Not since December 9th at home to Wacker Innsbruck had Rapid achieved a maximum point haul. In a twist of fate, the dreadful run started back then with defeat against Wiener Neustadt. Nine games later and the team from Upper Austria was once more the opposition on Saturday for a fixture that the Viennese desperately needed to win to steady a ship that was well on truly on the rocks. However straight from kick off it became clear that the opposition had come with the intention of doing more than just make up the numbers. Goalless at the break....The Upper Austrians actually made the better start: Wallner threatened with a header as early as the second minute before a piece of last gasp defending from Michael Schimpelsberger was required as he cleared a Martschinko shot off the line to keep the scores level (8.). It took a while for the hosts, who were visibly short of confidence, to work their way into the game, but as they began to grow into the match they began manufacturing chances: firstly Christopher Trimmel tried his luck with a decent shot, before Dominik Wydra played a neat one two with Alar to force Wiener Neustadt keeper Vollnhofer into action (22., 24.). Now enjoying the bulk of the possession the Hütteldorfers still struggled to find a killer through ball to really press home their advantage. Without really creating too much in the other direction, Wiener Neustadt had shown enough to suggest that there was plenty for them in the game on the counter attack. A 37th minute header from Boyd that missed the target was as close as either side came to breaking the deadlock in the remainder of the first half.  ....then Rapid finally stepped it up a gearMarcel Sabitzer came on as a half time substitute and him came renewed momentum and attacking thrust, which quickly translated into a goal: a 49th minute Deni Alar free kick was met by Markus Katzer who made no mistake with his presentable headed chance to hand a 1-0 advantage to a very grateful Rapid! The goal gave the Green Whites the confidence sorely lacking in recent weeks, and they began to use the width of the pitch – the aforementioned Marcel Sabitzer looking particularly threatening. It came as no surprise that a second goal arrived soon later, it was even less surprising that Sabitzer was heavily involved: the young winger sent over whipped cross that was gleefully met by Alar who made no mistake with his header – 2:0 (56.) to Rapid and one hand on the three points. Now the self-confidence really began to flow through a team who were rediscovering that winning feeling. Guido Burgstaller and Alar passed up decent opportunities to end the contest in quick succession (68., 73.) as the shell shocked guests struggled to keep their slim chances of a point alive. With time running down the Hütteldorfers kept searching for a third to add a little gloss to a deserved victory. They nearly found it but Alar couldn't convert from close distance (80.), while substitute Louis Schaub went close six minutes later. The match remained 2:0 and represented was a richly deserved three points for Rapid and could provide the required tonic heading into the closing stages of the season. Next up is a home tie in the ÖFB Samsung Cup against Pasching – a return to form at just the right time could yet see Rapid end the season with silverware. tipp3-Bundesliga, 29th roundSK Rapid - Wiener Neustadt 2:0 (0:0)Gerhard Hanappi-Stadion, 12.800 Attendance, Referee EisnerGoals: 1:0 (49.) Katzer, 2:0 (57.) AlarSK Rapid: Novota - Schimpelsberger, Sonnleitner, Gerson, Katzer - Heikkinen, Wydra (85. Schaub) - Trimmel (46. Sabitzer), Alar, Burgstaller - Boyd (79. Boskovic)Wr. Neustadt: Vollnhofer - Mimm, Ramsebner, Wallner, Berger - Piermayr (62. Hofbauer), Hlinka - Pollhammer (75. Rakowitz), Offenbacher (62. Friesenbichler), Martschinko - FröschlYellow Cards: Wydra, Heikkinen, Boyd Hlinka, Mimm (gw)
17.04.2013