Rapid entered European competition again on Thursday by way of a Europa League qualifier away to Serbians FK Vojvodina. The side from Novi Sad currently occupy third place in the domestic Serb league. A raucous crowd filed into the Karadjordje Stadium to ensure a cacophonous reception awaited the Green & Whites, but the Viennese did not come alone: 600 hardy Rapid fans had travelled with the team and gave an excellent account of themselves on the terraces. A high tempo opening to the game saw the hosts nearly take a fifth minute lead through Aboubakar, but Rapid survived the scare.  Rapid dominate possessionRapid, showing multiple changes to the starting lineup, needed a spark to get themselves into the game. The first goal threat from the Hütteldorfers came by way of a Steffen Hofmann near post free kick in the 17th minute, before lone striker Terrance Boyd flashed a header wide 6 minutes later. Rapid were increasing the pressure, taking the game by the neck and could have gone ahead just after the half hour mark: Guido Burgstaller latched onto a loose back pass, and finding himself all alone with just the keeper to beat, chipped the onrushing goalie but guided the ball wide of the goal. The Viennese were now well in the ascendency but the final killer ball was often lacking, allowing the rocking Serbians to remain in the game. Bad luck strikes again The second half saw a slight drop in the quality of the football from both teams, in what had been up to this point a thoroughly entertaining encounter. Rapid were still looking the side most likely to break the deadlock, but concrete chances were proving hard to come by. Aboubakar made sure Lukas Königshofer was on his toes, testing the Rapid keeper with a 54th minute effort. It took a while before either side fashioned the next chance, but in the 74th minute Aboubakar broke free of the Rapid backline and beat Königshofer with a low drive into the far corner. Rapid bounced back: Boyd was clearly felled in the penalty area in the 82 minute and Mr. Reliable Steffen Hofmann stepped up to take the penalty. This time though Hofmann's crisp strike rebounded back off the post and away from the danger area. Manic end to the matchDespite the penalty miss the goalmouth action was far from over. Drama unfolded in the 92nd minute as Königshofer gathered the ball, and on hearing a whistle, placed it a couple of yards in front of him ready to take the resulting free kick. Unfortunately for Königshofer and Rapid, the whistle obviously hadn't come from the referee and Bojovic couldn't believe his luck as he tapped the ball into an unguarded net to double the Serbian side's advantage. Incredibly Rapid managed to find a response: Deni Alar's deflected shot beat the home keeper with the last kick of the game to register an absolutely vital away goal for the Green & Whites. The game in Vienna will be a completely different affair: it's all to play for and well within Peter Schöttel's side's capabilities to turn the tie around and to take their place in the next round at the expense of their Serbian opponents. UEFA Europa League, Qualification, 3rd round:  Vojvodina Novi Sad - SK Rapid 2:1 (0:0)Novi Sad, Stadion Karadjordje, 12.000 Goals: 1:0 Aboubakar (74.), 2:0 Bojovic (92.), 2:1 Alar (94.) Vojvodina Novi Sad: Supic Vulicevic, Djuric, Jokic, Pavlovic Serginho, Poletanovic (84. Ajuru) Skuletic (66. Bilbija), Moreira, Stevanovic Oumarou (90. Bojovic) SK Rapid: Königshofer Schimpelsberger, Sonnleitner, Pichler, Katzer Kulovits, Heikkinen Burgstaller (80. Alar), Hofmann, Drazan (68. Trimmel) Boyd Yellow Cards: Skuletic, Jokic, Djuric, Moreira, Pavlovic Pichler, Trimmel (gw)
08.08.2012