Following on from the emotionally charged derby date with Austria, the second heavyweight clash in as many games again lived up to its pre-match billing. This time our side was on the road, in Wals-Siezenheim to face the team directly vying with Rapid for second place, reigning champions Red Bull Salzburg. The crowd had barely had time to filter into the stadium before the hosts took the lead: Berisha found Kampl who raced through and beat Königshofer with just 34 seconds on the clock. The Green & White rearguard did well to weather the following storm, and after 15 minutes the Hütteldorfers sprung into life, creating four clear openings in the space of a few minutes: firstly Walke did well to repel a header from birthday boy Christopher Trimmel in the 14th minute. Boyd then came close from the resulting corner and then following another set piece Guido Burgstaller's effort crashed against the underside of the crossbar with Boyd firing the rebound into the outside netting. A wobbly Salzburg's one goal lead didn't look like lasting much longer, and that would prove to be the case…Edge of the seats, end to end affairThe Viennese were definitely having the better of an attractive, open game but the equalizing goal was remaining elusive: Boyd passed up the chance of the match so far. Standing all alone in the Salzburg penalty area the US striker guided his 32nd minute effort straight down Walke's throat. Incredibly Red Bull managed to hang on to their one-nil lead until the referee's whistle gave them the respite they needed, like a boxer on the ropes returning to his corner, they went into the half time team talk with the finest of margins still intact. Evidently following the break Salzburg hadn't sufficiently cleared their heads and Rapid picked up where they had left off in the first half only this time they managed to find a way through. A deep Trimmel cross found its way to Alar on the opposite flank, the forward played the ball back into the box towards his strike partner Boyd who this time made no mistake as his firm header deservedly leveled the proceedings in the 48th minute. Steffen Hofmann tried his luck for Rapid (52.), whilst Berisha replied for Salzburg (56.) – Both efforts narrowly missing the target. The game swung from end to end and the next to get in on the act was Ulmer, his ferocious drive cannoning back off the crossbar. It was an enthralling, frenetic, chance laden game and anybody's guess who might emerge victorious at this point. Then on the hour mark a huge blow was struck for the hosts: Tiegl managed to escape the attentions of Thomas Schrammel, and with the striker bearing down on goal Schrammel was adjudged to have deliberately halted the Salzburg man's progress through unfair means – red card and penalty to follow. Double blow for Rapid. Soriano dispatched the spot kick with a minimum of fuss to surely seal the win for the numerically superior hosts. Surely. Dramatic ConclusionDespite being a man light Rapid summoned all their effort and belief and again went on the attack, looking for a second equaliser. Their efforts were rewarded in the 82nd minute when a delicious Hofmann ball found Burgstaller who calmly dispatched the ball into the net to level matters once again and send the Rapid travelling masses into delirium. The celebrations were made to look somewhat premature however, as just minutes later Königshofer spilled a wicked cross and Hinteregger was on hand to punish the mistake giving Salzburg a 3-2 lead with five minutes left on the clock. Again Rapid gathered themselves and launched a final assault – which incredibly resulted in the third equalizer of an unbelievable afternoon: Boyd found Hofmann, who in turn found young substitute Sabitzer, and from a similar position to Burgstaller, he fired in the sixth and final goal of the game to bring Rapid deservedly level in the 92nd minute. It capped a fine, spirited performance from Rapid and earned a hard fought point against a Salzburg side who had also played their part in what was a truly memorable match. The boys now need to re-focus ahead of yet another heavyweight duel – this time in the shape of a home tie against the ever unpredictable Sturm Graz on Wednesday night. The fixture should prove to be equally as engrossing as the last two, with the difference hopefully being that it will yield Rapid's first three point haul since the re-start of the Bundesliga season. tipp3-Bundesliga, 22nd round:RB Salzburg - Rapid 3:3 (1:0)Red Bull Arena, 11.210 Attendance, Referee HameterGoals: 1:0 Kampl (1.), 1:1 Boyd (48.), 2:1 Soriano (69./Penalty), 2:2 Burgstaller (82.), 3:2 Hinteregger (85.), 3:3 Sabitzer (92.)RB Salzburg: Walke - Klein, Vorsah (46./Hinteregger), Dibon, Ulmer - Schiemer - Kampl (83./Alan), Leitgeb, Berisha, Lazaro (46./Teigl) - SorianoSK Rapid: Königshofer - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Gerson, Schrammel - Wydra (71./Katzer), Pichler - Burgstaller, Hofmann (95./Heikkinen), Alar (67./Sabitzer) - BoydYellow Cards: Kampl Schrammel, Pichler, Gerson, Boyd, HofmannRed Card: Schrammel (68.) (gw)
27.02.2013