Into the group stages - Rapid are through!Without the services of Striker Terrence Boyd and initially Brian Behrendt - for whom Harry Pichler came into the starting line up - we went into the game on Thursday against FC Dila Gori in Georgia. The mission was clear: Qualify for the Europa League Group Stages. Rapid had won the first leg in Vienna 1:0 and were determined to finish the job. However last season's runners up in the Georgian league had their own designs on qualification and wouldn't surrender their place in European competition without a fight.Good openings, fantastic goalDila Gori had been ultra defensive and had sat deep in Vienna, here they would be forced to commit more resources forwards and in the opening phase of the second leg clash they looked to get on the front foot and set our back line under pressure. Rapid stood firm though, and after getting familiar with their hostile surroundings began to impose themselves and created the first noteworthy chance of the evening: Louis Schaub played an inviting ball into the middle but Marcel Sabitzer was unable to find a way past the home keeper (20.). The Georgians weren't going to lie down however, and had a guilt edged opportunity to level the aggregate score not long after: suddenly our defence melted away somewhat and Dolidze found himself in space with just Jan Novota to beat. Thankfully our goalie remained calm and in control and denied the Georgian forward what would have been a crucial goal in a key moment (30.). This opportunity stung Rapid into a flurry of attacking activity: firstly Hofmann volleyed a cross from Sabitzer over the bar (36.), before a mazy run from Guido Burgstaller saw him weave past his opponent before unleashing a great effort against the cross bar (42.). The crucial away goal seemed to be within grasp for the Green & Whites, and they finally managed to produce it on the stroke of half time. A classic, sweeping counter attack saw Steffen Hofmann feed the ball into Louis Schaub who drilled a thunderous effort into the roof of the net - 0:1 and all important away goal in the bag (44.)!Heart in mouth moment after the breakThe goal put Rapid on the brink of qualification, with their opponents now needing to score three times to prevail. It was clear that the Georgians would have to come out all guns blazing and attempt to find an answer, and that's exactly what transpired. A long, searching ball caught the Rapid defence napping somewhat as Dolidze again stole in and found himself all alone with only Jan Novota for company. But again the Rapid keeper came out on top at a crucial time and kept the Hütteldorfer's clean sheet in tact (47.). Rapid had awoken from their slumber and again began to set the tone: a Hofmann free kick was parried behind for a corner (48.), while Sabitzer's header from the resulting set piece went a matter of inches wide (49.). The Rapid pressure continued as Sabitzer was played in with a defence splitting ball but couldn't finish - was the Rapid youngster merely finding his range though?Rapid power away to victoryAny lingering hopes Dila Gori may have had of finding a way back into the tie were brutally extinguished by an ice cool finish from our number 24: another slide rule pass, this time no chance for Goalie Revishvili who was beaten by a precise strike - 0:2 (64.)! Now with a virtually unassailable mountain to climb Dila Gori came forward in half hearted attacks, but got absolutely no change out of Novota or a defiantly resolute Rapid defence. Burgstaller, Sabitzer and Petsos all had chances to extend the advantage but the celebrating Viennese in the stands had to wait until just before the final whistle to celebrate the third and final goal of  the evening: substitute Brian Behrendt gained possession in the final third, dribbled past a couple of deflated defenders before rounding the keeper to slot home - 0:3 and cue wild celebrations from Green & White (88.)!It was the icing on a very professional and richly deserved victory for Rapid as they fulfilled their mission to take their place in the UEFA Europa League! Following the final whistle fans and players celebrated with each other after together coming through this tough examination. Eyes now turn to Monaco and Friday's draw for the Group Stages. RAPID!UEFA Europa League, Play-Off, 2nd LegDila Gori - SK Rapid 0:3 (0:1)Tblisi, Micheil-Meschi-Stadium, 24.000 Attendance, Ref Balaj (ROU)Goals: 0:1 Schaub (45.), 0:2 Sabitzer (64.), 0:3 Behrendt (88.)Dila Gori: Rewischwili - Kobachidse, Chisaneischwili, Tomaschwili (60./Kwachadse), Guruli (46./Gorelischwili) - Gongadse, Gwalia, Bolkwadse, Maisuradse (46./Modebadse) - Dolidse, IluridseSK Rapid: Novota - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Dibon, Schrammel - Petsos, Pichler - Schaub (66./Grozurek), Hofmann (81./Behrendt), Sabitzer - Burgstaller (75./Palla)Yellow Cards: Tomaschwili, Gongadse, Rewischwili, Kobachidse, Modebadse Dibon, Novota(gw)
02.09.2013