The Rapid line up for the last 16 clash against second division Altach in the ÖFB Samsung Cup had an unfamiliar look to it, owing to injuries and suspensions. Michael Schimpelsberger and Christopher Drazan were again on the team sheet, as was Boris Prokopic finally back from long term injury. The added freshness seemed to pay dividends as the Green & Whites raced out of the blocks and into an early lead: Mario Sonnleitner made it 1:0 to Rapid in the 5th minute with a no-nonsense finish following a corner from the returning Prokopic. Terrence Boyd fired off a couple of good efforts from half chances as the Viennese really imposed themselves on their lower league opponents. It seemed just a question of time before the Hütteldorfers would double their advantage. To this point the side from Altach had looked anything but dangerous - but the game was to be turned on its head. In the 37th minute keeper Novota conceded a penalty after colliding with Zech in the penalty area. Aigner stepped up to confidently stroke the ball home and draw the side from Vorarlberg level. The visitors completed a remarkable turnaround in the lead up to half time as Netzer converted a header following a corner in the 43rd minute. You would have got long odds on Altach leading at half time a mere ten minutes previously. Rapid looked to get on the front foot right from the start of the second half, and despite edging the game in terms of possession and territory, concrete chances were remaining illusive against the compact and deep sitting Altach. Boyd drew a smart save from keeper Kobras in the 59th minute in the first real goalmouth action of the half. Just as the tension was building and the Rapid fans had one eye on the clock, the Green & Whites manufactured the equalizer out of nothing in the 73rd minute: Guido Burgstaller played a teasing ball into the area and US Striker Terrence Boyd was on hand to slam home from close range. Boyd had the chance to win it late on for Rapid but couldn't convert a last gasp chance in the 88th minute. Extra time beckoned. The first chance in extra time fell to the plucky visitors: Ngwat-Mahop testing Novota in the 94th minute with a crisp effort. It was to be a silly error from Altach goal keeper Kobras that eventually lead to Rapid getting their noses back in front. Kobras was penalized for hanging onto the ball for too long, and from the resulting free kick Momo Ildiz slammed the ball into the corner to give Rapid the lead in the 104th minute. The stadium could breathe a collective sigh of relief. With a little over five minutes remaining, Rapid made sure of the result as Prager finished off a flowing counter attacking move that all but buried any Altach dreams of recreating their first half comeback. 4:2 to the Hütteldorfers it remained. Rapid had survived a major scare, but as in every cup competition it's only the results that count, and they take their place amongst the quarter finalists with one eye on the Ernst-Happel final. ÖFB-Samsung-Cup:SK Rapid - SCR Altach 4:2 n.V. (1:2, 2:2)Gerhard Hanappi-Stadion, 3300 AttendanceGoals: 1:0 Sonnleinter (5.), 1:1 Aigner (37., Elfmeter), 1:2 Netzer (43.), 2:2 Boyd (73.), 3:2 Ildiz (104.), 4:2 Prager (114.)SK Rapid: Novota Schimpelsberger (91. Prager), Sonnleitner, Gerson, Schrammel Ilidz, Kulovits Trimmel, Prokopic (46. Grozurek), Burgstaller (115. Pichler) Boyd(gw)
09.11.2012