Following injuries to Mario Sonnleitner and Dominik Wydra the Rapid side that took to the field against Pasching had an unfamiliar look to it: Louis Schaub began in midfield, Harry Pichler stated in central defence and Jan Novota was again the preferred option in goal. Our slovakian keeper produced an excellent first half performance, sorry to say however he was tested far too often by the Non-League minnows from a Rapid perspective. Novota holding Pasching at bayThe guests came at Rapid with no fear and a determination to make the most of their chance on the big stage: as early as the 7th minute Novota was called into action to deny Kablar and then Kovacec  (14.) with a couple of outstanding saves, keeping us in the game early doors. Further dangerous efforts rained down on Novota's goal as Krammer (19.) and Schobersberger (22.) tried their luck. All that stood between The Upper Austrian outfit and a dream lead was the excellent form of the Rapid keeper. Peter Schöttel attempted to stem the one way traffic on the half hour mark when he brought on Guido Burgstaller for Gerson, but the change did little to dent Pasching's technical superiority in the attacking third. Kovacec was then again involved, getting on the end of a cross and unleashing a powerful volley that Novota somehow tipped onto the post (36.). Surely things could only get better in the second half? Casanova breaks Rapid heartsThe half time break appeared to have done Rapid some good: Marcel Sabitzer began to look a little livlier again, his effort from distance two minutes from the restart may have gone just wide of the upright but it was at least a signal of intent following the baffling first half performance. Pasching were finally being exposed by Rapid who were taking control of the game: the high pressing up the pitch that was so evident in their game in the first half subsided somewhat and they looked to establish banks of four and hit Rapid on the break. And incredibly the tactic paid dividends. Krammer gathered the ball, fired it into the feet of Casanova on the edge of the Rapid box where a combination of first touch and slight miscontrol was enough to pierce the Green-White backline and he made no mistake with a low finish past the helpless Novota – 0:1 (60.). Shortly afterwards Sobkova could have made the game safe for Pasching but his low effort went just wide (68.). Rapid tried to press forwards in search of an equaliser, but creativity was sorely lacking and they failed to create any openings worthy of reporting. As the final whistle blew it was hard to deny Pasching deserved their place in the next round, and strangely the feeling that a giant killing shock had just taken place was somewhat absent. (gw)
18.04.2013