The opening stages of the game saw home side seem happy to oblige as Rapid's first goal threat arrived on 19 minutes. Steffen Hofmann's corner found its way invitingly to Christopher Drazan, his goal bound shot was repelled by the home defence. Rapid were making heavy work of things, struggling to get their free flowing football from the previous weekend going again. The Hütteldorfers were certainly not heped by the appalling conditions as the rain pelted down. When Rapid did manufacture their trademark football it nearly resulted in the opening goal. Hofmann played the ball into Jelavic, his shot on the turn was cannoning back off the goal frame. Shortly before the break Hedl was picking the ball out of the net. Hinum received a cross and layed it off to Kaufmann. From short range he converted the opportunity to give the hosts a shock lead. The unfortunate Veli Kavlak exited proceedings three minutes before the break, replaced by Yasin Pehlivan. The wide man was suffering the ill effects of a suspected pulled muscle. Jelavic then got on the end of an excellent Drazan cross as Rapid pushed for the leveller before half time. The Croatian's header just failing to drop into the net. The Green Whites weren't to be denied their first half equaliser however. Kärnten goalie Schranz could only parry a Jelavic shot following more good work from Drazan, and Markus Heikinnen was on hand to capatilise on the rebound, making no mistake from short range. In the 53rd minute Trimmel passed up an excellent opportunity to put Rapid in front. Fortunately, he only had to wait a matter of sceonds to atone as a Markus Heikinnen assist set up the young forward to bag his first cup goal in Green & White. The joy was short lived however, as just three minutes later Jelavic put through his own net following a Dollinger free kick. It was to be his last involvement as he was replaced soon after by Rene Gartler. With the scores level both teams had to fight hard with neither giving an inch. As the half wore on Rapid began to find the fluency that was lacking in the first period. Just as the Rapid final 15 minutes started Austria Kärnten dealt what would transpire to be the killer blow. Kulovits conceded possesion in midfield and the ball was moved quickly into the Rapid area. The ball took a cruel deflection off Ragnvald Soma to hand the hosts a 3 - 2 lead in the most fortunate of circumstances. Pacult reacted instantly, throwing on Salihi for Kulovits and switching to a 3-4-3 formation. An 84th minute Hofmann free kick was the closest Rapid came to pulling the tie from the fire, eventually going down to a dissappointing defeat and exiting the cup.Austria Kärnten - Rapid 3:2 (1:1)Hypo-Group-Arena, 3.000, Referee GanglGoals: 1:0 Kaufmann (40.), 1:1 Heikkinen (44.), 1:2 Trimmel (54.), 2:2 Jelavic (56./Own Goal), 3:2 Hierländer (76.) A. Kärnten: Schranz - Sollbauer, Elsner, Gramann, Salvatore - Pusztai (68./Pucker) - Kaufmann, Hinum, Dollinger, Sandro - HierländerSK Rapid: Hedl - Dober, Soma, Patocka, Kulovits (80./Salihi) - Kavlak (42./Pehlivan), Heikkinen, Hofmann, Drazan - Jelavic (60./Gartler), TrimmelGelbe Karten: Pusztai, Sandro, Kaufmann Patocka, Heikkinen (gw)
31.08.2015