Sunday saw Rapid travel to Wals-Siezenheim to face Red Bull Salzburg. Following last weeks disappointing start to the second half of the season in Wiener Neustadt, the Green-Whites were looking for a better result in the second of their away double header. The Rapid side, again skippered by Markus Heikkinen in the absence of Steffen Hofmann, had an adventurous look to it. Kavlak and Drazan were in the side to provide threat from wings Prokopic was in midfield alongside Pehlivan and Heikkinen with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink up front.On the front foot early doorsIt was the Hütteldorfers who nearly opened the scoring on the six-minute mark the lively Drazan slipped past two Salzburg defenders before firing off a low drive that Tremmel in the Salzburg goal did well to smother. The early Rapid pressure continued and the home side showed signs of being under strain as keeper Tremmel sliced a back pass out for a corner. The ball was played short and came to the lurking Pehlivan, the home keeper again had to be on his toes to repel the combative midfielders stinging long-range drive. Salzburg stole forwards on a rare foray into Rapid territory in the 17th minute and earned a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the box as Kayhan blocked off Jantscher, earning himself a yellow card. The free kick was pulled back to Zarate who hit a ferocious drive, forcing Helge Payer into a desperate full length save.Rapid breakthrough fails to materialise as hosts come into match Salzburg nearly punctured the Rapid backline on 25 minutes. Christoph Leitgeb gathered a loose pass from Mario Sonnleitner and ran forwards feeding Wallner, who in turn played in Zarate. Payer raced off his line to foil the Salzburg striker, blocking his initial shot before being fouled as the Red Bull man had a second nibble at the cherry despite the ball being safely in Payer's arms. Markus Katzer attempted to reply for Rapid, the left back got the better of Zarate in the attacking third and played an inviting cross along the six yard box. The sliding Veli Kavlak just failed to apply the final touch. Just moments later Red Bull were celebrating taking the lead. Roman Wallner got the benefit of a marginal offside decision to get on the end of a Schiemer through ball. He used the chance to bury a left footed drive across Payer from 20 yards with 35 minutes on the clock. It wasn't a fully deserved lead but reflected the swing in momentum with Rapid unable to find the zip in their play on display in the first 15 minutes.Rapid look for responseChristopher Drazan stole in behind the Salzburg defence, latching onto a Katzer through ball. The young winger lifted his shot over the on rushing Tremmel but his goal bound shot was cleared by Red Bull centre half Sekagya. It was as close as the Hütteldorfers had come and served to highlight that the Salzburg rearguard was far from infallible. On the stroke of half time the Viennese earned a free kick on the edge of the box. A deflected Kavlak effort ballooned up and went out of play via a Rapid player. It was the last opportunity of the half for the Green Whites.Hofmann on for second halfRapid emerged for the second half showing one change to the starting line up: Inspirational captain Hofmann on for Yasin Pehlivan. Both coach's plans were thrown into disarray after just a few minutes however. Drazan and Cziommer came together off the ball with both players being shown the red card after a bout of handbags at 10 paces. A lot would now depend on which set of ten could maximise the use of the extra space. Despite minimal chances being created at either end, it was the Hütteldorfers who looked more comfortable playing a man light. Ibrahim Sekagya was replaced in the 58th minute after a late challenge from Vennegoor of Hesselink. The Dutchman saw yellow for the tackle. Prokopic was the next into the referee's book, bringing down Zarate on the edge of the box just minutes later.Midfield tussleBoth teams began to find the going tough, Zarate's 64th minute sight of goal ended with the ball in the top tier of the stand. The effort was a good summary of the second half efforts of both teams. More would be required to conjure a second goal of the afternoon. The Hütteldorfers found themselves down to 9 in the 69th minute, Boris Prokopic picked up a second yellow for a mistimed challenge on Jantscher. The Salzburg man certainly milked the situation, but it was a reckless tackle in the circumstances and there can be little complaint with the result.Soma levels proceedingsJust as Rapid’s chances appeared to have left with Prokopic the Green-Whites unbelievably drew level. A deep Hofmann cross was won by Katzer and directed to goal. Tremmel dived full length and did well to keep it out but the ball dropped to Soma, the big Norwegian couldn’t believe his luck as he tapped into an empty net. Despite their numerical advantage the home side looked shaken up and nervous. As the game entered the final 15 minutes it was impossible to guess the winner. Steffen Hofmann was the next to threaten but Tremmel kept out his left foot shot. Late exchangesIt was Salzburg who went close in the 81st minute as Schiemer's header just went wide of Payer's near post. It was at last a sign of life for the hosts. Huub Stevens cut an understandably frustrated figure on the Bull’s bench, the home sides coach could not have been happy with what he was witnessing, his team struggling to get to grips with 9 men. Frankie Schiemer turned creator for goal scorer Roman Wallner in the 84th minute the striker’s 8-yard header was thankfully straight down Payer’s throat. It was then Rapid’s turn to threaten as the game swung from end to end. Another Hofmann free kick caused problems in the box and broke to Markus Heikkinen. The Finns close range effort was blocked and scrambled away by desperate defending from the home team. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Pacult introduced Nuhiu for Kavlak as Rapid went in search of an unlikely three points with just 5 minutes left on the clock. With seconds left Salzburg passed up two great chances to snatch the points. Helge Payer did well to deny Schiemer after the Salzburg man had broken through one on one. The home side recycled possession and the ball was cut across the area to Leitgeb. The midfielder's effort was poor, he failed to get the ball anywhere near the target from 16 yards. It was to be the last effort of the game as the whistle went on what was a hugely entertaining encounter. Rapid must travel back east the happier of the two teams. To come from a goal down with only 9 men represents an excellent effort and a hard earned point.21st Round:RB Salzburg - SK Rapid 1:1 (1:0)Red-Bull-Arena, 15.800, Referee Einwaller Goals: 1:0 Wallner (35.), 1:1 Soma (71.) RB Salzburg: Tremmel - Bodnar, Sekagya (60./Hinteregger), Afolabi, Svento - Schiemer - Zarate (82./Hierländer), Leitgeb, Cziommer, Jantscher - Wallner (84./Boghossian) SK Rapid: Payer - Kayhan, Sonnleitner, Soma, Katzer - Heikkinen, Pehlivan (46./Hofmann) - Kavlak (86./Nuhiu), Prokopic, Drazan - Vennegoor of Hesselink Red Cards: Cziommer (47.) Drazan (47.) Y/R: Prokopic (69.) Yellow Cards: Schiemer Pehlivan, Kayhan, Vennegoor of Hesselink(gw)
28.02.2011