Sunday saw the tipp3 Bundesliga emerge from its winter hibernation, and the fixture list threw up a colossal first match back, namely the 304th Vienna derby. Favoriten rivals Austria made the short trip west to the sold out Hanappi Stadium for what would transpire to be a highly charged game littered with cards, goals, atmosphere and full blooded challenges. The game was a chance for Rapid to immediately cut Austria's imposing lead at the top of the table and attempt to haul themselves back into a title challenge. Trimmel grabs the initiative Any last minute words that may have been spoken between trainer Peter Schöttel and his team paid instant dividends: Rapid flew out of the traps full of belief and commitment, forcing the opposition back into their own defensive third and setting them under sustained pressure. Guido Burgstaller fired off the first effort of the match (5.), before a well struck Hofmann effort unfortunately went straight down Austria Keeper Linder's throat. The pressure finally told as Christopher Trimmel showed more determination than Lindner, beating him to a lofted corner to loop a header goalwards. The scrambling goalkeeper couldn't claw the ball away and Rapid went into a thoroughly deserved lead (21.). Green and White celebrations erupted around the stadium but unfortunately the party atmosphere was to be cut short as Rapid became the architects of their own downfall: a poor headed clearance from Gerson found its way straight to Hosiner who chested the ball before firing a powerful left foot half volley past Königshofer and into the far corner of the net (27.). Then just two minutes later a somewhat over motivated Branko Boskovic, making his second debut in Rapid colours, lunged in on Ortlechner and picked up a second yellow card (29.). Boskovic may have a point when he suggests that he got the ball, but it was a bit reckless having already received a booking. The games rhythm was then somewhat disturbed and a series of niggling fouls a yellow cards followed. The run up to half time needed to be a period of consolidation for the 10-man Hütteldorfers who needed to retain a football in the game. It was a goal they achieved and the teams went into the break tied at one a piece. Searching for a way throughDespite their numerical disadvantage, the Green and Whites came out for the second half and immediately began to re-impose themselves on the visitors, but the game was to be decided in the space of one crucial minute. A perfect Burgstaller cross was met by Christopher Trimmel who, without breaking stride, guided a powerful header straight into Lindner's midriff. Either side of the Austria keeper would surely have restored Rapid's lead (53.). A swift counter attack ensued: Austria quickly worked the ball to the left hand side of Königshofer's penalty area in the space of two or three passes, before a perfect cross found Hosiner who had pulled off into space at the back post. The Austria forward guided his header downwards, giving Königshofer no chance and putting Austria into the lead for the first time in the afternoon (53.). It was a bitter pill to swallow: two Austria forays forwards had resulted in two goals. Schöttel reacted by bringing on Boyd and Sabitzer and the pair brought fresh impetus with them. In the 70th minute Gerson had ventured forward and guided the ball narrowly wide have been played in by Steffen Hofmann. Bad luck then struck again when Boyd guided a header onto the crossbar before the ball dropped invitingly in the Austria penalty area, but it was to no avail as the whistle had already gone, the cross allegedly going out of play before curling back in. At the other end of the field Austria were looking to put the game to bed on the counter, but were finding it difficult to beat the likes of Mario Sonnleitner, who was putting in a giant performance at the back for Rapid. Our side gave everything trying to find a way back into the game but ultimately they came up just short and the score line remained 2-1 to the visitors. Numerically things were evened up in the 92nd minute when Koch departed for a foul on Sabitzer, but it was too late to have any bearing on the game. The 304th Viennese derby had ended in defeat despite the early promise of the first half. The lads can't afford to be too disappointed for too long as next up is a difficult trip to Salzburg. tipp3-Bundesliga, 21st round:SK Rapid - FK Austria 1:2 (1:1) Gerhard Hanappi-Stadion, 17.000 Attendance (sold out), Referee GrobelnikGoals: 1:0 (20.) Trimmel, 1:1 (27.) Hosiner, 1:2 (54.) HosinerSK Rapid: Königshofer - Schimpelsberger (64. Sabitzer), Sonnleitner, Gerson, Schrammel - Pichler, Boskovic - Trimmel, Hofmann (90. Wydra), Burgstaller - Alar (64. Boyd)FK Austria: Lindner - F. Koch, Rogulj, Ortlechner, Suttner - Mader (77. Kienast), Holland, A. Grünwald (67. Dilaver) - Stankovic, Hosiner, Leovac (46. Barazite)Yellow Cards: Alar, Schimpelsberger Lindner, DilaverYellow/Red Cards: Boskovic (29., Foul) Koch (92., Foul)(gw)
27.02.2013