If truth be told, the visitors could have been buried in the opening 20 minutes. Chances came and went for Jelavic, Salihi and Kavlak before Patocka got on the end of a Hofmann free kick, the big man's shot coming back of the upright. With clever Rapid build up play, it was hard to believe the game was still deadlocked, Rapid looking like scoring with every possesion. The besieged visitors looked to soak up the pressure and hit Rapid on the break. They survived to the break with the score still at 0 - 0.Rapid finally kicked the door in three minutes after the interval. Jürgen Patocka did his best centre forward impression, slamming the ball home at the second attempt. Up from the back for a corner, the ball dropped to our number three and he made no mistake from 15 yards with his left foot drive.Mattersburg were now really struggling to contain the free flowing Rapid football and it was no suprise when the lead was doubled in the 59th minute. Nikica Jelavic took his seasons tally to 11 as he ghosted in at the near post to slide the ball home with a deft finish. Ten minutes later Salihi wrapped up the victory after showing predatory instincts, capatilising on a handling mistake by Bliem in the away goal.A cracking performance from Green-Whites keeps the pressure on at the Bundesliga summit. The confidence Pacult's troops will have gained from this performance should see them through the forthcoming triple header with basement boys Kärnten.26th round:SK Rapid - Mattersburg 3:0 (0:0)Hanappi-Stadion, 14.800, Referee HarkamGoals: 1:0 Patocka (48.), 2:0 Jelavic (58.), 3:0 Salihi (68.)SK Rapid: Hedl - Dober, Soma, Patocka, Katzer - Hofmann (87. Trimmel), Heikkinen, Boskovic, Kavlak (74. Drazan) - Jelavic, Salihi (82. Gartler)Mattersburg: Bliem - Pauschenwein, Malic, Chrappan, Rath - Spuller (70. Doleschal), Sedloski, Mörz, Schmidt (62. Farkas), Atan (82. Salamon) - WaltnerYellow Cards: Patocka, Soma, Dober, Drazan Atan, Pauschenwein, Chrappan, Schmidt(gw)
31.08.2015