The pre-match team sheet bore a couple of surprise selections from Trainer Zoran Barisic for the game against Lower Austrians Wiener Neustadt: Lukas Denner came in for his full début at left back, whilst new signing Thanos Petsos started as the holding midfielder. The new look line up came hard and fast at Wiener Neustadt right from the kick off and the approach almost paid immediate dividends: in the first minute an arching cross from Christopher Trimmel was met perfectly by Terrence Boyd but visiting keeper Siebenhandl produced a top quality save to repel Boyd's downward header (1.). Minutes later Siebenhandl again came out on top against the lively Boyd after the American was slid in by an inch perfect Steffen Hofmann pass (7.). Shortly afterwards Dominik Wydra was forced off through injury following an unfortunate coming together with a Neustadt player. The initial diagnosis isn't great and shows damage to the interior tendons that could see the youngster spend a long spell on the treatment table.Feel good factor surges backThe game took on a different complexion after 15 minutes when Rapid, already clearly dominant and in the ascendancy also gained a man advantage. Wiener Neustadt defender Mimm went in extremely high on Boyd with an outstretched leg leaving referee Dominik Ouschan no choice but to brandish a red card for the foolish challenge (15.). Rapid had already been moving the ball around the park swiftly and with aplomb, and now with a man advantage sought to utilise the extra space on offer to stretch the opposition even more. It seemed only a matter of time before the attractive Green & White possession football yielded a goal and so the case proved to be: another beautiful swinging cross from the increasingly influential Trimmel was met by Guido Burgstaller who headed the ball past the helpless Siebenhandl to give Rapid a richly deserved advantage - 1:0 (28.). Louis Schaub then went close with a decent long range effort, but it was Burgstaller who was again on hand to double the Hütteldorfers advantage: a delicious defence splitting ball from Hofmann made a mockery of the guests attempts to push up and play offside and found Burgstaller yards from goal who made no mistake, firing between the keeper's legs from close range - 2:0 (38.).Hungry for moreRapid picked up in the second half where they had left off in the first: in complete control, playing some attractive passing football and looking to rack up a few more goals against a clearly inferior and tiring opposition. The first goal of the second period wasn't long in coming: another cross from the outstanding Trimmel was met at the near post this time by Terrence Boyd, and with a thumping header the American added a goal which his play and forward movement had clearly merited - 3:0 (52.). Wiener Neustadt, when not out on their feet, were certainly on the ropes and there was no let up in the pace from their hosts as the chances continued to flow. Pestos tried his luck twice in quick succession (57., 58.), Burgstaller's deflected cross hit the top of the crossbar (59.) and following an inviting cross by Louis Schaub, Christopher Dibon came within inches with a header (63.). A beaten and battered Wiener Neustadt succumbed to a fourth not long afterwards as the waves of attacks finally proved too much: a Burgstaller cross evaded everyone, but Terrence Boyd was lurking at the back of the six yard box, and, as the ball stood up, did well to generate enough power in his precise header to beat Siebenhandl for his second, and Rapid's fourth of the afternoon - 4:0 (77.). The Green & Whites took their foot off the gas in the closing stages but remained dangerous and purposeful in possession up until the final whistle.Rapid had been in the mood for goals and had produced some incisive football that was far too much for the 10 men of Wiener Neustadt. There couldn't have been a better way to warm up for the trip to Tripolis this coming Thursday.tipp3-Bundesliga, second match day:SK Rapid - Wr. Neustadt 4:0 (2:0)Gerhard Hanappi-Stadion, 11.500 Attendance, Ref OuschanGoals: 1:0 Burgstaller (28.), 2:0 Burgstaller (38.), 3:0 Boyd (53.), 4:0 Boyd (79.)SK Rapid: Novota - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Dibon, Denner (57. Schrammel) - Wydra (13. Boskovic), Hofmann, Petsos (64. Behrendt) - Schaub, Boyd, BurgstallerWiener Neustadt: Siebenhandl - Mimm, Freitag, M. Wallner, Martschinko - Hlinka, M. Koch (80. Dobras) - Pollhammer, Rauter (46. Schöpf), Rakowitz (46. Berger) - PichlmannRed Card: Mimm (16./Dangerous play)(gw)
30.07.2013