Rapid took to the field in Innsbruck with Jan Novota in goal and Markus Heikkinen in the central defence, despite having the normal first choice options for both positions fit and available for selection. As expected Markus Katzer came in for the injured Thomas Schrammel, whilst Marcel Sabitzer replaced the suspended Christopher Trimmel. The pre-match aim was without question a first maximum points haul since the winter break against a Wacker side currently occupying last place in the Bundesliga table. Numerical advantage for RapidThe Hütteldorfer's first task of the afternoon was to see off a spirited opening from the lowly hosts: Schilling popped up in the Rapid box in the second minute but the Rapid backline stood firm and cleared the danger. A 14th minute Markus Katzer header from a corner represented the Green & Whites first effort on goal, but it was Innsbruck applying the attacking pressure. The host's good start was almost rewarded in the 17th minute as a header looped onto the crossbar, then just two minutes later Roman Wallner drew a smart stop from Jan Novota. Rapid's task was however made somewhat easier by a rash challenge from Innsbruck defender Kofler: Deni Alar got goal side of the Innsbruck defence and was felled by a clumsy tackle by the aforementioned Kofler, who was correctly dismissed for denying Alar a clear goal scoring opportunity. The Viennese looked to make the most of their numerical advantage and should've taken the lead through Terrence Boyd, who having found oceans of space 8 yards from goal guided a firm header against the crossbar (37.). Pressure finally tellsA determined Rapid outfit emerged from the half time team talk and set about trying to wrap up a much needed victory. The crucial breakthrough almost arrived five minutes after the restart but again another golden chance went begging as Alar narrowly missed the target with a header from a Katzer cross. Innsbruck keeper Safar then produced a good stop to deny Sabitzer (52.), before the same player put a dangerous cross/shot into the box that was begging to be turned into the net but found no takers (59.). As the pressure mounted the stretched Innsbruck defence finally cracked: a powerful long shot from Wydra was parried out by Safar, but only as far as the lurking Boyd who dispatched the ball first time from close range to provide Rapid with the crucial breakthrough (66.). Things were to get much worse for the Tyrol side just minutes later when Hauser upended Guido Burgstaller to earn himself a second yellow, leaving behind him just 9 team mates to try and find an unlikely way back into the game (73.). Just as it looked like Rapid would put an end to their wretched run of form disaster struck: a cross from the left wing was only half cleared by Markus Katzer's header and fell straight to Wallner who's first time shot was kept out by Novota, the rebound however fell perfectly to Perstaller to sweep home what was from a Rapid perspective an incredibly disappointing equalizer (82.).  Boyd had one final opportunity to rescue the situation for the Green-Whites but fired a well struck shot narrowly wide of the far corner. The home side threw everything into a late rearguard action in an effort to cling on to their unlikely point. The final whistle came as a relief to the besieged Innsbruck defence and Rapid had to be satisfied with a solitary point.  tipp3-Bundesliga, 28ht round:Wacker Innsbruck - SK Rapid 1:1 (0:0)Tivoli-Stadion, 5.600 Attendance, Referee MuckenhammerGoals: 0:1 (66.) Boyd, 1:1 (82.) PerstallerWacker: Safar - Schilling, Kofler, Svejnoha, Hauser - Piesinger, Abraham - Schütz (91. Schreter), Hinterseer (58. Saurer), Wernitznig (71. Perstaller) - R. WallnerSK Rapid: Novota - Schimpelsberger (85. Starkl), Sonnleitner, Heikkinen, Katzer - Wydra, Kulovits - Sabitzer (83. Grozurek), Alar, Burgstaller (76. Boskovic) - BoydYellow Cards: Schütz, Svejnoha Kulovits, Boyd, Schimpelsberger Red Card: Kofler (24.)Y/R Card: Hauser (74.)(gw)
17.04.2013