Finnish midfielder Markus Heikinnen made a long awaited return to first team action for the Hütteldorfers following muscular problems, and he was joined in midfield by Dominik Wydra who retained his place following an impressive performance away to Leverkusen. Another youngster, Dominik Starkl also kept his place in the side spearheading the Rapid attack. The young, fresh and attack minded team was supposed to impose themselves on Wolfsberg but unfortunately the guests hadn't read the script: after just 6 minutes WAC striker Falk got on the end of a teasing Liendl cross and buried a free header, much to the delight of the small band of travelling supporters. The Green & Whites slowly began to awake from their stupor and fashioned a 12th minute opening for Starkl, but the young striker couldn't get his header on target. Unbelievably the better chances were being created by the Carinthians and Falk should have doubled the lead in the 19th minute when he spurned a clear headed chance. Despite enjoying more possession, the Viennese never really looked threatening, and a long range effort from Starkl in the 36th minute was as good as it got Schöttel's side in the remainder of the first half. Terrence Boyd was introduced at half time but it was at the other end where the crucial action was taking place: again shortly after kick off, Wolfsberg once more caught the Rapid backline napping as Falk got on the end of a Jakobo centre and fired home his second of the match. Rapid managed to muster something in the way of a response: Christopher Trimmel was twice denied in quick succession by WAC keeper Dobnik, but disappointingly the Hütteldorfers soon ran out of steam and the flicker of hope faded. In the 51st minute the visitors threatened to make things embarrassing but Kehre lashed just wide whilst well positioned. On the hour mark Boyd scuffed an opportunity to maybe re-invigorate Rapid's challenge, but with the chance went the hopes of making a spectacle out of the game. Sadly the game was more or less up for Rapid: WAC were sitting deep and the Viennese were looking short on ideas and creative spark. It could have got even worse for Rapid who required Königshofer to deny Zakany in the 90th minute as the game threatened to lose any semblance of respectability. The whistle went and Rapid had to accept a deserved home defeat, and an important one that leaves them hanging onto the coat tails of title rivals Salzburg and Austria. tipp3-Bundesliga, 15th roundSK Rapid - WAC 0:2 (0:1)Gerhard Hanappi-Stadion, 13.000 Attendance, Referee EisnerGoals: 0:1 (6.) Falk, 0:2 (48.) FalkSK Rapid: Königshofer - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Gerson, Katzer - Heikkinen - Prokopic (46. Boyd), G. Burgstaller, Wydra, Grozurek (67. Schaub) - Starkl (83. Prager)WAC: Dobnik - Thonhofer, Sollbauer, Solano, Baldauf - Putsche - Kerhe (87. Zakany), De Paula, Liendl, Jacobo (90. Stückler) - Falk (77. Rivera)Yellow Cards: Schaub De Paula (gw)
13.11.2012