Rapid went into the encounter with the men from Upper Austria in confident mood, unbeaten in the last seven and winning four on the spin. The game against Linz marked the first half of a Hannapi double header, the second game against Wiener Neustadt on Saturday sees the return of Rapid legend Schöttel to the club as part of the visitors staff.Rapid flew out of the blocks in search of the early breakthrough. Ragnvald Soma was the first to try his luck, stinging Cavelina's palms in the Linz goal early on. The livewire Drazan was next up, his blocked effort fell to Jelavic whose follow up was also blocked by a defence being stretched to the limit. Steffen Hofmann's cheeky long range effort nearly caught the keeper knapping before Branko Boskovic' long range effort flew well wide. Rapid continued to assert their dominance over the visitors, Captain Steffen Hofmann pulling the strings from right midfield. Linz manufactured their first opportunity on 26 mins, Rene Aufhauser's long ranger keeping Hedl on his toes between the sticks for Rapid. The LASK tactic of sit deep and counter nearly paid dividends in the 28th minute but Hedl got his fingertips to a Saurer effort at the expense of a corner.On the half hour mark the Upper Austrians, spurred on by their forward forrays, opened up a bit and the game became a more end to end affair. On 33 minutes Trimmel met a Steffen Hofmann corner but his header lacked direction. Seconds later Rapid produced the best opening of the game. A Christopher Drazan cross was met by Boskovic on the half volley, his goal bound shot cannoned back of the bar as Rapid were left to rue their luck. The Drazan and Boskovic pairing on the left side of midfield was looking very dangerous and provided a great outlet for the Hütteldorfers. Another long range Hofmann attempt and a blocked Jelavic shot failed to break the deadlock and half time arrived with the scores at nil nil.The second half got under way with Gartler replacing Trimmel as Pacult sought the all important first goal. It was the newly introduced striker who was next to draw yet another fine save from Cavelina following an excellent Drazan ball on 50 minutes. Heikinnen tried his luck from distance a couple of minutes later as Rapid continued to lay siege to the Linz goal. The influential Drazan was again the provider for the next chance, his ball diverted just wide by Jelavic. A Hofmann corner was met by the Rapid youngster in the 56th minute, his long ranger failing to trouble the scorers.As is so often the case in football, with Rapid pounding the LASK goal, the Linzers broke upfield and nearly snatched a smash and grab. A deft chip from Majavbi before the hour mark floated just over the bar to the relief of Hedl and the majority of the Hanappi stadium. In the 65th minute the heavily marked Jelavic got a rare sight of goal but lifted his effort well over the bar.With time running out, Pacult brought on Salihi in place of Kulovits as he switched to a three pronged attack. The boldness of the move almost paid dividends as first Jelavic and then Boskovic nearly rescued the three points for Rapid in stoppage time. It wasn't to be however and the beleagured visitors clung on for a point.30th round:SK Rapid - LASK 0:0Hanappi-Stadion, 13.800, SR HofmannSK Rapid: Hedl - Kulovits (84./Salihi), Eder, Soma, Thonhofer - Hofmann, Heikkinen, Boskovic, Drazan - Trimmel (46./Gartler), JelavicLASK: Cavlina - Metz (72./Bubenik), Piermayr, Chinchilla-Vega, Panis - Prager, Aufhauser, Majabvi, Saurer - Kragl (85. Skuletic), Mayrleb (78./Zakany)Yellow Cards: Boskovic Chinchilla-Vega, Panis, Kragl, Piermayr (gw)
31.08.2015