The Rapid starting line up bore a familiar look: in defence Sonnleitner and Pichler formed a center back partnership, flanked by full backs Katzer and Schimpelsberger. Trimmel, Drazan, Hofmann and Heikinnen made up the midfield, while Burgstaller partnered Salihi in attack. Only 6.500 spectators were in attendance a surprisingly low turn out by Rapid standards. The Green Whites flew out of the blocks again in a fashion reminiscent of the Vienna derby a week previous. Schimpelsberger was the first to offer goal threat with a shot from distance, before the first real opportunity came in the 12th minute: goalkeeper Gebauer cutting off Pichler's delicious ball before Salihi could capitalise. Somewhat against the run of play the visitors took a one goal advantage: ex – Rapid man Hinum's half volley deflected off the unfortunate Pichler to leave Payer stranded, a mere spectator as the ball deviated wickedly into the net. The Green Whites didn't let their heads drop though in the face of the setback and in fact quickly conjured a goal of their own. Hofmann and Burgstaller combined from a corner to set up Drazan whose wonder strike arrowed into the top corner. The crisp effort from the young Austrian international a certain candidate for goal of the month. The run in to half time saw Rapid dominate territorially and fashion two or three half chances. Any attacking threat from Ried was conspicuous by its absence but they remained composed and compact at the back, and went into the break on level terms. The second half began brightly with Steffen Hofmann trying to beat Gebauer with a sly free kick around the wall into the near corner, the Ried goalie scrambled to the foot of the post and survived the attempt however. Ried then threatened firstly through Carrill then Casanova as the visitors reminded Rapid that there were two teams in this contest. With 25 minutes to play Schöttel replaced Salihi with Deni Alar in an attempt to inject more goal threat into his side. In the 75th minute Hinum passed up the chance to really put his ex-employers to the sword, missing a guilt edged chance to take his side into the quarter finals. In the second Rapid change of the afternoon Prager came into the action in place of Trimmel. The change almost paid immediate dividends as Rapid fashioned a great chance down the right flank: Schimpelsberger laid the ball off to Burgstaller who got off a snap shot. Unfortunately the impressive Gebauer was again equal to the effort and the game headed into extra time. Adthe Nuhiu represented Schöttel's final throw of the dice at the start of the extra 30 minutes. Soon after the third kick off of the evening, Burgstaller played in Alar who in turn overran the ball, causing consternation and groaning in the stands. A real blow for the visitors was then struck as Christopher Drazan received a second yellow card for his efforts in the 100th minute of the game handing the initiative and incentive back to a Ried side, who, up to this point, had offered very little in the way of goal ambition.  The next presentable chance fell to Rapid in the shape substitute Nuhiu: the tall striker failed to convert the opportunity though, putting his header straight down the in form Ried goalkeeper's throat following a pin point cross from Burgstaller. The visitors began to show flickers of intent on the counter attack but the scoreline remained locked at one-a-piece. Disaster then struck for the Hütteldorfers with only 6 minutes on the clock and the game heading towards a penalty shoot out. A bullet 20 yard effort from Hadzic beat Payer to leave Rapid teetering on the brink of elimination. The Green Whites exit from the competition was confirmed minutes before the end when they were reduced to 9 men: Schimpelsberger receiving his second caution of the night for a mistimed challenge. The inevitable followed as Rapid were unable to create a final opening, meekly bowing out of the Cup in the early stages again, unable to overcome a tepid visitor in a luke warm match. (gw)