A good hour before kick off the mini stadium in Bad Vöslau was packed to the rafters and brimming with excitement ahead of the visit of the Austrian record champions. 2000 spectators, including 500 from Vienna, came to see David v Goliath in the shape of Rapid Vienna and regional side Bad Vöslau. The minnows from Vöslau could boast an impressive record of going unbeaten in their previous 24 outings, although the Green-Whites would provide a different calibre of opposition altogether. Tie killed off earlyThere was good news from the Rapid dugout as Guido Burgstaller took his place in the squad for the first time in a competitive match. The summer capture from Wiener Neustadt suffered a bad injury in pre-season and had finally recovered to take his place on the bench. The hosts started with a swagger but despite plenty of effort, lacked the quality to edge in front. In fact, the Lower Austrian's dreams of an upset lay in tatters after just 11 minutes. It was Hamdi Salihi who broke the minnows hearts, firstly grabbing the opener in the 10th minute following good work from Prager, then doubling the advantage from the penalty spot just a minute later. Prager struck the woodwork in the 24th minute before Atdhe Nuhiu made it three nil on the half hour mark as things threatened to get out of control for the underdogs. However they managed to survive the final 15 minutes of the half and made it back into their dressing room with no further damage. Unchanged for second halfAn unchanged Rapid emerged for the start of the second half. The Viennese took their foot off the gas with the tie well and truly in the bag, and on the hour mark the home fans got what they came to see. Wöhrer grabbed his moment of glory form the penalty spot after the award of a very dubious penalty. The goal changed little though, and as if to emphasise the gulf in class, Salihi completed his hat trick just one minute later. A great sight for Rapid fans too, as in the closing stages Burgstaller took to the field to mark his debut in Green & White. No more goals were added in the remaining 20 minutes and Rapid strolled, as expected, into the last 8 of the Samsung Austrian FA Cup. ÖFB-Samsung-Cup, 2nd round:ASK Bad Vöslau - SK Rapid 1:4 (0:3)Stadion Bad Vöslau, ca. 2.000, Referee Schüttengruber Goals: 0:1 Salihi (10.), 0:2 Salihi (11./Elfmeter), 0:3 Nuhiu (30.), 1:3 Wöhrer (61./Elfmeter), 1:4 Salihi (71.) SK Rapid: Novota - Schimpelsberger (58. Prokopic), Sonnleitner, Patocka, Katzer - Thonhofer, Kulovits, Prager, Saurer (79. Burgstaller) - Salihi, Nuhiu (62. Gartler) (gw)
27.09.2011