his square ball lacking the power to find the lurking Rapid attackers.Two minutes later a sharp interchange between Hofmann and Kavlak nearly put in the lively Nikica Jelavic, the hitman failing to get contact on the ball two yards from goal.Branko Boskovic then drew a stunning save from the visiting keeper, a stinging thirty yard drive tipped over for a corner. In the 12th minute Hapoel snatched the lead completely against the run of play, a long range deflected effort from Yadin leaving Payer stranded. Heads didn’t drop however and with the decibels rising in the terraces Rapid nearly mustered an immediate response, Jelavic’ header kept out by Enyeama in the Hapoel goal.Rapid continued to push on in search of the equaliser, a Boskovic header flashing wide with the 48,00 strong crowd responding in true block west style. On their second foray into the Rapid half the visitors broke clear. Lynchpin Ragnvald Soma somehow got back to put in a vital tackle on Yeboah as the striker bore down on Helge Payer in the 20th minute. On 25 mins Boskovic was unlucky to be denied. Finnish enforcer Markus Heikkinen chipped a lovely ball to Jelavic who had found space on the left. His cross found the Montenegran whose goal bound drive was blocked by the Tel Aviv defence. A 35th minute Steffen Hofmann inswinging free kick was met by Jelavic, his looping header coming back off the cross bar. Minutes later a long range Dober free kick skidded wide of the upright as Rapid up the pressure.As the game approached the break Heikkinen played an intricate ball into Hofmann who in turn played a delicate pass into Jelavic, the away defence scrambled to get a vital last gasp toe to the ball and clear the danger. The half time break arrived with the Hapoel defence looking stretched and under pressure. The visitors looked far from impregnable and Rapid carried enough threat to suggest one moment of brilliance could turn the tie and the shape of the group on its head. A soaring chorus of support and raised scarves ushered Pacult’s men back into the fray. Two goals were needed to remain in control of their own destiny in Group C.A Nikica Jelavic snap shot was the first effort of the second half, his strike gathered comfortably by Enyeama. Hopefully this would be a sign of things to come. Pacult shifted the tactics in the 57th minute with Gartler replacing Pehllivan as Rapid switched to a more adventurous 442. The crowd maintained their fantastic support as they tried to drive on the Huetteldorfers against opposition content to sit in and employ time wasting tactics. Hapoel struck a hammer blow in the 64th minute. Gil Vermouth broke clear of a high Rapid backline before rounding Payer to leave Rapid with a mountain to climb.Christopher Drazan was added to the mix by Pacult, at the expense of Veli Kavlak as the Viennese looked to revive their fortunes. The substitute attempted to make an immediate impact with a long range effort that was dealt with by the Hapoel keeper. A stretched looking home side conceded a third in the 69th minute. Natcho received the ball in space in the penalty area and calmly dispatched the ball into net leaving a somewhat deflated feeling round the packed out Ernst Happel Stadium. The Block West re-gathered themselves and continued to show the awesome backing that this season has earned them the reputation of Europe’s most dedicated followers.As the game petered out, a Dober cross was met yards from goal by substitute Hamdi Salihi in the 87th minute. With the goal gapeing his effort struck the post as luck completely deserted the team. A consolation goal would have been the least a committed performance merited. The game drew to a close with Tel Aviv looking comfortable in possession, sat on a three goal lead. However, the crowd continued to be a spectacle to behold. It was in fact hard to believe it was their side behind in the match. Qualification from the group now looks tough, although all is not lost with two huge showcase games to come against Hamburger SV and Celtic. Two more opportunities await the Rapid fans to showcase their magnificent support.Rapid Wien - Hapoel Tel Aviv 0:3 (0:1)Wien, Happel-Stadion, 49.000, Referee Tommy Skjerven (NOR) Goals: 0:1 (13.) Yadin, 0:2 (65.) Vermouth, 0:3 (70.) Natcho Rapid: Payer - Dober, Soma, Patocka, Katzer - Heikkinen, Pehlivan (57. Gartler) - Kavlak (65. Drazan), Hofmann, Boskovic - Jelavic (80. Salihi) Hapoel: Enyeama - Bondarv, Badir, Douglas da Silva, Ben Dayan - Natcho, Yadin (87. Zandberg)- Vermouth, Vucicevic (59. Menteschaschwili), Shechter - Yeboah (73. Lala) Yellow Card: Yadin (gw)
31.08.2015