Our players returned unscathed from international duty to get on with the serious business of arresting a poor run of form and getting the campaign to qualify for European football back on track. A tricky tie in Ried awaited Peter Schöttel's side, for whom Christopher Trimmel donned the captain's armband in the absence of Steffen Hofmann. Terrence Boyd, Deni Alar, Guido Burgstaller and skipper Trimmel formed an attack minded foursome in the line starting line-up. However it was the hosts who were quickest out of the traps, and in the fourth minute they capitalized on their bright start: Rapid gave up possession in the middle of the park, handing the ball to Meilinger who broke forwards before crossing for ex Rapid man Rene Gartler to volley his side into an early lead. The Hütteldorfers mustered an immediate response: Christopher Trimmel was unlucky to see his header saved by Ried keeper Gebauer (7.), but it was academic as just minutes later Alar got on the end of a Burgstaller pass to level proceedings with a smart close range finish (9.). The game developed into an even encounter with neither team able to fully impose themselves. The next chance fell to Ried when Walch burst into the box only to be denied by a fine save from Lukas Königshofer (23.), whilst on the half hour mark a flat, rising drive from Christopher Trimmel had just too much elevation on it as Rapid answered back. The last 15 minutes of the first half yielded two nasty surprises for the Green-Whites: firstly full back Thomas Schrammel was replaced by Markus Katzer having picked up an injury (36.). Disaster then struck for Lukas Königshofer right on the stroke of half time when he misjudged an aerial ball which was seized on by Gartler, who in turn fed Meilinger who slotted home to give Ried the advantage at a crucial stage in the game (45.). The goal was a huge setback for Rapid who would've counted themselves unlucky to be trailing at the break. Matters got even worse at the start of the second half as Ried doubled the advantage with their first foray forwards as an unmarked Nacho made his way into the Rapid penalty area to score with a close range header (52.). Trainer Peter Schöttel reacted by throwing Marcel Sabitzer and Markus Heikkinen into the fray (57.). The shell shocked Viennese attempted to muster a response but found the going tough against a Ried side with their tails up. A series of free kicks, corners and long range efforts came to nothing Terrence Boyd's 77th minute header came close but looped onto the top of the crossbar. The last 10 minutes saw the Hütteldorfers throw caution to the wind and chances on the counter were being spurned by the hosts for whom Rene Gartler had a glorious opportunity in the 86th minute to put the game to bed but failed to round off a swift counter attack. Deni Alar grabbed his second of the afternoon in injury time, scoring with a powerful drive from distance, but it was too little, too late for Peter Schöttel and his side who went down to another defeat by the odd goal. Next Saturday sees Rapid back on the road as they travel to face Tyrolean strugglers Wacker Innsbruck.  tipp3-Bundesliga, 27th round:SV Ried - SK Rapid 3:2 (2:1)Keine-Sorgen-Arena, 6.200 Attendance, Referee DintarGoals: 1:0 Gartler (5.), 1:1 Alar (9.), 2:1 Meilinger (45.), 3:1 Nacho (53.), 3:2 Alar (90.)SV Ried: Gebauer - Ziegl, Reifeltshammer, Riegler - Hinum, Hadzic (53./Reiter), A. Schicker - Walch (72./Grössinger), Nacho, Meilinger - Gartler (90./Hammerer)SK Rapid: Königshofer - Schimpelsberger, Sonnleitner, Gerson, Schrammel (39./Katzer) - Wydra (56./Sabitzer), Pichler (56./Heikkinen) - Trimmel, Alar, Burgstaller - BoydYellow Cards: Ziegl, Riegler, Hinum Gerson, Trimmel, Burgstaller, Schimpelsberger (gw)
09.04.2013