Peter Pacult shifted the starting formation into a 4-4-2 from thursday's 4-5-1 with Hamdi Salihi partnering Jan VoH in attack. Sonnleitner was again deployed at right back with Patocka and Soma in the centre. The setting couldn't have been more different to thursday night, the Fekete Stadium saw a turnout of just 6.500 spectators, a little way off capacity. It was a laboured start to the game by both sides, Rapid obviousley feeling their way back into action following the midweek match with Besiktas. Steffen Hofmann created the first chance of the afternoon, sending over a tantilising cross for Jan VoH, that the dutchman will probably feel he should have done more with, his header from close range missing the target. Yasin Pehlivan then unleashed a couple of drives from decent positions on the edge of the box, the second strike really extending Kapfenberg keeper Wolf. The hosts then created a couple of chances, long balls in behind the back row again proving to be the achilles heel for Rapid. Kröpfl raced in behind and attempted a delicate chip that, luckily enough, didn't carry enough power to trouble Raimund Hedl in the 32nd minute. Soon after, the injured Tanju Kayhan left the field to be replaced by Markus Katzer. On the stroke of half time another long ball caused problems in the Rapid defence as Elsneg outmuscled Jürgen Patocka and drew a fine save from Hedl in a 1 on 1 situation. Despite controlling the ball for long periods, it was a somewhat lacklustre display from the Hütteldorfers who were appeared to be strugglinging to adjust to their surroundings.The second half got under way with Rapid looking for more cutting edge. Hofmann played in Salihi in the 50th minute but the strikers control let him down and the ball ran through to Wolf. It was symptomatic of the way things are running for the Green Whites up front at the moment. Pacult responded by bringing Nuhiu into the game for the albanian in a like for like swap and the change nearly paid dividends in the 70th minute as the substitute thunder a shot at Wolf, the home keeper clawing it onto the bar and away to saftey. The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute as Sharifi received a second yellow for a harshly adjudged foul on Kavlak. Could this hand the viennese the required impetuos?The closing phases were again quiet, a Katzer header and a Nuhiu shot over the bar were as close as Rapid came before disaster nearly struck in the 87th minute. Unbeliveably the hosts broke on Rapid and Markus Katzer found himself alone with three Kapfenberg players. The home side somehow contrived to not even manage a shot on target following some poor play. Danger was averted and both teams settled for a point. On the balance of play it will be hard for Rapid not to feel that the points were there for the taking and got away. It was an afternoon whereby the crucial opener just wouldn't come. Next up after the international break is early pacesetter Wacker at the Hanappi. Rapid will be looking to slice into the Tyrol sides advantage and drag them back closer towards the chasing pack.10. Runde: Kapfenberg - SK Rapid 0:0Franz-Fekete-Stadion, 6.500, SR DrabekKapfenberg: Wolf - Sharifi, Mavric, Taboga, Kocin - Hüttenbrenner, Erkinger (46. Alar) - Kröpfl (74. Schmid), Sencar, Felfernig - Elsneg (62. Fukal)SK Rapid: Hedl - Sonnleitner, Soma, Patocka, Kayhan (33. Katzer) - Hofmann, Kulovits, Pehlivan (81. Trimmel), Kavlak - Vennegoor of Hesselink, Salihi (68. Nuhiu)Yellow-Red Card: Sharifi (76.)Yellow Card: Erkinger(gw)
31.08.2015